Feb 14, 2017 09:58 PM EST By Donna Mills, UniversityHerald Reporter

The second season of Ryan Murphy's "American Crime Story" will focus on the devastating aftermath of the 2005 tragedy Hurricane Katrina. Expectations are already big for Season 2's lead star, Annette Bening, but fans are bound to get disappointed now that the new season's premiere date has been delayed.

It's been a year since Season 1, which followed the O.J. Simpson murder trial, premiered on FX. The network's President of Programming John Landgraf, however, confirmed that Season 2 won't be released until 2018.

According to Landgraf, the delay was due to the "American Crime Story" team's great ambitions for the second season. That involves developing the story material, the characters and the show's bigger themes in their own pace, Cinema Blend reported.

Added Landgraf, shooting in New Orleans is not a simple matter either because they have to take the city's hurricanes in consideration. The crew can only shoot scenes there during specific months.

Bening will portray Kathleen Blanco, the governor of Louisiana during and after Hurricane Katrina occurred. Blanco, whose term as governor lasted from 2004 to 2008, managed the evacuation and immediate response for the hurricane's victims.

Many are assuming that the actress' portrayal will bag awards or nominations from popular award-giving bodies such as the Emmys, Golden Globes, SAG and BAFTA. Murphy is known for boosting and reinvigorating the careers of his shows' lead actresses, Vanity Fair pointed out.

This was evident in Jessica Lange and Kathy Bates, two of the horror anthology's lead stars until the former left after Season 4. Sarah Paulson and Lady Gaga can also credit their award-winning performances in the series to Murphy. There's no reason why Bening's case will be different.

Season 2 is based on Douglas Brinkley's book titled "The Great Deluge: Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast," Decider reported. Murphy said that the new season will follow six to eight people who experienced Hurricane Katrina from different sides. He's treating the event as a crime because of how the authorities mishandled the numerous victims of the tragedy "who didn't have a strong voice."

Storylines for Seasons 3 and 4 of "American Horror Story" were already announced. The third season will focus on Gianni Versace's murder in 1997, while Season 4 will tackle Bill Clinton's sex scandal involving Monica Lewinsky.

Are you excited for Season 2? Do you think that Bening will receive numerous awards for her starring role? Share your thoughts below!

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