The Wachowski’s trippy Sense8 is returning in May for Season 2, and Netflix have released a series of photos today to stoke anticipation during the long wait. In the first outing we got to know the eight characters as they discovered their telepathic powers, exploring each other’s lives and defending one another from the villainous ‘Whispers.’
The big difference this time around is is that Capheus has been recast, with Toby Onwumere taking over from Aml Ameed as Capheus “Van Damme.” Apparently, production was troubled by conflict between Ameen and series co-creator/exec producer/director Lana Wachowski, while sources indicate that tempers flared during a table read in Berlin and only got worse as filming moved to India. Whatever happened, Ameed left the show under a cloud and a replacement was needed.
We first got our taste of Onwumere during the Christmas special a few months back, but season 2 marks his first full run at the character. Joining him are returning stars Tuppence Middleton (Riley), Tina Desai (Kala), Miguel Angel Silvestre (Lito), Doona Bae (Sun), Jamie Clayton (Nomi), Brian J. Smith (Will) and Max Riemelt (Wolfgang).
For more on what to expect, check out Netflix’s plot summary below:
“Capheus, Kala, Lito, Nomi, Riley, Sun, Will and Wolfgang come together both physically and mentally, plunged into the middle of each other’s tragedies and triumphs. On the run from Whispers, and forced to question their very identity, it’s a matter of survival as the Sensates must find a way to live with, understand and protect one another against all odds.”
The Wachowskis have had a rocky time ever since The Matrix propelled them to megastars. The sequels landed with a collective “huh?!” and subsequent projects Speed Racer, Cloud Atlas and Jupiter Ascending all failed at the box office. I personally enjoyed each of those (yes, even Jupiter Ascending), but I also realized that Hollywood wasn’t going to keep funding their weirdo passion projects. Regardless, Sense8 has been well received so far and fans will no doubt be eagerly anticipating whatever’s in store for these telepathic adventurers next.
