Fox’s X-Men-related TV show The Gifted is returning for its sophomore run this fall and Entertainment Weekly has now given us our first glimpse at what to expect when the series, starring Stephen Moyer, Amy Acker and others, makes a comeback.
The dramatic image seen below teases that season 2 will jump forward 6 months to when Polaris (Emma Dumont) is about to go into labor with her and Eclipse’s baby. Surrounding her are new addition Reeva Payge (Grave Byers), one of the Frost triplets (Skyler Samuels) and Andy Strucker (Percy Hynes White), who can be seen with a new white hairdo.
Fans will remember that season 1 left off with a schism forming between the mutant survivors. The pregnant Polaris, Andy and a bunch of others left the Mutant Underground group to join up with the revived Hellfire Club, determined to fight for mutant rights in a more militant way. Left behind were Polaris’ lover Eclipse and Andy’s family, Reed, Caitlin and Lauren Strucker (Natalie Alyn Lind).
Obviously, the Hellfire Club – originally featured in X-Men: First Class – can’t be trusted, and neither can newcomer Reeva Payge, based on the Black Queen from the comics who can generate sonic blasts. “They have big plans, and Polaris is a big part of those plans,” showrunner Matt Nix teased to EW about the Club.
As for Polaris’ pregnancy, Dumont is excited for how having her baby will affect her character, the green-haired daughter of Magneto. “We saw at the end of last season that the baby really affected her powers and made her stronger,” the actress told EW. “We don’t know what this labor will do.”
Dumont went on to point out that a mutant pregnancy was a first for the X-Men franchise, too, saying:
“We’ve never seen in any Marvel media, and sort of show or TV, a mutant pregnancy and then a mutant delivery. This is kind of a pinnacle moment. I feel very honored to be part of Marvel history in this way. It’s super cool!”
Look out for more news on The Gifted season 2 at Fox’s panel dedicated to the show at San Diego Comic-Con, which will take place on Saturday, July 21st.
