‘The Wilds’ Guys Address Subverting Expectations With Season 2 Debut

Kane Skennar/Amazon Studios

Setting in. Season 2 of The Wilds introducing a new island filled with all boys, the pressure was on to tell a unique story of survival — and the newcomers were up for the challenge.

The Prime Video series’ new episodes, which were released on Friday, May 6th, stars Charles AlexanderAnd Alex FitzalanI was able to discover many layers within their characters which offered some important commentary about subverting labels.

“That’s something that really drew me to the show in the first place was just seeing how the first season presented these archetypal characters, and then you can’t help but make a judgment of them,” Alexander, who plays Kirin, exclusively told Us WeeklyThe second season is already in progress. “Then as the story progresses, it flips your perspective and you’re left feeling like, ‘Oh, don’t judge a book by its cover.’”

The Mother DearestHe was pleased with the way Kirin ended up going. “He is the emblem, or at least he presents as the emblem, of toxic masculinity and the lacrosse team is just so on the nose,” he said. “But very early on I had some great meetings with [creator and executive producer] Sarah Streicher and understood that there’s a deep wound there and that drives him. He’s very vulnerable beneath this exterior.”

'The Wilds' Guys Address Subverting Expectations With Their Season 2 Debut: 'Flips Your Perspective'
Kane Skennar/Amazon Studios

Fitzalan (26), had to undergo an onscreen transformation, as Seth struggled to find the right balance between his need for love and his secret identity, as the operative. These internal conflicts culminated in a shocking decision by Seth, who sexually assaulted Josh.Nicholas Coombe(At the end of Episode 4.

“Learning about what happens was quite an intense experience and I was petrified to, to film this [or]It is illegal to film any type of assault in this manner. But we had chats and there was a lot of trust in making sure we do it right,” The SocietyAlum explained Us. “[There was also] making sure that the intention of everything comes across because it is such an important part of the boys’ storyline as we switch from quite lighthearted first four episodes to a darker in tone final four. It is just trusting in the creators and that everything will come together in a really impactful way.”

Josh initially decided not to tell anyone, but Kirin, Josh’s new friend quickly convinces him. Coombe, 27 years old, was able to take on the complex twist and push his acting abilities. “Episode 4 is a life-changing moment for Josh. So as the actor, you read that in the script for the first time and it’s one of those things where you have to reread it 3 or 4 times to really process what’s on the page,” the Lost City of Gold star detailed. “In order to do a scene like that, it required a lot of prep to be honest with you.”

Coombe praised the “really important” work that went on behind the scenes in order to approach the story “in the best way possible” for the audience. “After seeing how it all came together, it was such a powerful, gut-wrenching and heartbreaking scene. I think it came across the way that we planned and that was something special,” he added.

Seth was dealing with the consequences of his actions and Josh began to feel secure with the help of the other boys. “[Josh] is the kind of person that wants so badly to fit in with people that he’ll say something and he’ll just not think about it and it will go a little too far. But he genuinely is trying to be that nice kid,” Coombe continued. “He [starts out] being this clueless, neurotic and innocent kid and goes through this massive change on the island where afterward the others really give him the opportunity to be heard.”

Josh’s connection with Kirin helped both of the boys feel comfortable in their new roles on the island. Alexander spoke out about the growth Kirin experienced because of Josh’s friendship. “The audience sees this vulnerability for the first time in [Kirin] during that interaction with Josh in episode five, where he confides in him,” the actor recalled. “We see Kirin drop it all and just accept him. He is the protector, and he shows a different kind strength to aggression. He is protective, nurturing and caring for the weakest member of the group.”

Fans also got to see Ivan grow through his experience on the island — which was interesting for Miles Gutierrez-RileyTo take on.

'The Wilds' Guys Address Subverting Expectations With Their Season 2 Debut: 'Flips Your Perspective'
Kane Skennar/Amazon Studios

“Ivan obviously brings his opinion to the table pretty quickly and pretty readily. But to have different dynamics across the ensemble, who have different ways of approaching things, it’s like you’re always feeding off of someone else’s energy and that’s only fueling your own desires and actions even more,” Gutierrez-Riley told Use. “The most exciting thing about a show like this is that we’re constantly problem-solving and navigating these very emotional touchy situations.”

Looking ahead, the Moon & BackActor pointed out that Ivan could push him further in a season 3. “Ivan learns by the end of it that compassion, empathy, sensitivityAnd understanding first is just as powerful as standing up for himself,” he concluded. “Ivan has a lot of potential to be a community leader. He’s very intelligent and funny. If he pairs that with his ability to stand up for what he believes is right, and this new understanding of emotional intelligence and vulnerability, that to me makes for someone who could be a great leader or one who can bring people together.”

Tanner Ray Rook and Reed ShannonBo and Scotty were best friends and had their own hopes and dreams for their characters now that they are all stranded together.

“I would like to see a bit more of Bo’s dark side. We don’t see too much of it, but there’s an anger and a darkness that’s in him that I think even he’s scared to touch and let out,” Rook teased. “But considering the situation that he’s in, I think that’s probably the only way left to go.”

Shannon, 21, would like to see Scotty assume a greater leadership role. “Scotty’s one of the more practical people out of both islands. I would love for him to take a swing at mine. [Barack] Obama style,” he shared with Use. “He’s gotta take his rightful place as a head decision-maker so that we don’t all end up dying in a bunker or something like that.”

Season 2 The WildsPrime Video now streams the film.

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