The actor behind James Beaufort shares that the new season of the hit German series explores much heavier emotional territory, pushing both the character and the performer to their limits.
Fans fell in love with the enemies-to-lovers story in Maxton Hall – The World Between Us, but the show’s second season is set to take a dramatically darker turn. Damian Hardung, who plays the wealthy heir James Beaufort, has openly discussed the intense emotional challenges he faced while filming the new season. The story picks up after the tragic events of the season one finale, diving deep into themes of grief and trauma. The new season is scheduled to premiere on November 7, 2025, exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
A Deeper Look at the New Season’s Dark Tone
Damian Hardung has given fans a clear warning about what to expect from James Beaufort’s story in season two. The new chapters move away from the lighthearted romance and school drama into much bleaker territory.
In a recent podcast appearance, Hardung shared his experience of working on the season, noting he had just completed the ADR, or automated dialogue replacement, which suggests production is in its final stages. He did not hold back in describing the season’s mood.
“I just did the ADR for it and the second season is really dark and [there’s] a lot of grief and trauma in my character,” Hardung stated. He added, “I had a really tough time shooting that, it really pushed me to a point where I’m like: ‘I don’t know if that’s healthy anymore.’”
This darkness stems directly from the season one finale, where James and his sister Lydia return home to the shocking news of their mother’s death. This tragedy, combined with James’s violent confrontation with his abusive father, Mortimer, sets the stage for a season focused on coping with immense loss.
The Source of James’s Inner Turmoil
The emotional core of Season 2 revolves around the fallout from the Beaufort family tragedy. James’s character arc will be heavily defined by his struggle with grief and anger.
Hardung, who describes himself as naturally optimistic, mentioned that he had to consciously work to find moments of lightheartedness for his character during the grim shoot. The story forces James to confront his pain head-on, a journey that was demanding for the actor to portray.
The official season synopsis confirms this difficult path. It reveals that a “stroke of fate” in James’s family changes everything, and he himself becomes the one to shatter Ruby’s happiness, bringing her “back from cloud nine to a harsh reality.” This suggests that James’s trauma will directly impact his relationship with Ruby, potentially pushing her away as he grapples with his emotions.
Returning and New Faces in Maxton Hall
While James and Ruby’s relationship is tested, they are not the only characters dealing with complications. The core cast from the first season is expected to return.
Harriet Herbig-Matten reprises her role as the determined scholarship student, Ruby Bell. Other returning cast members include Sonja Weißer as Lydia Beaufort, Eidin Jalali as Graham Sutton, and Fedja van Huêt as the formidable Mortimer Beaufort. They will be joined by Ruby’s friends and family, including Andrea Guo as Lin Wang and Runa Greiner as her sister, Ember.
The season will also introduce new characters who will add fresh dynamics to the story. Dagny Dewath joins as Ophelia Beaufort, the twins’ aunt who becomes an important ally. Basil Eidenbenz will play Frederick Ellington, the older brother of Alistair, and Proschat Madani appears as a businesswoman named Alice Campbell.
Global Success and Season 3 Confirmation
The intense interest in the second season is fueled by the massive global success of the first. Maxton Hall became Amazon Prime Video’s most-watched international original series ever upon its release, topping charts in over 120 countries.
The show’s popularity was so immense that it was quickly renewed for a second season in May 2024. Filming for the new season began in the summer of 2024 in Berlin and London. Even before the second season has aired, the buzz surrounding the series has led Amazon to confirm that a third season is also in development, ensuring more story to come for Ruby and James.
The first three episodes of Maxton Hall Season 2 will be available to stream on November 7, 2025, on Prime Video, with new episodes releasing weekly.
Also Read: Maxton Hall Season 2 First Episodes Arrive on Prime Video Today: Ep 1-3 Streaming Details Explained
