NOS4A2 Viewing Guide: What You Need to Know Going into Season 2 – Anglophenia

The TV adaptation of author Joe Hills NOS4A2 returns for a second season and will premiere via simulcast on both BBC America and AMC on Sunday, June 21 at 10/9c.

The series follows Vic McQueen (Ashleigh Cummings), a high school senior from a broken home in New England. She battles against Charlie Manx (Zachary Quinto), a different kind of vampire, who kidnaps children and drains them of their innocence to maintain his immortality. McQueen isnt an ordinary teenager going up against an immortal, though she has supernatural abilities of her own.

1. The Origin of the Shows Name

At first glance, one might think the name of the show is pronounced the way it is written out with letters and numbers, N-O-S-Four-A-Two. But, thats not the case. It actually pays homage to the word Nosferatu, which is believed to be derived from the Romanian Nesuferit, meaning offensive or troublesome, which add up to vampire. The 1922 silent film Nosferatu introduced the term to the public, helping to kick off the vampire genre.

2. Where We Left Off with Season One

In season one, McQueen discovers she has a special supernatural power: riding on her motorcycle, she has the ability to find lost things. Meanwhile, Manx has his own power: when he lures children into his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith, he can suck out their energy and spirit them away to Christmasland, a magical place that exists on the fringes of reality, where its Christmas every day. The children become bloodthirsty demon-like husks of their former selves, and can never leave the gates of Christmasland.

When her young friend is lost to Manx, McQueen realizes she can use her power to try to get these children back. In a heated showdown at the end of season one, McQueen finally gets the upper hand: she sets Manxs beloved Wraith on fire, destroying the source of his power, and Manx rapidly ages and falls into a coma.

3. Where We Pick Up in Season Two

Season two begins eight years later. McQueen now has a young son named Wayne, and has stayed in Colorado to build a life with local biker, Lou Carmody (Jonathan Langdon), who helped her defeat Manx in season one. But she hasnt forgotten the trauma of her supernatural fight with Manx. And when circumstances cause the vampire to come back from the brink of death, hes more determined than ever to get his revenge on the one person who ever took him down.

Now that McQuen is a mother, shes more vulnerable than ever to the evils of Manx, as he becomes determined to kidnap Wayne and imprison him in Christmasland. But McQueen makes a promise in the first look trailer above, saying, Im gonna kill him once and for all.

4. Heres Who is Returning

We can look for both Zachary Quinto and Ashleigh Cummings to return in their lead roles. As well, Ashley Romans will return as police detective Tabitha Hutter. We can also look for Jahkara Smith as Maggie Leigh, another Strong Creative with the supernatural ability to answer any question when she pulls Scrabble tiles out of a magical bag.

5. Heres Who is New

In addition to the returning cast, we can look for some new faces like Jason David, who plays McQueens eight-year-old son. Wayne asks his mom, Who is Charlie Manx? Shes shocked to hear the villainous name come out of her sons mouth. He asks after seeing Manx on TV. 6. Is Manx Still in a Coma?

He is. But, not for long. When his Rolls-Royce Wraith is restored, Manx regains his own strength along with it. He ages backward, once again youthful. His assistant, Bing Partridge (lafur Darri lafsson) comes to his aid, saying, Mr. Manx. Are you awake? Rather than answering, all we hear is his disturbing giggle which is very foreboding. He is pissed, and McQueen is on the top of his hit list.

7. Does Christmasland Still Exist?

Yes and no. Its created by Manxs imagination, manifesting into something that is also very real. We can see why the children walk into the magical land without fear, as its very welcoming. The world itself is based in Manxs inscape, a place that exists in the world of thought on the edges of the physical realm, and can only be accessed by Manxs knife his beloved Wraith which helps cut through the fabric of reality. Despite being mystical, McQueen keeps getting phone calls from the children in Christmasland, leaving others to question her sanity.

8. What Author Joe Hill Thinks About the TV Adaptation

Author Joe Hill chatted with Den of Geek about his 2013 novel being made for screen, saying, (Season one is) a little less than the first half. When Jami (OBrien) read the book, she sort of correctly saw that there was a breakpoint where the story shifts into a different gear. Her feeling was, really, in some ways, NOS4A2 is two or maybe three stories that could be full seasons. She found one of these breakpoints and so yeah, season one is a totally self-contained, totally satisfying story. But it is not the full book. Fun fact: Hill is son to Stephen King, but wed like to think Hill can stand on his own (but for all you King fans, this might up your interest a tad?). Another fun fact: his second novel, 2010s Horns, was made into a film starring Daniel Radcliffe.

9. What Showrunner Jami OBriens Plans Are for Season Two

Jami OBrien, who brought season one to the screen, is ready for season two, saying, I am so excited for the opportunity to bring the rest of Joe Hills amazing novel to television. Joes imagination is unparalleled, reports AMC.com. She goes on to say, I love the characters and the world, and our colleagues at AMC have been wonderful partners. Im grateful to be playing in the NOS4A2 sandbox. OBrien isnt new to the AMC family; she was a co-executive producer on both Fear the Walking Dead and Hell on Wheels.

10. How to go into Season Two

Wed suggest, make sure you have a blanket nearby so you can pull it over your eyes if needed! And, while you can watch season two on its own, you can also find full episodes of season one and behind the scenes clips over at BBC America and AMC online.

You can look for new episodes of NOS4A2 starting June 21.

Are you caught up on season one?

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NOS4A2 Viewing Guide: What You Need to Know Going into Season 2 - Anglophenia

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero