Paradise's Sterling K. Brown Warns 'Worlds Collide' When Xavier Goes Topside In Season 2 — Everything We Know

Paradise Season 1 ended on a hopeful note: Sterling K. Brown's Xavier Collins commandeered Air Force One and left his underground bunker to find his wife, Teri, whom he believed had survived a climate catastrophe/nuclear war topside.

But in Season 2, when those who were left to fend for themselves on the Earth's surface realize there's a protected Paradise elsewhere, Brown tells TVLine, things will get complicated — fast.

"So the questions that we're left with," says Brown, who also executive-produces the Hulu series, "are: Is [Xavier's] wife indeed alive? Will he indeed find her?" He chuckles as he rubs a hand over his hair, which is a bit less clean-cut than it was the last time we saw Xavier. "Is there a barbershop in the real world?"

When Paradise eventually returns, "What we will encounter is how other folks with less preparation and resources were able to manage the last three years," he previews. "And, similar to inside the bunker, we will meet people who are both nefarious and benign. And how do you decide who's who? That's to be witnessed when these two worlds collide."

Brown adds that, while President Bradford and his administration had years to prep and plan for the end of the world as they knew it, just about everyone else was caught critically unawares.

"I will define the people outside the bunker as the 'have-nots,' because they did not have perfect information, preparation — they just sort of had to figure it out," he teases. "What happens when they meet the people who have?"

Recently released photos seem to indicate that new cast member Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies) might be among the have-nots. On the topic of his new co-star, Brown confirms they share scenes, adding: "She's dope, and what she brings to Paradise is going to be incredibly memorable."

Paradise was renewed in February, a few weeks before the mystery thriller aired its answers-laden Season 1 finale in March. (Read a full recap here.) Around that time, Brown told TVLine that the story was "all laid out" and that he'd read the first three episodes of Season 2. "That s–t slaps real hard," he said of the scripts. "It's really, really, good — and I'm saying that as a fan of the show. It's really, really good. I'm excited."

So are we! Read on for everything we know so far about what to expect from the new season. And make sure to check back often for updates!

Hulu has not yet announced Paradise's Season 2 premiere date, but the show has begun shooting the sophomore run. (See Fogelman's Instagram post above.)

While we have no official intel yet regarding Season 2 storylines, it would make sense that the plot would follow Xavier as he leaves the underground cave and sets out to find his wife, Teri, whom we now know survived the apocalyptic event that sent President Bradford & Co. to the bunker. We also expect to learn more about the large numbers of people that the exploratory mission learned had made it through the climate catastrophe. (More about that here.)  

There's no official Season 2 cast list yet, but we're guessing that Sterling K. Brown (Xavier), Julianne Nicholson (Sinatra), Nicole Brydon Bloom (Jane), Krys Marshall (Robinson), Sarah Shahi (Gabriela), Charlie Evans (Jeremy), Aliyah Mastin (Presley) and Percy Daggs IV (James) will be back.

Likely not to return: Jon Beavers, whose Secret Service Agent Billy Pace was killed in Season 1. Also a question mark: James Marsden, who played President Cal Bradford in Season 1. Though Cal died in the series premiere, Marsden appeared in every episode via flashbacks. Now that his murder has been solved, however, we're not sure how involved Marsden will be with the series as it moves forward.

The drama will feature some new faces in Season 2, including Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies) as a prominent survivor who is somehow tied to Xavier's mission and Thomas Doherty (Tell Me Lies), Timothy Omundson (Psych) and Michael McGrady (The Perfect Couple) in mystery roles.

Paradise Season 2 will stream on Hulu.

There is not yet a trailer for the show's second season. But as soon as there is, we'll update this post, and you can watch it here.

Paradise Season 1 is streaming on Hulu.