HANNA S2
The Amazon show returns with more thrills, more spills and 100 per cent more Dermot Mulroney.
THE STUDENT BECOMES THE MENTOR
S1 of Hanna followed a similar trajectory to the 2011 film it was adapted from, only with an additional revelation at the end: Hanna (Esme Creed-Miles) discovers a mysterious UTRAX facility containing a new set of young female trainee assassins. After her father, Erik (Joel Kinnaman), dies and Hanna rescues one of the girls, Clara (Yasmin Monet Prince), S2 is set up for a significant role-reversal. “She replicates the exact life in the forest that [Hanna and Erik] led together, but this time with Clara as the ‘child’ and Hanna as the protector,” explains writer David Farr, who also co-wrote the original film. “Hanna grows deeply fond of Clara. But Clara yearns to leave and find her real mother.”
THE ENEMY HAS A CHANGE OF HEART
It became clear in S1 that baddie Marissa (Mireille Enos) is haunted by her past actions and, in this new season, her loyalty to villainous corporation UTRAX is shaken even further as she begins to see Hanna in a new light. “All the emotional mess inside her, her strange attachment to this young girl whom she started out wanting to kill… that crystallises into a loathing of the organisation that she once served,” explains Farr. “Marissa becomes a real resistance heroine in this season.”
WE SEE WHO IS PULLING THE STRINGS
Enter a new bad guy for S2 in the form of John Carmichael (Dermot Mulroney). Carmichael designed the original UTRAX program and he oversees the deployment of his Phase 2 trainees. “Carmichael is experienced and highly capable, he runs a tight ship and has high standards,” says Mulroney. “I share some great scenes with Mireille Enos. There’s some interesting mental sparring between our characters as they try to outmatch each other and separate the lies from truth.”
UTRAX’S PLAN BECOMES CLEAR
The shock twist at the end of S1 revealed that UTRAX will roll out the trainees to infiltrate American society. “They’re being trained to kill, but for this to happen UTRAX needs to engage in a ‘socialisation’ process so they can appear normal when they enter the world,” Farr says. “UTRAX has long-term goals of control, political and psychological. And there’s no greater battleground than the young.”
THIS SEASON IS ABOUT LOSS… AND TRUST
Aside from the action and dramatic storytelling, Hanna set itself apart as a series that’s more contemplative than most thrillers. As Farr explains: “I suppose you could say Hanna’s external battles in the series - against UTRAX, against John Carmichael - are mirrored by her personal battle to overcome her loss [of her father].” The twists of deceit and lies will still play a key part in the show, as Mulroney says: “Where clues aren’t clear, no one’s motives are what they seem and all you know is that whatever you think is going on - it’s worse.”
HANNA SEASON 2 LAUNCHES ON AMAZON PRIME VIDEO ON 3 JULY.