Okay James Marsden fans get ready! Our favorite charming actor is back in a brand new series and it's a wild ride. He's starring in Hulu's 'Paradise' a show that's part sci-fi thriller part political drama and all kinds of bonkers. But that's not even the craziest part - turns out he and his co-star Sterling K. Brown are quite the musical duo behind the scenes! Let's dive into all the juicy details about 'Paradise' Season 1 the upcoming Season 2 and Marsden's secret singing talent.
'Paradise' on Hulu: More Than Just a Pretty Face (Starring James Marsden!)
If you haven't checked out ' Paradise ' yet you are missing out on some seriously addictive TV. This show is not your average drama. It throws you into a world that's a crazy mix of genres. Think intense personal stories like 'This Is Us' (from the same creator Dan Fogelman) but then crank up the sci-fi thriller mystery and political intrigue to eleven. Seriously this show is a lot and that's what makes it so gripping.
James Marsden plays President Cal Bradford in 'Paradise'. Now Cal is not your typical president. He is described as a "jocular nepo baby" kind of like a more liberal George W. Bush type. Marsden brings his signature charm to the role even though things get seriously dark around him. Let's just say being president in a post-apocalyptic world climate-controlled bunker is not all smooth sailing especially when you end up well… murdered. Yep things kick off with President Bradford meeting an untimely end and that sets off a whole chain of events.
James Marsden & Sterling K. Brown: Secret Musical Theater Stars?
Here's a fun fact that came out recently. James Marsden and Sterling K. Brown who plays Secret Service agent Xavier Collins in 'Paradise' are apparently quite the singing partners on set. Sterling K. Brown spilled the beans on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'. He mentioned that Marsden loves to harmonize. Apparently Brown will just be humming a melody and Marsden will jump in with perfect harmonies "killing it every time" according to Brown.
Brown himself is a big musical theater fan and even belted out a few lines from 'For Good' from 'Wicked' on Colbert's show. So now we are all picturing Marsden and Brown breaking out into impromptu duets between takes on the 'Paradise' set. Maybe Season 2 will have a surprise musical episode? We can only dream!
'Paradise' Season 1 Finale: Bonkers Twists and Turns (Spoiler Alert!)
If you powered through 'Paradise' Season 1 you know just how twisty and turny it gets. The finale especially is a lot to take in. Remember that mystery about who killed the president? Well it gets "solved" but in a way that's almost besides the point by the end. Turns out the killer is a librarian named Eli (who is secretly a disgruntled ex-construction manager) and his motive is… complicated and involves arsenic poisoning and climate catastrophe. Yeah told you it was bonkers.
But the real kicker is the reveal that the world outside the bunker isn't actually totally destroyed. About 55 million people survived including Xavier's wife Teri. This whole time the bunker's creator billionaire Samantha Redmond (played brilliantly by Julianne Nicholson) has been keeping this secret to maintain control. Xavier spends most of the season trying to solve the murder but by the finale it’s all about escaping the bunker finding his wife and dealing with the fallout from Redmond's lies.
The finale is packed with even more wild stuff: kidnappings betrayals secret recordings and a very unsettling Nintendo Wii plot point (seriously you have to see it to believe it). It all ends with Xavier leaving the bunker in a plane determined to find his wife and explore this not-so-destroyed world outside. Cliffhanger alert!
'Paradise' Season 2 is Officially Happening! What We Know So Far
Good news 'Paradise' fans! Hulu has officially renewed the show for a second season. Get ready for more twists turns and probably even more bonkers reveals. Creator Dan Fogelman promises Season 2 will "turn what you thought the first season was... a little bit on its head." Intriguing right?
Season 2 will pick up right where Season 1 left off. We will follow Xavier on his mission to find his wife Teri outside the bunker. Fogelman said Season 2 will live in "both worlds" meaning we'll see what's happening with Xavier in the outside world and also check back in with the bunker and its residents. Eventually these two worlds are set to collide. Sounds intense!
As for the cast expect to see Sterling K. Brown back as Xavier Julianne Nicholson as Samantha Redmond (yes even after that finale ending) Nicole Brydon Bloom as Jane Krys Marshall as Agent Robinson and Sarah Shahi as Dr. Torabi. Enuka Okuma Aliyah Mastin and Percy Daggs IV are also likely to return as Xavier's family.
No release date yet but Fogelman is hoping for an early 2026 premiere. Scripts are being written and filming is set to start in April 2025. Fogelman wants to get Season 2 out relatively quickly so fans don't have to wait too long which is great news for impatient binge-watchers like us.
Paradise Season 2: What to Expect - Key Things to Watch For
- Xavier's Journey Outside the Bunker: Season 2 will heavily focus on Xavier's quest to find his wife Teri in the outside world which is not as destroyed as everyone in Paradise believes. Expect a whole new setting and challenges.
- The Bunker World Continues: We will still spend time in the Paradise bunker and see how life goes on (and probably gets even more complicated) for those left behind especially with Samantha Redmond still in the picture.
- Worlds Colliding: The outside world and the bunker world are on a collision course. How and when these worlds clash is a major question for Season 2.
- Returning Cast: Expect to see all your favorite (and maybe not-so-favorite) characters back including Sterling K. Brown Julianne Nicholson and more.
- Release Window: Hoping for an early 2026 premiere on Hulu. Production starts in April 2025.
James Marsden in 'Paradise': Get Ready for More Twists Tunes and Bunker Drama
So get ready for more 'Paradise' because Season 2 is officially on the way. James Marsden and Sterling K. Brown will be back in this wild genre-bending series that keeps you guessing at every turn. With singing co-stars a bonkers storyline and a whole new world to explore 'Paradise' Season 2 is shaping up to be even more intense surprising and emotional than the first. Buckle up it's going to be another crazy ride!