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Idris Elba Reveals His Doubts About Making 'Hijack' Season 2

Idris Elba openly discussed his initial uncertainty about returning for a second season of the thriller series 'Hijack,' questioning if they could successfully replicate the first season's magic. The new season transitions the action from a hijacked plane to a perilous situation aboard an underground train in Berlin. Elba detailed the unique acting challenge of sustaining the real-time tension of a six-hour journey over a six-month filming period. He emphasized the importance of maintaining a clear 'golden thread' for his character's motivations throughout the complex narrative.

Key Points: Idris Elba on 'Hijack' Season 2 Challenges & New Plot

  • Elba had doubts about recreating Season 1's success
  • New season moves the crisis to a Berlin underground train
  • Filming required maintaining tension for months
  • The actor focused on his character's logical through line
  • Season 2 premieres January 14 on Apple TV
3 min read

"It's a complex show to make": Idris Elba on 'Hijack' season 2

Idris Elba shares his initial reservations about 'Hijack' Season 2, the challenge of filming in real-time tension, and the new Berlin train plot.

"I wasn't sure. As much as I loved the character, sometimes you've just got to move on... - Idris Elba"

Washington DC, January 14

Idris Elba shared that he "wasn't sure" if the magic of 'Hijack season 1' could be recreated. Elba spoke about the next instalment in the series and revealed he had a few reservations about continuing past the self-contained first season, which unfolded in real time, as reported by People.

"It's a complex show to make," the Luther actor tells People magazine. "It was really good, and people really loved it. And can we do it again? I wasn't sure. As much as I loved the character, sometimes you've just got to move on, but I was really sort of compelled to see how we could do it and see if we can do it again, do it well, keep what the audience loved of the first season alive," People reported.

Season 1 of Hijack, which earned Elba an Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series nomination at the 2024 Emmys, followed Sam Nelson (Elba), a corporate negotiator, as he found himself on a hijacked plane.

The second season finds Sam in the middle of an equally dangerous and unpredictable predicament, but this time he's aboard an underground train full of passengers in Berlin.

Elba said that as an actor, he faced a similar challenge filming season 2 as he did in season 1. He opened up about "the challenge is really trying to make an eight-hour flight or a six-hour train journey or whatever it is, keep that alive over six months."

"That's challenging for many reasons," he continued. "Six months is a long amount of time to be in one moment or the moment of several hours. And so that was challenging, just trying to stay in that tension mode for so long," as quoted by People.

Elba adds that it was equally important for him to keep "a through line of why" his character makes the choices he makes as the season unfolds. "What he's going through, where was he, who is he, what is he doing, all those things," he said. "But the truth is the script had all those answers. And as an actor, I would just plug into that."

"But oftentimes I had to ask myself or ask the director, 'What's just happened? Where are we? Who are we?' he continues. "And I think that's the main challenge, just making sure that there's a golden thread for the performance that makes sense."

"As an actor, from a performance perspective, there's a lot there to chew on and get involved with, which I really enjoy doing," he added..

Elba shared, "But I really want the audience in the second season to, you know, naturally go in with scrutiny and be like, 'What? Hijack 2? That can't possibly happen again to this man, but here we are,'" as quoted by People.

Hijack premieres with two episodes on Wednesday, January 14, on Apple TV. New episodes will debut on Wednesdays until the finale on March 4.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
It's interesting to hear about the actor's process. Maintaining that intensity for six months of filming sounds exhausting! Respect to Elba for taking on the challenge. The first season was a masterclass in suspense; hoping season 2 delivers the same quality.
R
Rohit P
Honestly, I'm a bit skeptical. The first season was perfect as a standalone. How many times can the same guy get into such extreme situations? Feels a bit forced for a franchise. But I'll still watch because Idris Elba is brilliant.
S
Sarah B
The shift from a plane to a train is a classic thriller move. Berlin's metro system provides a great backdrop. Elba's point about the audience's initial scrutiny is spot on—they have to win us over again. Fingers crossed!
V
Vikram M
Apple TV is really investing in good content. As an Indian viewer, we appreciate well-made international shows. The premiere date is set, just need to make sure my subscription is active. Hope the story holds up!
K
Karthik V
The "golden thread" he mentions is so important. If the character's motivation isn't clear, the whole tension falls apart. His honesty about asking the director "where are we?" is relatable. Shows even great actors need guidance. Excited for this!

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