The first season of Apple TV+’s dystopian thriller series, Silo, concluded with a stunning finale, and now the anticipation for the second season is rapidly growing. In a recent interview with Collider’s Steve Weintraub, Rebecca Ferguson, the star and executive producer, shared insights about the upcoming season. She revealed that her character, Juliette Nichols, will face a challenging situation as she finds herself outside the silo without a clear path forward. With numerous other silos surrounding her, the question remains: are they all interconnected?
In the first season of Silo, there remains an unanswered question regarding the bottommost part of the silo. Juliette, who has a paralyzing fear of water, finds herself dangerously close to what appears to be a reservoir at the base. Will this element play a significant role again? It’s akin to Chekhov’s gun, or in this case, Chekhov’s water. When asked about this intriguing aspect, Ferguson playfully teased:
“Oh, my friend, you’ll have to wait and see. It’s such a compelling question. If I reveal it, I might have to resort to extreme measures. So, we’re caught in that predicament. There’s a substantial door down there, and we haven’t introduced it without intending to explore its purpose. I’ll simply leave it at that.”
How Long Could Silo Run?
The series is based on Hugh Howey’s written works. It all began in 2011 with the release of the short story “Wool,” which was later combined with four additional novellas to form a novel of the same name. In addition to “Wool,” the series encompasses “Shift,” “Dust,” three short stories, and “Wool: The Graphic Novel.” This flexible structure allows for the possibility of a concise three-season run or potential expansion, depending on the creative team’s vision and Apple TV+’s stance on the show’s future.
Rebecca Ferguson has already signed her contract and committed herself to the project for “two, three years” ahead. Instead of speculating about the potential number of seasons, Ferguson prefers to focus on the second season and see where it leads. Her intention is to continue working on Silo for the foreseeable future, with the only caveat being a potential SAG-AFTRA strike. She further added:
“As a businesswoman, I approach situations with a clear mindset. I enter into contracts and negotiate deals while keeping my goals in focus. Unfortunately, I can’t disclose the specifics of those deals to you. [Laughs] I have a definite vision of what I want. The decision also rests with my fantastic team at Apple, as we collectively consider the best course of action. We all take precautions and strategize for the future. At this stage in my career and with my experiences, I don’t adopt a “let’s see what happens” mentality, you know? I’m already setting aside time in November for another shoot.”
Ferguson further expressed, “I always think ahead, considering the next two or three years. Currently, sir, we have an incredible show on our hands, and we’ve received the green light for the second season. Apple is highly satisfied, and I couldn’t be happier. That’s all I can reveal for now. We’ve recently commenced filming for Season 2, so we’re fully immersed and right at the start of the production. I am committed to this project for the foreseeable future.”
Ferguson is a Fan of Silo’s Production and Apple TV+
Ferguson was eager to elaborate on her praise for both Apple and the production of the series. She commended their ability to blend techniques and styles, bringing in different directors and experimenting with what works and what doesn’t. This approach in Season 1 garnered widespread acclaim. Ferguson anticipates that this process will become even more refined as the show progresses into its second year.
“We collaborate with different units and directors, and it’s something I truly enjoy because each person has their own style and approach,” she explained. “So what we witnessed in Season 1 isn’t merely a mishmash of what worked or didn’t work. It’s an ongoing evolution as new directors come on board for specific episodes. They will explore what they like or dislike, where they want to take it, and the desired atmosphere they aim for. Do they want a touch of Wes Anderson? Or perhaps a hint of David Lynch? It’s about finding the creative vision that suits their episodes.”
Ferguson continued, expressing her admiration for this aspect of the production process. “And that’s what I love. Each creative individual is right for their episodes. Of course, there is a common thread running through the series, as you can’t wander off in every direction. However, there is plenty to learn. We all learn different things and have our unique preferences. What’s truly amazing, and once again, I must give credit to Apple—because I am one of their biggest fans—is their trust in this process. They trust Graham, the directors, and us, which allows us the freedom to create. This level of trust is not something you commonly find in studios. So, it’s like a playground—a fantastic playground.”
She continued, “I feel like their sponsor, but I genuinely love them. Putting aside the fact that we’re working on Silo, the shows they produce are meticulously crafted with a clear purpose and intention. You can see a consistent thread of quality running through them. I feel immensely honored that we have the opportunity to create this show for Apple.”
An essential element of this creative process is the writing on the show, with Graham Yost playing a significant role in it. During a writers’ strike, the importance of the work done behind the scenes becomes even more evident, although it should always be valued. Ferguson admires how the show sets up ideas and then skillfully pays them off. She appreciates that it doesn’t provide answers to every question but provides enough to keep viewers coming back for more. Ferguson shared her thoughts:
“With the writers—and I’m specifically referring to Season 2—I’ve noticed that things I questioned before and things that piqued my curiosity are tied together. If there’s one thing Graham excels at, it’s connecting the dots. The show may not offer complete answers to everything, but it satisfies your curiosity about the major questions. There are still emotional aspects and the ‘why’ or ‘how’ behind certain events that may not be fully answered. It extends to the characters themselves and the little secrets we hold as actors. However, the way everything is interconnected is brilliantly written. Absolutely brilliant.”
Ferguson Shares Her Biggest Challenge
Playing Juliette has the potential to become a defining role for Ferguson’s career. Portraying the lead in a critically acclaimed series, especially when she has already achieved stardom through projects like Mission: Impossible, certainly propels her on a particular trajectory. The opportunity to tell a story over an extended period of time allows her to showcase her skills and explore the nuances of the character, bringing more of herself into the performance.
However, in the case of Juliette, her character is so emotionally closed off from others that Ferguson had to consciously resist injecting too much of her own personality into the role. This presented her with a significant challenge.
“I was having so much fun… Personally, as Rebecca, I am a curious person who engages actively in work, interviews, and promotions. I speak my mind. I’m not loud, but I’m not afraid of making a fool of myself. However, in my private life, I am rather quiet and calm. I have these two distinct identities. Juliette, on the other hand, is socially awkward, and I am not. I mean, perhaps I can be socially awkward because I tend to be very straightforward [laughs], and some people may find that uncomfortable. But I am not like Juliette, who feels uncomfortable around people and dislikes their energy. She keeps her distance from others and avoids being close to them. Sometimes, when I became comfortable in a scene, I would forget about it and slip into my own character. So I had to employ certain techniques to snap myself back into Juliette’s mindset. It involved how she carries herself, the way she shrugs or leans back when people lean forward. I found that quite challenging.”
Silo Season 1 is now available to stream on Apple TV+. Be sure to check out our interview with Ferguson for Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning below.
Source: Collider
