Hope in the Water will return with new episodes. PBS has renewed the nature docuseries for a second season. New episodes will air in 2027.
“PBS today announced that the hit series HOPE IN THE WATER has begun production on season two. From four-time James Beard Award and Emmy Award winner Chef Andrew Zimmern and his production company Intuitive Content (MSNBC’s “What’s Eating America,” “Family Dinner,” “Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen,” “Feral”), and David E. Kelley, executive advisor to the series, HOPE IN THE WATER follows the people on the front lines of one of the most urgent challenges of our time: feeding a planet of over 8 billion people while supporting the freshwater systems and oceans that make life possible.
The three-episode season, coming to PBS in 2027, traces a single, powerful idea: that the future of food is being written right now, by ordinary people making extraordinary choices. The oceans and our freshwater systems are not lost. But they need us – and HOPE IN THE WATER introduces us to the people who refused to look away.
Season one of HOPE IN THE WATER was met with rave reviews. Forbes noted that it was “engaging and interesting, and most importantly inspiring,” and The Wall Street Journal called it “not just fascinating, but upbeat.” Additionally, the “Farming the Water” episode received an Outstanding Science and Technology Coverage Emmy Award nomination and the series was nominated in the Docuseries Visual Media category as part of the 2025 James Beard Media Awards.
“HOPE IN THE WATER sets out to tell hopeful, solution-driven stories about the future of our oceans and our food. It’s evident that these stories resonate, and we’re excited to continue the journey with PBS – exploring even more of the people and ideas helping to shape a more sustainable future,” said Kelley.
Returning for season two is celebrated environmental enthusiast and 2026 Emmy Award-nominated actress for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series, Shailene Woodley, who said, “From the start, HOPE IN THE WATER has been about elevating the people creating real solutions for our oceans. Continuing this journey with the series feels deeply meaningful, especially as the need for sustainable change grows more urgent. I’m honored to continue to build on the momentum and to keep sharing stories that inspire hope and action for our planet.”
Joining Woodley this season are Emmy and James Beard award-winning chef, television personality and two-time 2026 Emmy Award nominee Andrew Zimmern and three-time Emmy-nominated host of Top Chef, Kristen Kish, earning her third straight nomination for Outstanding Host in 2026
To view season one on PBS Passport, visit the HOPE IN THE WATER show page. Viewers are also encouraged to engage in online conversation about the series by tagging @PBS and using #HopeInTheWaterPBS on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
As part of the larger long-term impact campaign led by the nonprofit Fed by Blue, HOPE IN THE WATER seeks to inspire action around sustainable blue foods. The mission of Fed by Blue is to provide and inspire visionaries, thought leaders, ocean lovers, activists, early adopters, foodies, and consumers with the knowledge and materials to help protect and participate in a responsible blue food system.
Funding for the second season of HOPE IN THE WATER was provided by the Builders Vision, LLC and the Walton Family Foundation.”
The premiere date for season two will be announced later.
What do you think? Did you watch the first season of this PBS series? Do you plan to watch season two?
