Stephen King’s The Instituteis no longer in its book era in season 2.
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Originally adapted from King’s 2019 novel of the same name, the sci-fi thriller series revolves around a group of young adults kidnapped by the eponymous organization in order for their telepathic and telekinetic abilities to be utilized for their own dark means. All the while, season 1 followed former policeman Time Jamieson as he became entangled with discovering the truth behind the company, and dealt with his own traumatic past.
Now, The Institute season 2 is heading into original territory after generally completing King’s book in season 1, with Tim, Luke and the rest of the group having successfully escaped the company’s grasp and trying to find a way to expose them to the world. As their options become limited, though, different plans are made to bring the Institute to justice, namely taking the fight to them.
Ben Barnes and Joe Freeman return to lead the ensemble Institute season 2 cast as Tim and Luke, alongside Simon Miller as Kalisha, Fionn Laird as Nicky, Arlen So as George, Robert Joy as Dr. Hendricks and Mary-Louise Parker as Ms. Sigsby. The new season is once again spearheaded by Benjamin Cavell as showrunner, who also executive produces alongside Jack Bender.
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In honor of the show’s November 8 return, ScreenRant‘s Grant Hermanns interviewed Ben Barnes, Joe Freeman, Fionn Laird, Simone Miller and Arlen So to discuss The Institute season 2. In talking about the direction their characters are going in the show’s return, and conversations had with Cavell about the new era of moving beyond King’s book, Laird expressed that this new venture made things “a lot more collaborative” between the showrunner and his cast.
Fionn Laird: We couldn’t command where we were going, but we had a lot more say in what our mindset was for a certain scene, or something like that. So, we had that experience in season 1, of our characters, and we knew who they were, and then we could kind of help shape the hypothetical of what they were doing in season 2. So, it was difficult, and kind of like these guys were saying, a lot of responsibility as actors to guide that. But having someone like Ben there to steer us in the right direction and listen to our own input was really helpful.
Fionn Laird: We couldn’t command where we were going, but we had a lot more say in what our mindset was for a certain scene, or something like that. So, we had that experience in season 1, of our characters, and we knew who they were, and then we could kind of help shape the hypothetical of what they were doing in season 2. So, it was difficult, and kind of like these guys were saying, a lot of responsibility as actors to guide that. But having someone like Ben there to steer us in the right direction and listen to our own input was really helpful.
Luke & Tim’s Baggage Is Putting Them At Odds In Season 2
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ScreenRant: Obviously, in season 1, Luke had to sort of step up and be a leader for everyone inside The Institute, but now that we are out in the world, you help encourage George to unlock more abilities to get into that ATM. We see you push Kalisha a little more to expand her powers a little bit. I’d love to hear about you know the conversations you had with Ben this season about what Luke looks like as a team leader, especially as he and Tim conflict about what direction the group needs to be going.
Joe Freeman: Yeah, the short conversation that I had with Ben before we went back out was that I just wanted to get some clarity on what we were doing. Because before that, I had no idea what we were [doing]. So, he gave me a short breakdown of the season, and what he hoped from us. But no, I was thrilled with what they had Luke doing, because obviously, you’re only on [episode] three. So, yeah, Luke may look like a brilliant guy now, but give it a couple more episodes. Luke annoys me this season, and I play him. He’s an annoying guy, a whiner. [Chuckles]
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Joe Freeman: Yeah, the short conversation that I had with Ben before we went back out was that I just wanted to get some clarity on what we were doing. Because before that, I had no idea what we were [doing]. So, he gave me a short breakdown of the season, and what he hoped from us. But no, I was thrilled with what they had Luke doing, because obviously, you’re only on [episode] three. So, yeah, Luke may look like a brilliant guy now, but give it a couple more episodes. Luke annoys me this season, and I play him. He’s an annoying guy, a whiner. [Chuckles]
ScreenRant: He certainly makes some decisions within episodes 2 and 3, that are already like, wow. Ben, I’d love to turn to you next because, without getting too heavy into spoilers, you start interacting with characters who, in a way, unlock a level of grief in you that you didn’t know you had, or a level of emotional connection you didn’t realize you had with these kids. That was obviously a big arc in season 1, of trying to redeem yourself from that shooting in Tim’s past. I’d love to hear what you can tease about how that’s going to continue to evolve in this season, especially as group dynamics maybe shift, and locations maybe shift a little bit.
