The second season focuses on the story of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl

As previously rumored, Serial's new season will focus on the controversial story of Sergeant Bowe Bergdahl — the American soldier who left his post in Afghanistan in 2009 and was subsequently captured by the Taliban. "Dustwun" begins with host Sarah Koenig describing Bergdahl’s return to the US in May 2014, when he was swapped for five prisoners from Guantánamo Bay. It then moves onto the unfolding reaction in the US, as questions arose as to whether or not Bergdahl was a deserter. In March this year Bergdahl was officially charged with desertion and "misbehavior before the enemy," although a decision about whether he will go before a court-martial has yet to be reached.

In the new episode of Serial, Bergdahl tells his story publicly for the first time, speaking to screenwriter Mark Boal. According to Vanity Fair, there will also be a "movie component" to the new season, with episodes of the podcast reportedly leading to a film by Zero Dark Thirty director Kathryn Bigelow. (Although a film by Bigelow — and a rival project by director Todd Field — will have to wait until Bergdahl's case is resolved before going forward.)