Ahead of its Halloween premiere, Starz Original series Ash Vs. Evil Dead has earned an early renewal for a second season from Starz. Strong fan, affiliate and distributor demand for the highly-anticipated premiere of Ash vs Evil Dead has generated the early pickup of the series which is the long-awaited follow-up to the classic horror film The Evil Dead. Ash Vs. Evil Dead Season 1 is slated for a 10-episode run, but it isn't known how many episodes were ordered for Season 2.

Executive producers and The Evil Dead original filmmakers Sam Raimi, Rob Tapert and Bruce Campbell will return for the second season with executive producer and showrunner Craig DiGregorio. Campbell will continue in his role as Ash Williams, the aging lothario and chainsaw-handed monster hunter. Lucy Lawless (Salem, Spartacus) is also returning as Ruby, a mysterious figure who believes Ash is the cause of the Evil outbreaks. Here's what Starz Managing Director Carmi Zlotnik had to say in her statement.

"One season isn't enough to satisfy the fans' two decade-long appetite for more Ash. The early fan and press support, along with the international broadcaster demand for more story have made it clear that the adventures of Ash Williams can't end with Season 1."

Starz recently announced global licensing deals with broadcasters and digital platforms in more than 100 countries and territories worldwide allowing Ash Vs. Evil Dead to premiere simultaneously with its network premiere in the U.S. on October 31. Broadcasters and digital providers offering Ash Vs. Evil Dead on October 31 include Amedia (Russia/CIS), C More (Scandinavia), Fox Action on Fox+ Premium service/Fox Latin America Channels (Latin America/Brazil), Sky TV (New Zealand), Stan (Australia), Starz Play Arabia (Middle East/North Africa) and Super Channel (Canada). Starz will retain all domestic and international multiplatform rights including television, home entertainment and digital.

The 10-episode first season of the half-hour series features Bruce Campbell (Evil Dead, Burn Notice) as Ash Williams; Lucy Lawless (Salem, Spartacus) as Ruby a mysterious figure who believes Ash is the cause of the Evil outbreaks; Ray Santiago (Touch, Meet the Fockers) as Pablo Simon Bolivar, an idealistic immigrant who becomes Ash's loyal sidekick; Dana DeLorenzo (A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas) as Kelly Maxwell, a moody wild child trying to outrun her past; and Jill Marie Jones (Sleepy Hollow) as Amanda Fisher, a disgraced Michigan State Trooper set to find our anti-hero Ash and prove his responsibility in the grisly murder of her partner. Stay tuned for more on Ash Vs. Evil Dead as we get closer to the October 31 series premiere on Starz. Are you glad the show is already coming back for a second season?