Ben Barnes: Yeah, I think it was important to carry over the DNA of the first season. There’s something about the Tim character, he’s weighed down by the baggage that he is carrying. He has killed someone, albeit tangentially, in the line of duty. And for him, he feels like he was serving and trying to support the greater good, or diffuse a potentially violent situation. But he is carrying the burden of this death, and I think that the Luke character represents his salvation. This is the kid that he could potentially save, but once he starts pulling on the string, it’s the world that needs saving. I think that there are some things that happen in the first episode of season 2 which allow Tim to sort of carry through this weight that he has. There’s still grief, but this time it’s closer, it’s more immediate, and it’s kind of burning. I think Luke and Tim are both angry. They’re both characters that want to hit back. Tim maybe has more real-world experience, but Luke has superpowers, so that’s where they are both putting themselves in leadership roles. And when two people put themselves in leadership roles, especially when one of them is supposed to be the parent, there’s going to be some tension and discussion. I think, in the first season, he’s torn between trying to find some peace and pulling on this string, this concern of his to always try and do the right thing and be a good man. And in the second season, it’s the balance between protecting those that are closest to him, and wanting to keep them close, and not worrying about anything outside of his own world. And also, really wanting to hit back and bring down the hierarchy, and also empower these kids — who are literally super-powered kids — but they’re also certainly teenagers. So, it’s trying to find that balance. It’s kind of the ultimate life-and-death, Running Man parenting. [Chuckles]
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Ben Barnes: Yeah, I think it was important to carry over the DNA of the first season. There’s something about the Tim character, he’s weighed down by the baggage that he is carrying. He has killed someone, albeit tangentially, in the line of duty. And for him, he feels like he was serving and trying to support the greater good, or diffuse a potentially violent situation. But he is carrying the burden of this death, and I think that the Luke character represents his salvation. This is the kid that he could potentially save, but once he starts pulling on the string, it’s the world that needs saving. I think that there are some things that happen in the first episode of season 2 which allow Tim to sort of carry through this weight that he has. There’s still grief, but this time it’s closer, it’s more immediate, and it’s kind of burning. I think Luke and Tim are both angry. They’re both characters that want to hit back. Tim maybe has more real-world experience, but Luke has superpowers, so that’s where they are both putting themselves in leadership roles. And when two people put themselves in leadership roles, especially when one of them is supposed to be the parent, there’s going to be some tension and discussion. I think, in the first season, he’s torn between trying to find some peace and pulling on this string, this concern of his to always try and do the right thing and be a good man. And in the second season, it’s the balance between protecting those that are closest to him, and wanting to keep them close, and not worrying about anything outside of his own world. And also, really wanting to hit back and bring down the hierarchy, and also empower these kids — who are literally super-powered kids — but they’re also certainly teenagers. So, it’s trying to find that balance. It’s kind of the ultimate life-and-death, Running Man parenting. [Chuckles]
Kalisha, Nicky & George Are Coming Into Their Own In Season 2
ScreenRant: Simone, if you would like to start, and then Arlen and Fionn. Even though we don’t get a whole lot of time to explore it, I am curious. End of season 1, we get the escape, we get a little bit of a time jump going into season 2. What was it like talking with Benjamin Cavell to really find out who Kalisha, who Nicky, and who George really are as teens beyond The Institute, even though they’re still sort of on the run and don’t get to quite enjoy normal teenage lives?
Simone Miller: I think there was such a sense of urgency near the beginning, of constantly looking over your shoulder, and not knowing what tomorrow is going to be. But also, it was so lovely to see us interact as a found family, and enjoying just a little bit of joy before it all crashes and burns again. And yeah, I think it was really interesting to come into this season and meet Kalisha where she’s at, and kind of explore the differences between her in season 1 versus her in season 2, where she’s got a little bit more grit, a little bit more bite this season, which I really appreciate. I really love that she’s holding strong to what she believes in, even if that means going against the grain of Luke, and challenging him. I think it was a really big treat to expand my horizons for Kalisha, and kind of explore new avenues of who she is and who she can be.
