It’s been almost four years since Leah Remini and her family left the Church of Scientology. In that time, the actress has published her 2015 memoir Troublemaker: Surviving Hollywood and Scientology, launched an A&E docuseries called Leah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, and spoken publicly numerous times about her experience with the controversial religion founded by L. Ron Hubbard, all with the express purpose of revealing to the world the financial and social abuses faced by followers of Scientology, and the harassment and heavy repercussions waiting for those who attempt to leave it. After all that, it turns out Remini is just getting started.
The Hollywood Reporter announced this morning that A&E has renewed Scientology and the Aftermath for a ten episode second season, which will likely air this summer. The nine-episode first season premiered last November. “The way the organization has responded without taking responsibility for what they do to people, I need to continue,” Remini told The Hollywood Reporter. “It would be another [scenario] if they stopped trying to discredit everyone’s stories and said, ‘If you don’t like it, don’t be part of Scientology.’” The Church of Scientology has been critical of the show, which features Remini having candid conversations with ex-Scientology members about their time with and their exit from the church, but as of yet has not pursued any legal action against her or the show. In a statement to THR, however, the Church suggests ex-Scientologists who appear on Aftermath are being paid for their participation, writing, “Real transparency would be for A&E to detail all forms of compensation made to sources spreading religious hate and bigotry on Leah Remini’s show.”
