If you’re a fan of horror genre, then it’s the right time for you. Those who have already watched the popular series, ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ know what exactly is to get the scare jumps. And if you have been a fan of this series, then you should definitely watch ‘The Haunting of Bly Manor,’ releasing on 9th of October, 2020 on OTT platform, Netflix.
Although the creators and many of the same actors are back to play another haunted group in the anthology, the second season is totally unrelated to the first and takes place in 1987. This would be one of many adaptations of Henry James’ Turn of the Screw, which involves a governess (Victoria Pedretti) taking care of two young children.
In an interview with Vanity Fair, show runner Mike Flanagan said, “It was really important for all of us not to play the same notes we played for the first season.” The show will also be starkly different in tone, with a warmer, more inviting house, that has its own secrets. It’s not yet known if the season will embrace the ambiguity of James’ novel- we’re never really sure what’s real and what’s not, and critics still debate that ending- but the loose adaptation sounds like a perfect creepy vehicle for more hidden ghosts and sudden scares.
As much as the cast is concerned, many of the actors from Season 1 will be seen at the Bly Manor but of course in different characters and with a different story. So here’s what we know about the cast and the characters they’re playing in the new series:
Victoria Pedretti as Dani Clayton
In a 180-degree turn from the miserable daughter Nell in Hill House, Pedretti plays the sweet and optimistic governess who as per James’ original story, comes to take care of the two ‘unusual’ children. It’ll be a more cheerful, though perhaps still unlucky character for Pedretti, who’s also terrific in Netflix’s You.
Henry Thomas as Henry Wingrave
Thomas, who played the tortured family patriarch in the first season, returns as Henry Wingrave, the children’s estranged uncle who’d rather stay away from the house if humanly possible. Thomas is probably known for his role as Elliott in E.T. but has acted a lot since then, including in the recent Stephen King adaptation Doctor Sleep.
Oliver Jackson-Cohen as Peter Quint
In another role lifted from the book, Cohen who played the vulnerable addict Luke in Season 1 will be seen as Peter Quint this time. No spoilers, but let’s just say he’s villainous, quite a change from his previous character.
Benjamin Evan Ainsworth as Miles
A proper telling of James’ story relies on properly creepy children, and boy does this deliver, by the looks of it. As per the novel, Miles is the more unpredictable and violent of the two children. Newcomer Ainsworth has a few acting credits, but this is his first major role.
Tahirah Sharif as Rebecca Jessel and Amelie Smith as Flora
Flora (on the left) is the sweeter, more cheerful of the two children- but she, too, can get creepy. Smith, who’s new to the series, has had roles in Peppa Pig and EastEnders. Sharif is also new to the Haunting Family. She had previously worked in Christmas Prince, Waterloo Road, and Casualty.
Amelia Eve as Jamie
Jamie is the manor’s groundskeeper, and is a “self-confident skeptic” who doesn’t necessarily feel affected by what’s going on in the house. Eve’s new to the show. She had previously acted in the comedy Enterprice.
T’Nia Miller as Hannah Grose
Newcomer Miller plays book character Mrs. Grose, Bly Manor’s manager and someone who might know more about the house that she’s letting on. Seen here with the two children, Miller’s no stranger to creepy sci-fi, having played a role in Doctor Who, and she’s also appeared in Years and Years and Sex Education.
Rahul Kohli as Owen
Kohli is Owen, the Bly Manor’s chef, and like the groundskeeper, seems oddly untouched by the house’s power. You may recognize Kohli from Supergirl or iZombie, but he’s also new to the series and looks appropriately befuddled by all the supernatural craziness.
Katie Parker
Another Hill House alum, Katie Parker was announced as joining the second season. She played the character of Poppy Hill, one of the residents of Hill House. You may have also seen her in Halt and Catch Fire or Master of Sex.
Kate Siegel
There’s actually one more familiar face you’ll see in the season 2: Kate Siegel, whose role is still unknown. Siegel is married to showrunner Flanagan.
Flanagan had announced the casting on twitter: “The Haunting wouldn’t be The Haunting without fan favorite Kate Siegel.” She played the psychic , haunted sister, Theo in season 1.
The Haunting of Hill House had the weight of one of the most important Gothic texts on its shoulders, but it delivered well.
Its elaborate story-telling and use of multiple timeframes just delivered expertly.
Now the pressure is intense on the show makers and the casts to adapt The Turn of the Screw into a series but Flanagan and team has already proved their worth in the first season.
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