‘Surface’ Season 2: Apple TV+’s Psychological Thriller Dives Deeper into Mystery
Apple TV+’s psychological thriller Surface returns for a second season, promising even more twists, secrets, and unanswered questions. With Gugu Mbatha-Raw reprising her role as Tess Caldwell (formerly known as Sophie Ellis), the show picks up where it left off—except this time, the setting has shifted from the foggy streets of San Francisco to the elite circles of London. If season one was a slow-burn unraveling of identity, season two throws Tess into a new world where every answer seems to open another door of deception.
A Fresh Start in London—Or Is It?
After discovering that she wasn’t actually Sophie Ellis but instead Tess Caldwell, a woman with a past far more complicated than she could have imagined, Tess leaves behind the life she built and heads to London to uncover the truth about her mother’s mysterious death. But true to the nature of Surface, nothing is ever straightforward. The Huntley family—London’s wealthy elite—welcomes Tess into their world, but their motivations are as layered as the city itself. As Tess navigates their secrets and hidden agendas, the question remains: are they allies or enemies?
With Oliver Jackson-Cohen returning as James Ellis, Tess’s estranged husband, the emotional weight of her past continues to follow her. Their relationship, filled with buried truths and unresolved tensions, keeps the stakes high as Tess tries to distinguish real danger from the ghosts of her past.
A Shift in Pace and Tone
Critics have noted that season two moves with more urgency than the first, which was often described as a slow-burn mystery that required patience. While the series still leans into its atmospheric, almost dreamlike aesthetic, the London backdrop brings a different energy—a sharper edge that keeps the tension simmering.
Gugu Mbatha-Raw continues to be the show’s strongest asset, delivering a performance that balances vulnerability with a quiet determination. As Tess pieces together the puzzle of her past, her internal conflict is just as compelling as the external threats that seem to close in around her.
Will Season Two Deliver on Its Promise?
The first season of Surface left audiences divided—some praised its psychological depth and noir influences, while others found its pacing too meandering. Season two seems aware of this criticism, adding more urgency to Tess’s journey while maintaining the show’s signature suspense.
Whether or not it fully delivers on its premise remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Surface isn’t just about solving a mystery—it’s about questioning everything, including oneself. And in a world where identity is fluid and truth is elusive, the biggest mystery of all might just be Tess Caldwell herself.
Oliver Jackson-Cohen, who plays James Ellis, was featured in BELLO, check out his feature HERE.