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Simone Miller: I think there was such a sense of urgency near the beginning, of constantly looking over your shoulder, and not knowing what tomorrow is going to be. But also, it was so lovely to see us interact as a found family, and enjoying just a little bit of joy before it all crashes and burns again. And yeah, I think it was really interesting to come into this season and meet Kalisha where she’s at, and kind of explore the differences between her in season 1 versus her in season 2, where she’s got a little bit more grit, a little bit more bite this season, which I really appreciate. I really love that she’s holding strong to what she believes in, even if that means going against the grain of Luke, and challenging him. I think it was a really big treat to expand my horizons for Kalisha, and kind of explore new avenues of who she is and who she can be.
Arlen So: Yeah, I think, especially in the first season, there’s a limited amount that you can learn about a character in such a closed-off space when you’re stuck within the four walls of that Institute. But now that we’re free, we’re out in the world, I think it’s really amazing to see where our characters can go. And I think with George, specifically, it’s a bit of a coming-of-age, almost. There’s a big jump in maturity that he has to learn through all this trauma, and the horrible things he’s had to experience and go through, along with his friends. So, I think it’s definitely a complicated thing to work through as an actor. It takes a lot of conversation with writers and other actors, as well, to say, “What’s the right way to go about doing this?” Or, “How should I be portraying this correctly?” But I think, for sure, as a character, it was amazing to explore how he grows and how he matures, and how he kind of takes that trauma with him to move out into the world.
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Arlen So: Yeah, I think, especially in the first season, there’s a limited amount that you can learn about a character in such a closed-off space when you’re stuck within the four walls of that Institute. But now that we’re free, we’re out in the world, I think it’s really amazing to see where our characters can go. And I think with George, specifically, it’s a bit of a coming-of-age, almost. There’s a big jump in maturity that he has to learn through all this trauma, and the horrible things he’s had to experience and go through, along with his friends. So, I think it’s definitely a complicated thing to work through as an actor. It takes a lot of conversation with writers and other actors, as well, to say, “What’s the right way to go about doing this?” Or, “How should I be portraying this correctly?” But I think, for sure, as a character, it was amazing to explore how he grows and how he matures, and how he kind of takes that trauma with him to move out into the world.
ScreenRant: Simone, you mentioned it a little bit with Kalisha, but her and Luke’s dynamic was obviously a point of intrigue for its YA-type romance in season 1, but season 2, it’s a little more complicated. Not only is she going against the grain, but obviously, without spoiling anything just yet, Luke’s making some moves that are not quite embraced by everyone, and maybe even pushing Kalisha towards Nicky a little bit. I’d love to hear what you can tease about how that dynamic is going to continue to evolve as we go through this season.
Simone Miller: Absolutely, I think there’s a lot of nuance within how Kalisha interacts with Nicky versus how she does to Luke, especially now that she feels that she’s been betrayed. And she has been betrayed by Luke in the greatest way he possibly could have betrayed her. But I think what’s really important in deliberating her relationship to Luke, even through the fighting, even through the hurt and the pain, is there’s just really so much love underneath it. I think at the heart of it, she loves Luke enough to know that he’s better than the choices that he’s making right now, and she’s just doing her best to get him back to the version of himself that she knows he can be, and who he is. I think with Nicky, it’s very different, because their relationship is very inextricably tied with this incredibly traumatic experience. They’re the only two that made it all the way to Back Half, and I think there’s a comfortability in being able to look at someone and know exactly what they’re thinking, and not having to ruminate on it through speaking about it. But I think also in that, because the relationship is tied to their experience in The Institute, that also does leave room for a lot of tension, and a lot of things to kind of go untalked about, and continuing this relationship as a way of not having to actually confront everything that they’re feeling.
