Katie Dippold has begun writing the second series of Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay after its unexpectedly strong reception. The creator said the success, including substantial online discussion and 19 Emmy nominations, has raised the profile of the comedy-horror series as she prepares its next chapter.

The writers’ room started this week and is expected to work for 20 weeks, with filming targeted for next year. Dippold said she intends to retain the straight-faced dramatic performances that underpin the comedy, while making scripts leaner after finding that dense first-series material often had to be cut in editing.