On Syfy's Killjoys, the stakes are higher than ever as the series goes into its second season.
The Quad is on the brink of an interplanetary war, and although the crew of Lucy, as bounty hunters, have sworn to remain neutral in events, their histories just might not let them do that. Can they deal with the sins of their pasts to save their futures?
The stars of Killjoys — Hannah John-Kamen, Aaron Ashmore and Luke Macfarlane — recently spoke to press about what fans can expect in the show's second season and also talked about the pressure that comes with following up on its excellent first season.
Within their organization, Killjoys rise in rank through levels. One in particular remains a mystery: Level 6. Although we've seen hints of what a Level 6 Killjoy is, it still remains an enigma. Now that D'Avin (Macfarlane) has reached that level, though, will we finally learn more about it?
"You know, I remember being very concerned about it," Macfarlane said. "Oh, what are we going to do with my character? Finally, I'm in Level 6. So, I think what we can tease is that we learn a lot more about what a Level 6 is. That it's not as simple and it's not as good and evil as we originally thought. I think I'll also tease by saying it's what makes the Level 6 that becomes a big story point, the actual physical sort of makeup of a Level 6, that becomes a big clear point."
So, what can fans expect during Killjoys' second season? The cast spoke about that, including moments they're excited for fans to see.
"Well, definitely I think this season, what fans definitely need to expect is the world is a lot bigger," said John-Kamen. "And we just discovered Arkyn, and with that comes really, really awesome new and exciting characters."
Although fans have seen some of Dutch's past, John-Kamen hinted that more of her backstory will soon become relevant.
"We'll be seeing so much more of her past come to life and that's the real battle — that Dutch herself [struggles] with what's good and what's evil," she said.
John-Kamen also promises that fans will soon see a different side of Khlyen.
"So with Khlyen and Dutch, it's really obviously [a] very complicated, conflicted relationship, because he's the guy that she just wants to hate," she said. "And obviously, at the end of season one, he's taken D'Avin away. And we know that he has. But definitely with Khlyen, there's going to be more of an understanding of why he's done what he did — why he's done what he's done in the past. And I think for an audience member as well, it's going to be a bit harder to just see Khlyen as the bad guy, I mean there's more understanding of his character."
Ashmore spoke about the changes the show will see in its second season, especially with the challenges the team overcame in season one.
"I think on some level — even though we sort of explore the team sort of being pulled apart in the first season and this world sort of being torn apart, we really continue with that and sort [out] what that's going to look like and how is our team going to stick together through all these insane things that are about to happen to them," he said.
Season one saw a lot of character growth, particularly for D'Avin.
"I think, for D'Avin, I think, his relationship to both of them is defined by this acceptance that you can't kind of control people," Macfarlane said. "Because I think his whole life leading up to (inaudible), he can control people, whether that's violence or over sex. And here, he's with two people that he can't control and it's open, kind of softens him in a very deep way that can make relationships deeper."
Following up a successful first season brings with it a lot of challenges, as well as pressure.
"I think, for me as an actor, I mean this and season one as well, taking on a role that is, it requires a lot of emotional strengths, a lot of physical strengths," John-Kamen said. "And suddenly for this season the stakes are higher and especially with other characters you should love and [be] close to. And so I think — I think this season with stakes being raised so high, I find the emotional strengths that the character has and trying to hide it as well. So it's that — it's that conflict within Dutch. It's yes, that was very tough for me this season."
Ashmore agreed.
"I think, yes Hannah, you're right about this, sort of ... what I think is really difficult about this, doing the show — and I think you touched on it, Hannah — are the stakes," he said. "There are no scenes. There's no time where we're just kind of sitting around and it's just chill and it's really conversational. It's always — and as much as it keeps the tone of it, fun and moving in that — it's very fast-paced like there's always so much going on in these scenes, there's always tons of information, there's tons of emotional stuff in every scene, in every episode."
Killjoys returns to Syfy on July 1 at 9 p.m. EDT.
