HBO renews ‘Ballers’ with Dwayne Johnson for Season 2

HBO has more football, tailored suits and wild yacht parties in its future: The premium cable network has renewed “Ballers” for a second season.

The Miami-set comedy stars box-office behemoth Dwayne Johnson as pill-popping football-star-turned-financial-manager Spencer Strasmore, who wheels and deals to secure the finances (and futures) of young NFL players. The summer series also stars John David Washington, Omar Miller, Donovan W. Carter, Troy Garity, London Brown Jazmyn Simon and Rob Corddry.

The 10-episode first season kicked off on June 21. The first episode garnered 8.9 million viewers across HBO’s branded platforms, making it HBO’s most watched first episode of a half-hour series since 2009, the network said.

“The charismatic and hugely talented Dwayne Johnson, along with the rest of the ‘Ballers’ cast, has truly struck a chord with the HBO audience,” HBO Programming President Michael Lombardo said in a statement. “We are thrilled with the overwhelming response the series has received and look forward to another exciting season.”

“BIG NEWS: @HBO orders SEASON 2 of #BALLERS. All due to you - the ballin’ fans - makin’ our show a huge hit. #BallOut,” Johnson, the “Furious 7” and “San Andreas” star, tweeted Friday. The former wrestler also posted a note thanking fans of the show.

Created by “Entourage” writer and “Boardwalk Empire” executive producer Stephen Levinson, the show has a strong “Entourage” presence and feel due in part to the returning crew, including directors Peter Perg and Julian Farino and executive producers Mark Wahlberg, Rob Weiss and Denis Biggs.

Johnson, Dany Garcia, Evan Reilly also serve as executive producers.

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