New season of Under the Dome begins

The fictional Maine town of Chester's Mill is Under the Dome for a second season, and author Stephen King, on whose novel the popular US TV show is based, has written the first episode for this summer's run.

The CBS miniseries that led the ratings much of last summer returned for another 13 episodes beginning on June 30, with King telling viewers that no one in Chester's Mill is assured of making it through the season alive.

"It's an interesting challenge" picking up a plot after other writers have taken it in new directions, King said during an earlier interview on the set.