Netflix’s nearly three-minute trailer for Shadow and Bone season two opens with the revelation that General Kirigan has created an army out of shadows and has plunged the country into darkness. It’s going to take everything Alina Starkov and Mal Oretsev have to emerge victorious against Kirigan and his unkillable army.
Author Leigh Bardugo told Netflix’s Tudum this new season differs from her trilogy. “We are going to get to see some incredible new characters,” explained Bardugo. “We’re going to see characters interacting with each other, questing with each other, fighting and laughing with each other, who we never got to see together in the books — and I think that’s a unique thing about this show.”
“We’ve […]really dug into more of the mythology this season in terms of the amplifiers, but also the creator of the amplifiers, Morozova — who he was, what his backstory is, and how he ties into this world,” stated co-showrunner and executive producer Daegan Fryklind.
Returning cast members include Ben Barnes as General Kirigan, Jessie Mei Li as Alina Starkov, Archie Renaux as Malyen Oretsev, Freddy Carter as Kaz Brekker, Amita Suman as Inej Ghafa, and Kit Young as Jesper Fahey. In addition, returning cast members Danielle Galligan as Nina Zenik, Daisy Head as Genya Safin), and Calahan Skogman as Matthias Helvar) have been promoted to series regulars.
And four new series regulars have joined the fantasy adventure series for season two. Anna Leong Brophy plays Tamar Kir-Bataar, Patrick Gibson plays Nikolai Lantsov, Jack Wolfe is Wylan Hendriks, and Lewis Tan is Tolya Yul-Bataar.
The series is based on Bardugo’s popular Grishaverse books, with Bardugo involved as an executive producer. Eric Heisserer and Daegan Fryklind are the writers and co-showrunners, and also serve as executive producers along with Shelley Meals, Loom Studios’ Pouya Shahbazian, and 21 Laps Entertainment’s Shawn Levy, Josh Barry, Dan Levine, and Dan Cohen.
The eight-episode second season premieres on Netflix on March 16, 2023.
The Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:
Alina Starkov is on the run. A beacon of hope to some and a suspected traitor to others, she’s determined to bring down the Shadow Fold and save Ravka from ruin. But General Kirigan has returned to finish what he started. Backed by a terrifying new army of seemingly indestructible shadow monsters and fearsome new Grisha recruits, Kirigan is more dangerous than ever. To stand a fighting chance against him, Alina and Mal rally their own powerful new allies and begin a continent-spanning journey to find two mythical creatures that will amplify her powers.
Back in Ketterdam, the Crows must forge new alliances as they contend with old rivals and even older grudges that threaten not only their place in the Barrel but their very lives. When a chance at a deadly heist comes their way, the Crows will once again find themselves on a collision course with the legendary Sun Summoner.
Shadow and Bone returns for a second season of new friendships, new romance, bigger battles, epic adventures — and a shocking family secret that could shatter everything.
