The wait is finally over for fans of Hulu’s gripping political thriller Paradise. The series, which follows Secret Service agent Xavier Collins (Sterling K. Brown) as he navigates life inside an apocalyptic bunker while hunting for the truth, is returning with its second season. After a tense first season that ended with Xavier leaving the controlled environment of Paradise to find his wife, the new episodes will expand the story to the dangerous world above ground.
Hulu has confirmed that Paradise Season 2 will premiere on Monday, February 23, 2026 . This date was officially announced at the CCXP panel in Brazil, where creator Dan Fogelman appeared alongside stars Sterling K. Brown and new cast member Shailene Woodley . The show returns with higher stakes, new faces, and a deeper look at what really happened on “The Day” when civilization collapsed.
When and Where to Watch Paradise Season 2
The streaming schedule for Paradise Season 2 is designed to give viewers plenty of content right from the start. The platform will release the first three episodes all at once on February 23 . After this three-episode premiere, the remaining episodes will arrive weekly, giving audiences time to digest the expanding story.
For those in the United States, new episodes drop on Hulu at 3 a.m. ET / 12 a.m. PT every Monday . Viewers who have the Disney+ bundle can also watch the series through Hulu on Disney+. For international audiences, the show will be available on Disney+ in regions like the UK, Canada, Australia, and India, following the same release schedule .
Here is the complete release schedule for Paradise Season 2 based on official announcements :
- Episode 1: “Graceland” – February 23, 2026
- Episode 2: “Mayday” – February 23, 2026
- Episode 3: “Another Day in Paradise” – February 23, 2026
- Episode 4: “A Holy Charge” – March 2, 2026
- Episode 5: TBA – March 9, 2026
- Episode 6: TBA – March 16, 2026
- Episode 7: TBA – March 23, 2026
- Episode 8: TBA – March 30, 2026
What Happens in Paradise Season 2
The official synopsis for the new season confirms that Xavier Collins is now searching for his wife Teri out in the world . The first season ended with the revelation that Teri might still be alive, and Season 2 follows Xavier as he leaves the safety of the bunker to find her. The journey forces him to learn how ordinary people survived the three years since “The Day” without the protection of the elite bunker.
While Xavier faces the dangers outside, things are not calm back home. Inside Paradise, the social structure begins to break down. The community is dealing with the fallout from Season 1, and new secrets about the city’s true origins are coming to light . Julianne Nicholson returns as the powerful and secretive Sinatra, who appears to have plans that extend far beyond the bunker’s walls.
During the Los Angeles premiere, cast members hinted at the emotional weight of the new season. Thomas Doherty, who joins the cast this season as Link, the leader of a biker gang, told Reuters that while the action is big, the heart of the show remains human . He hopes audiences look past the explosions to see the real story. Sarah Shahi, who plays Dr. Gabriela Torabi, drew real-world connections to the show’s themes, suggesting that current global events make the story feel more relevant than ever .
New Faces Joining the Cast
Paradise Season 2 brings several exciting additions to the ensemble. Shailene Woodley joins the cast in a significant role, appearing in the teaser trailer as a woman Xavier meets outside the bunker . While her exact character details remain under wraps, speculation suggests she might be a scientist studying the climate crisis that led to the apocalypse . In the trailer, she tells Xavier, “Out here, the little things will kill you,” indicating she has experience surviving in the wasteland .
Thomas Doherty also joins as Link, described as the leader of a surface-dwelling group . His character warns that there is something dangerous about the bunker that nobody knows, adding another layer of mystery to the story. Timothy Omundson and Michael McGrady are also joining the cast in undisclosed roles .
Returning Characters and Surprising Appearances
Fans will see most of their favorite characters return for Season 2. Sterling K. Brown leads the cast as Xavier Collins, while Julianne Nicholson is back as the antagonist Sinatra. Sarah Shahi returns as Dr. Gabriela Torabi, and Aliyah Mastin is back as Xavier’s daughter Presley . Nicole Brydon Bloom, Krys Marshall, Enuka Okuma, Percy Daggs IV, and Charlie Evans are also returning .
One interesting development involves characters who died in Season 1. James Marsden (President Cal Bradford) and Jon Beavers (Billy Pace) are both listed as recurring guest stars, despite their characters’ deaths . Flashbacks will likely explain their presence, giving viewers more background on the events leading up to the apocalypse and the mysteries surrounding Paradise.
What the Trailer Reveals
The official Season 2 trailer, released in late January 2026, shows Xavier’s plane crash-landing in a tree as he searches for Teri . He appears injured but determined, meeting new characters along the way. The footage shows glimpses of surface survivors, including one who might be Teri herself.
Back in the bunker, tension is high. Sinatra is heard asking, “Can I tell you a secret, something no one else knows? It was never just about the bunker” . This line suggests that Sinatra’s plans are bigger than anyone imagined and that the true purpose of Paradise has yet to be revealed. Another character questions Sinatra directly, asking if she is compromising the safety of the bunker for personal gain .
Creator’s Vision for the Series
Dan Fogelman, who created Paradise after his massive success with This Is Us, has a clear plan for the show’s future. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter earlier this year, Fogelman explained that he has a “very precise three-year plan” for the series . He describes Season 2 as “the middle episode of our trilogy” that will have its own beginning, middle, and end. The story is apparently bigger than viewers currently realize and will span multiple genres as it progresses .
This approach explains why Season 2 feels like such a significant expansion of the world. Moving Xavier outside the bunker opens up new storytelling possibilities while maintaining the political intrigue that made the first season successful. With production wrapped since August 2025, the team has had plenty of time to perfect the new episodes .
Why Fans Should Be Excited
Paradise quickly became one of Hulu’s most talked-about series after its debut. The first three episodes garnered 7 million views in their first week across Hulu in the US and Disney+ internationally . The combination of political thriller elements with post-apocalyptic survival stories created a unique blend that kept viewers guessing.
For Season 2, the stakes are genuinely higher. Xavier is no longer operating within the controlled environment of the bunker. He faces real physical danger from the environment and from other survivors. Meanwhile, the political maneuvering inside Paradise continues, with Sinatra seemingly playing a longer game than anyone suspected. The introduction of surface dwellers like Link’s biker gang adds a new dynamic that complicates both worlds.
The show also continues to explore family dynamics, a theme Fogelman excels at. Xavier’s search for his wife is deeply personal, and his daughter Presley remains an important part of the story. The emotional core that made This Is Us resonate with audiences is present here, wrapped in a tense thriller package.
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How to Catch Up Before the Premiere
For viewers who need a refresher, the entire first season of Paradise is currently available on Hulu . The eight-episode first season sets up the world, introduces the key players, and ends with Xavier discovering that Teri might be alive. Watching or rewatching Season 1 before February 23 will ensure you catch all the connections and references in the new episodes.
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