“Kingdom” is returning with Season 2 this Wednesday night, and fans who have been with the show’s successful freshman run may be scavenging for details on what they should expect from the Nick Jonas and Matt Lauria starrer.
Check out the five things that viewers can expect from the premiere of "Kingdom" Season 2 below.
1. More complicated storyline
Lauria, who plays Ryan in the series, revealed to Variety that Season 2 is going to be more complicated than last season. He was quoted as saying, "If it was complicated last year, this season is even more complicated." Showrunner Bryon Balasco seconded by admitting that though Ryan, Jay and Nate won their fights in the finale of "Kingdom's" first season, their struggle outside the ring will take a toll on their lives.
Balasco also stated, "That's what we're really trying to show... that the sacrifice that it takes to win in the ring comes at a cost to your personal life and it doesn't change your circumstances necessarily or it can, but not in ways that you anticipate it."
2. Unreasonable commitment
Although it is not clear what this really means and which characters will pull an "unreasonable commitment" amid the fights that are about to happen, Lauria told TV Line that this is going to be the mantra of the season.
"The mantra this year is 'unreasonable commitment,'" he said. "And I think that's what it takes. One of the greatest treasures of this show is how demanding it is. The writing demands so much of you, because the characters are these intense psychological creatures. And the physical demands are obvious, too."
3. Time jump
Don't expect this season to pick up where the previous one left off. It has previously been revealed that instead of seeing what happened after Ryan won his fight, the six-month time jump will see him trying to defend his title right away.
The time jump will also see Jonathan Tucker's Jay obsessing over Jessica Szohr's Laura. A lot of other things have changed. Kiele Sanchez's Lisa also has a struggle of her own. She is set to juggle the Navy St. management and guiding a new fighter.
4. New characters
Aside from "Gossip Girl" alum Szohr, fans will also be introduced to new characters played by Mark Consuelos and Alicia Mendez. Consuelos described his character named Sean Chapas is an ex-fighter who will bring in more dysfunction to the series.
"He's an ex-fighter that comes back. He's an old friend of Alvey. He seems to have his s- together, but you find out quickly that it's very much a house of cards," Consuelos was quoted as saying by Variety.
Meanwhile, Mendez's female fighter is going to kick some butt this season. Balasco revealed to Entertainment Weekly that Mendez is the perfect person for the role. "We got the perfect person. We just shot a 10-hour fight scene with her where we thought she broke her foot because she was on crutches the next day, but she did that like halfway through and kept going and was just phenomenal," the showrunner said.
5. Nate's sexuality
While many fans did not see what was coming for Nick Jonas' character last season, his sexuality is now out and this will make his inner conflict with himself become more of the primary force in his storyline. Jonas' character is reportedly going to battle insecurities with his sexual preference.
"It's more complicated than is he or isn't he. It's about pulling back the layers and seeing what's underneath and for him discovering what's important to him besides fighting... and a big part of that is his sexuality," Jonas said of Nate ahead of "Kingdom" Season 2.
The premiere episode of "Kingdom" Season 2 is entitled "New Money," and according to TV.com it "finds Ryan battling a malady on the day of his title defense, while Jay's opponent lays out a surprising challenge. Meanwhile, Lisa recruits a new fighter and Alvey opens a new gym."
Don't miss Audience Network's drama this Wednesday night. Tune in on DirectTV at 9 p.m. to watch the pilot episode of "Kingdom" Season 2.
