FX preps ‘Sons of Anarchy’ spinoff ‘Mayans M.C.’

of Jax Teller at the end of “Sons of Anarchy,” and the new premiere of this spinoff features several “Sons” peripheral characters, including Marcus Alvarez (Emilio Rivera) and at least one more prominent “Sons” character ina flashback set eight years ago.

Mr. Sutter said he’s not inclined to bring “Sons’” main characters into “Mayans” except in flashbacks.

“I don’t want to mess with that mythology,” he said. “That mythology can live on in people’s imagination. In flashbacks we wouldn’t be stepping on what’s happening now.”

Now renewed through season 10, FX’s “AHS” returns next month for its eighth season, “AHS: Apocalypse” (10 p.m. Sept. 12), which features a crossover between the past“Murder House” and “Coven” seasons.

Pittsburgh native Billy Porter, most recently seen in FX’s “Pose,” also from executive producer Ryan Murphy, joins the “AHS” repertory for at least four episodes to play a warlock.

Jessica Lange will reprise her “Murder House” role as nosy neighbor Constance in episode six, which will be directed by series regular Sarah Paulson, who returns to play several of her past characters, including thosefrom “Murder House” and “Coven.”

“The story begins with the end of the world, and then our world begins,” said executive producer Alexis Martin Woodall.

Ms. Paulson said as the story begins her “Coven” character, Cordelia, is the supreme witch.

“That’s the title she holds. I don’t know how long that’s going to last,” she said.

Beyond that, the cast and Ms. Woodall were tight-lipped about what viewers can expect.

FX Networks CEO John Landgraf coined the term “peak TV” at a 2015 Television Critics Association press conference, predicting an abundance of scripted programming would lead to a bubble that would eventually burst.

With the continued proliferation of streaming services offering script originals that has not come to pass.

“The insane volume of new and returning series makes me suspect the golden age of television has become the gilded age of television,” Mr. Landgraf said at an FX TCA press conference. “My earlier statements that peak TV would have peaked were wrong. Now I think it’s a ways away.”

He noted the distribution of scripted content across streaming services is “coming on strong” while some channels (including A&E and Discovery) are scaling back their investment in scripted in favor of other forms of content.

Overall scripted content is up year-todate (305 to 319 original scripted series across all platforms), but down 11 percent on basic cable and down 5 percent on broadcast. Year-to-date original scripted series are up 46 percent on streaming services and up42 percent on premium cable channels.

But what was at the root of Mr. Landgraf’s original prediction stands: There’s more TV than anyone can see in a lifetime.

“There’s too much narrative,” he said, citing “narrative exhaustion” that results in an inability to surprise viewers. “It’s virtually impossible [to surprise] the audience, for something to feel truly novel. … If you want to talk about innovation and diversity it’s very good. But it’s very hard if you’re trying to surprise and delight the audience. Everything feels vaguely familiar to them.”

Just as Warner Media execs have encouraged HBO to produce more content, Mr. Landgraf understands a need to grow FX (soon to be part of the Walt Disney Co. with Disney’s purchase of the bulk of the Fox entertainment empire), but he doesn’t anticipate taking the be-all-things-to-allpeople approach of streamers like Netflix.

“I don’t see competition reality programs on FX or structured reality programs,” Mr. Landgraf said. “I see more documentary series.”

He said he’s also keen on the “interesting challenge” of exploring variety, comedy, specials and late-night programming that uphold the FX values and brand.

Netflix vice president of original series Cindy Holland revealed one of the key factors in the cancellation of a recent series that fans of Netflix programming may want to keep in mind: Watch all the episodes of Netflix shows if you want them renewed.

“It has a passionate and good audience coming in, but what we were finding is far fewer people than average were completing the season,” she said of a recently canceled original scripted series.