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Simone Miller: Absolutely, I think there’s a lot of nuance within how Kalisha interacts with Nicky versus how she does to Luke, especially now that she feels that she’s been betrayed. And she has been betrayed by Luke in the greatest way he possibly could have betrayed her. But I think what’s really important in deliberating her relationship to Luke, even through the fighting, even through the hurt and the pain, is there’s just really so much love underneath it. I think at the heart of it, she loves Luke enough to know that he’s better than the choices that he’s making right now, and she’s just doing her best to get him back to the version of himself that she knows he can be, and who he is. I think with Nicky, it’s very different, because their relationship is very inextricably tied with this incredibly traumatic experience. They’re the only two that made it all the way to Back Half, and I think there’s a comfortability in being able to look at someone and know exactly what they’re thinking, and not having to ruminate on it through speaking about it. But I think also in that, because the relationship is tied to their experience in The Institute, that also does leave room for a lot of tension, and a lot of things to kind of go untalked about, and continuing this relationship as a way of not having to actually confront everything that they’re feeling.
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ScreenRant: Arlen, I’d love to turn to you next because George, throughout so much of season 1, he felt like a great emotional anchor for everybody. And then season 2, you mentioned it’s coming of age for him. He is also getting a little bit more push when it comes to his abilities this season, and being able to harness more. I’d love to hear what you can tease about that evolution, and what we can expect as things change within the group.
Simone Miller: Yeah, without saying too much, I think the path George goes on is one of really understanding his own independence. In season 1, he’s always been surrounded by this group of supportive people, even in the face of danger. And in season 2, George realizes, “I’ve got to do something for myself now. I need to be the one to help. I need to be the one to step up.” And on the occasions where that involves exercising his powers, it’s a very emotionally challenging task to portray as an actor. But the character, as well, goes through a lot of emotional change because of that, because of the fact that he’s having to take a lot more accountability and take a lot more control of his own life. So, it’s for sure gaining control, gaining maturity, but then also kind of being worn down by it and almost aged by it.
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Simone Miller: Yeah, without saying too much, I think the path George goes on is one of really understanding his own independence. In season 1, he’s always been surrounded by this group of supportive people, even in the face of danger. And in season 2, George realizes, “I’ve got to do something for myself now. I need to be the one to help. I need to be the one to step up.” And on the occasions where that involves exercising his powers, it’s a very emotionally challenging task to portray as an actor. But the character, as well, goes through a lot of emotional change because of that, because of the fact that he’s having to take a lot more accountability and take a lot more control of his own life. So, it’s for sure gaining control, gaining maturity, but then also kind of being worn down by it and almost aged by it.
ScreenRant: Fionn, to turn to you with Nicky, still very untrusting of Luke and Tim’s planning, and just eager to break away from everything. What can you tease about how that’s going to evolve this season, especially after a certain decision by a certain someone?
Fionn Laird: All I’ll say is #JusticeForNicky, man. [Laughs] He’s constantly like, “Hey, this might happen, this might happen.” And what happens? “Interesting.” I feel like Nicky gets the sharp end of the blade here. I feel like he suffers the consequences of a lot of the choices that the group makes, and that’s tough. But I think in that way, when things start to happen, and pieces are put together, and the arc of the plan comes together, Nicky is one of the first to get on board with that. So, there’s a method to the madness, and I feel like Nicky, while he suffers from a lot of things, he isn’t stubborn and finds his way. I’m trying to tiptoe around things, but I’d say that, yeah, he finds his way.
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Fionn Laird: All I’ll say is #JusticeForNicky, man. [Laughs] He’s constantly like, “Hey, this might happen, this might happen.” And what happens? “Interesting.” I feel like Nicky gets the sharp end of the blade here. I feel like he suffers the consequences of a lot of the choices that the group makes, and that’s tough. But I think in that way, when things start to happen, and pieces are put together, and the arc of the plan comes together, Nicky is one of the first to get on board with that. So, there’s a method to the madness, and I feel like Nicky, while he suffers from a lot of things, he isn’t stubborn and finds his way. I’m trying to tiptoe around things, but I’d say that, yeah, he finds his way.
Be sure to check out some of our other Institute season 2-related coverage with:
New episodes of The Institute season 2 air Sundays at 9 p.m. EST on MGM+!
The Institute
The Institute, released in 2025, follows 14-year-old genius Luke Ellis, who is kidnapped and wakes up at a mysterious facility filled with children possessing unusual abilities. Meanwhile, Tim Jamieson, a former police officer, seeks a fresh start in a nearby town, inevitably intertwining his fate with Luke’s.
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