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Interview: Sarah Shahi and Nicole Brydon Bloom Talk Season Two of ‘Paradise,’ and What They Would Bring with Them to a Real-Life Doomsday Bunker
February 24, 2026Ben MK
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When you think of shows set in a post-apocalyptic America after climate change and nuclear disaster, you might think of Amazon Studios' Fallout. However, as This is Us creator Dan Fogelman showed with season one of the hit Disney+ series Paradise, there's certainly room in the streaming television landscape for more than one show about a doomsday bunker and its population of survivalist-minded citizens. Now, after solving the mystery of who killed U.S. President Cal Bradford (James Marsden), Fogelman and his cast are back for another go-round, as former secret service agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) must embark on the dangerous journey to the surface in search of his wife, Teri (Enuka Okuma). As the series' debut season proved, though, there's bound to be no shortage of twists and turns along the way. And in true Paradise fashion, what Xavier finds is sure to both shock viewers and draw them in for another riveting eight episodes of sci-fi drama. I caught up with actresses Sarah Shahi, who plays Dr. Gabriela Torabi in the show, and Nicole Brydon Bloom, who plays agent Jane Driscoll, to chat about season two of Paradise and their characters, and to find out what longtime fans and audiences new to the series can expect this season. The first season of Paradise focused on the mystery of who killed the President, but season two explores the aftermath, using Xavier's journey to the outside world to find his wife as a jumping-off point to explore what's been happening out there since the events of the season one episode "The Day." For Dr. Torabi and Agent Driscoll, what can viewers expect for their arcs in season two? Shahi: Like you were saying, season one was about the mystery of the President, and we learned about the world that we live in. Gabriela is the architect of the bunker, she designed it. And, in this season, we meet her, and she's in a very different place. The walls are crumbling, and so she's almost like the Nancy Drew of the bunker, trying to uncover the mysteries, asking questions, being very inquisitive, poking around in corners that she really shouldn't have any business poking around in. There's a very fine line between stupidity and bravery — one in which she crosses. And we find out how that plays out for her by the end of the season. Brydon Bloom: Season one had a very clear mission, which was finding out who killed the President. And [with] season two, the world expands so much. Everyone keeps saying it was never just about the bunker, and I think that is really explored in this season. Our characters are still in the bunker, but a lot happens this season — the shifting power down there. I think particularly for Jane, leaving season one in a stronger and weirder position, after her rogue decision to shoot Sinatra — it's gonna be interesting for viewers to see. 
Of course, a lot of the cast from season one are back for season two, but there are also a couple of notable new cast members in the form of Shailene Woodley and Thomas Doherty. Can you talk a bit about what it was like being back on set with the old cast, and what it was like working with the new additions?Shahi: The old cast — the OGs — [are] like a warm chocolate chip cookie. It's cozy, it's familiar, you know what you're gonna get, and it feels good. And then, with the new kids, there's always that sense of adrenaline of what is this gonna be like, what energy is this new partner going to bring to the scene. There's always so much fun and exploration. Although, Nicole had more to do. I didn't really get to interact with them too much. Brydon Bloom: It was so much fun. I mean, luckily, both Thomas and Shailene are so talented and experienced that there was no fear that we couldn't trust them in this process. But I think, as Sarah was saying, that you always hope that they're good people, too. And we lucked out on that front as well. So, yeah, things are quite separate, just because of the outside world and the bunker, but there is some crossover; and certainly, crossover in cast holding while we're filming various things. So, we all got to know each other pretty well, even more this season. Like, [Sarah and I] became a lot closer, just because we have a lot to do together. Is there a particular episode or scene in season two that was especially memorable for each of you to work on, or one that was a favorite of yours? Shahi: This season is rife with so many really incredible moments that it's hard to pick just one. But [Nicole and I] have something that's very special. Some really great things Gabriela got to do — I got to get my hands dirty, which was fun. That's all I'll say. Brydon Bloom: Yeah, [Sarah and I] have two episodes where we kind of get to go toe to toe a little bit more, which is fun. We didn't interact much last season, so it's been fun to explore those new dynamics of characters who you haven't seen kind of come into conflict with one another. Jane gets tasked with sort of a new "mission," and I really enjoyed that scene [as well]. So, I'll tease that. [laughs] 
Last but not least, since the show revolves around an underground doomsday bunker, if you yourself had to drop everything and take shelter for some unknown period of time in a similar bunker, what is the one thing you would make sure that you took with you?Shahi: Well, I would bring Jacob Elordi [laughs] and my photo albums. That's what I would bring, cuz I feel like in the times of my life where it could be like the darkest and the most hopeless, my memories and my history of who I am and the people I love — that gives me strength. So, Jacob and photos. Brydon Bloom: We were talking about music, too, earlier. And I thought that was such an interesting concept — like Cal's mixtape in the first season. If someone wasn't bringing the archives down, as Sinatra and everyone does in our bunker, what playlist — or CD — would you wanna have? I just thought that was interesting. |
Paradise: Season Two is streaming now, exclusively on Disney Plus.
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