Most of us won’t see the premiere episode of Westworld season 2 — “Journey Into Night” — until it airs on HBO this weekend. But last night, the show’s stars stomped the red carpet for a flashy premiere in Hollywood.
And while they were at it, they spoke to The Hollywood Reporter about what fans can expect from the new season. “You’re getting a much darker version of Dolores this year, that’s for sure,” said Even Rachel Wood (Doloros Abernathy). “Now she’s well and familiar with all sides of herself: the Dolores that we love, the darker Wyatt version, and she’s also building herself anew as we watch her throughout the season. We’ll be seeing more and more of who she really is.”
In season 1, Dolores went through a metamorphosis, going from a plucky rancher’s daughter ruthlessly victimized by the Man in Black (Ed Harris) in the season premiere to the vengeful and murderous leader of a host uprising.
Meanwhile, star Ptolemy Slocum (Body Shop lab technician Sylvester) explained how co-creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy keep the cast in the dark when it comes to the massive plot twists Westworld became famous for in season 1.
"I feel like there are three phases for someone who takes part in the show. You read it. Then you shoot it, and it’s a totally different story. Then you watch it, and it’s a totally different story. I’m about to embark on one of my favorite parts of being on the show: watching the show. It might sound like I’m bullshitting, but I’m not. It’s fascinating. So much changes."
Simon Quarterman (Westworld narrative director Lee Sizemore) said season 1 was about “setting up the world and the characters in it.” No more. “This season, we’re tearing down that structure. The container we created in season one is blown open. It’s so much more expansive this season. It’s an awful lot of fun.”
Clifton Collins Jr. (Lawrence) was also on hand. “There are awakenings happening,” he said. “How do you think Lawrence would react if he started developing a little bit of a conscience?” Lawrence, also known as El Lazo, was the leader of the Revolutionaries in season 1, and at one point decided to transport nitroglycerine in the body of his dead friend. So…having a conscience might improve his behavior.
Before the screening of the 70-minute premiere, co-creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy delivered a speech. Nolan kicked things off by talking about the inspiration behind Westworld.
"Our show is about human nature — the dark side of human nature. Our task was made vastly more difficult every day by the people we work with on our show. We were trying to hold onto [the darkness], and every day we had to work with the most talented, positive and generous collaborators — from the incredible writing-producers to the directors whose ambition never let up."
Joy, meanwhile, talked about the social awareness of the people who work on the show. “We’re a group of advocates, and we’re a group of feminists, not just in the large and incredible sweeping gestures — the heroism of testifying before congress, the heroism of advocating for communities, and the heroism of battling injustice — but also in the small private gestures.”
"Thank you for being collaborators who help us explore the dark themes of humanity while actively embodying and reaching the light. There are more stories to tell, more strides to be made, and we cannot wait to make them."
Westworld season 2 premieres on April 22 at 8:00 p.m. CST.
Next: Westworld season 2 review roundup: “Bigger, bolder, bloodier”
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