New Showtime limited series examines how the 1993 Waco siege radicalized many Americans
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Nearly 30 years after the siege of the Branch Davidians’ ranch in Waco ended, a new limited series follows the aftermath of the event.
“Waco: The Aftermath” follows the impact of the 1993 standoff between the FBI and the religious cult led by David Koresh. The first episode of the series is now streaming on Showtime and Paramount+.
Michael Shannon stars in “Waco: The Aftermath,” described as a “five-part drama series portraying the searing aftermath of the disastrous FBI 1993 standoff at the Branch Davidian compound — an event that galvanized American militia movements and helped radicalize Timothy McVeigh, Terry Nichols and many others.”
“The Aftermath” serves as a sequel series to 2018’s “Waco,” which starred Taylor Kitsch as Koresh and Shannon as FBI agent Gary Noesner. “Waco” chronicled what led up to the siege and the 51-day standoff between the FBI and Branch Davidian group.
John Leguizamo and Shea Whigham return for the sequel show, after appearing in the 2018 “Waco” series. Keean Johnson, Abbey Lee, J. Smith-Cameron, Gary Cole and Giovanni Ribisi, round out the cast for “The Aftermath.”
“Waco: The Aftermath” comes from creators Drew and John Erick Dowdle. The first episode of the five-part series is streaming now on Showtime and Paramount+, with new episodes releasing every Friday.
What happened during the 1993 Waco Siege?
On February 28, 1993, over 80 agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms raided the religious Mount Carmel Center compound near Waco.
The raid commenced after the ATF received reports that leader David Koresh and the Branch Davidian group were violating federal firearm regulations. Four ATF agents and six Branch Davidians were killed in the raid before a cease-fire was arranged.
The 51-day siege that followed drew the attention of both Texas and national media.
After several attempts at negotiations, the FBI fired tear gas canisters into the Waco compound to force out the Branch Davidians. Fiires broke out burning down the compound.
Nine Branch Davidians escaped the inferno. Federal investigators found 76 bodies inside the compound, including 25 children, according to the History Channel. Of the bodies discovered, Koresh was found with fatal gunshot wounds.
