Strong empowered women will continue to shine on Westworld

Thanks to the recent panel at SXSW 2018, we know that the women of Westworld will take center stage in Season 2 and we couldn’t be happier about it.

Westworld Season 1 was incredible for many reasons. It wove an impressive story that kept fans guessing, but at its core, it was a character study. We followed as the hosts began to question their reality and began to root for their freedom by whatever means they chose. And out of all the characters, Maeve and Dolores were the most beloved.

Heading into Season 2, the women of Westworld look to set the world on fire. Dolores and Maeve have both reached the center of the maze and mean to take control of their destinies. Recently, during the Westworld panel at SXSW 2018, Wood and Newton commented of the shape of things to come in Season 2. In fact, they specifically spoke about their characters and what it’s like to embody these women.

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Evan Rachel Wood And Thandie Netwon Talk About Playing Strong Empowered Women On Westworld

During the

Westworld

panel at SXSW Thandie Newton and Evan Rachel Wood were asked many questions about their characters. Specifically, the moderator asked Netwon what it was like to play Maeve in a genre usually dominated by male leads. Netwon’s response was amazing, and brought the crowd to their feet:

"“Normal! It felt fucking normal to be powerful. Sigourney Weaver in Alien, that was ages ago. I named my kid Ripley because that’s a woman I recognize."

Wood added to Newton’s comments, and referenced the current climate in Hollywood:

"“I don’t feel confined. Art is imitating life – we are doing this for a reason. Playing this role has completely transformed me.”"

Evan Rachel Wood Comments On Her Role As Dolores

Wood then went on at length about Dolores and spoke to how she has been influenced by the role. The character of Dolores is close to her heart, which shines through in her performance. Here’s what she said regarding her work on

Westworld

:

"“I’ve always said playing this role completely changed my life and transformed me, and it’s hard not to go through this same evolutionary shifts as the characters because you’re on the journey with them. And you don’t get to know what happens to them, and you don’t get to mentally prepare, and the existential crisis there is very real.”"

Thandie Newton Comments On How Working On Westworld Is Different From Other Projects

Newton began talking about her experience working in Hollywood. Specifically, about how she appreciates the writers, cast and crew of

Westworld

. She spoke on Westworld’s ability to give women the spotlight in a male-dominated genre:

"“[It can be hard for men working] an environment where a woman is taking any kind of control in any kind of position of authority. I just want to play truth, and very often the truth of the characters I play as a woman is that she’s powerful, she’s intelligent, [and] she’s able to multitask. So, I want to give it up massively to the fucking men on our show to have the generosity of spirit, to have the sophistication, the progressiveness to put a platform up for women.”"

Based on everything that was said, it looks like strong women will continue to be a staple of Westworld. The show has broken many conventions about what the genre can be. And based on its success, it’s fair to say that the fans appreciate it. We can’t wait to see Evan Rachel Wood and Thandie Newton kick ass in Season 2. Hopefully, we will see more footage and get more details in the coming weeks.

Next: Meet The New Cast Members Of Westworld Season 2

We still have a few months until Westworld Season 2 drops. Until then, we will continue to speculate on anything and everything Westworld.

Westworld Season 2 will premiere on HBO Sunday, April 22, 2018 9PM/EST

Make sure you follow our Twitter and Facebook pages for everything you need to know regarding Westworld Season 2.

(Sources: Deadline; Variety)