HBO’s Brazilian crime drama City of God: The Fight Rages On will return for its second season Nov. 8, continuing the story inspired by the acclaimed 2002 film City of God. The six-episode season will premiere on HBO Latino in the United States and be available to stream globally on HBO Max.
Before its television debut, the new season will receive its world premiere Oct. 9 at the 28th Rio Film Festival. The screening, part of the festival’s Première Brasil: Especial Séries Brasileiras program, will take place at Cine Odeon in Rio de Janeiro, with cast members, directors, producers and special guests expected to attend.
Produced by O2 Filmes, the series returns to Rio de Janeiro’s City of God community, where escalating violence, political corruption and battles for territorial control shape residents’ daily lives. The second season picks up after the death of drug lord Curió, setting off a violent struggle among competing forces seeking control of the area.
As the conflict intensifies, several characters pursue different paths to confront the challenges facing their community. Newly elected councilwoman Berenice, played by Roberta Rodrigues, takes on political corruption and the growing influence of militias. Meanwhile, lawyer Jerusa, portrayed by Andréia Horta, seeks revenge against those responsible for destroying her family.
Leka, played by Luellem de Castro, turns to culture, funk music and dance parties as a way to bring residents together. Her efforts offer an alternative to the violence surrounding the community, emphasizing the role of music and collective expression in fostering unity and hope.
The upcoming season also brings back Matheus Nachtergaele as Cenoura, a character he originated in the 2002 film. Following his release from prison, Cenoura returns to the neighborhood he left behind, confronting a community transformed by shifting alliances and new struggles for power.
Other returning cast members include Alexandre Rodrigues, Sabrina Rosa, Kiko Marques, Dhonata Augusto, Victor Andrade, Carol Dall Farra, Rafael Lozano, Shirley Cruz and Otavio Linhares.
The series is directed by Aly Muritiba and produced by Andrea Barata Ribeiro and Fernando Meirelles. The creative team includes co-producers Cris Abi and Gustavo Gontijo, with Bruno Costa serving as episodic director and Thatiane Almeida as episode co-director.
The writing team is led by Maíra Oliveira and Paulo Lins, with script supervision by Patrícia Andrade and contributions from Estevão Ribeiro, Luiz Guilherme Assis, Rodrigo Felha, Clara Meirelles and Vicente Ferraz. Executive producers include Mariano Cesar, Anouk Aaron and Vanessa Miranda.
Building on the original film’s portrayal of life amid crime and social inequality, the second season expands its focus to examine how politics, justice, culture and community resistance intersect. Through its returning characters and new conflicts, City of God: The Fight Rages On continues exploring the forces shaping life in one of Brazil’s most recognizable fictional neighborhoods.
The second season premieres Nov. 8 on HBO Latino and streams globally on HBO Max.