Paradise: Julianne Nicholson and Thomas Doherty Discuss Season 2 Finale

Julianne Nicholson didn't know Sinatra's fate when she first signed on to play the villain in Paradise. Creator Dan Fogelman likes to keep some mystery, even among the cast, so the actress didn't find out Sinatra was going to sacrifice herself until they started production on season two. Nicholson comments that Sinatra's goodbye, both literally and visually, is astounding. This revelation came in the season two finale, titled “Exodus,” before Sinatra stayed behind to destroy the bunker she helped create, dying in the process. Paradise answered season two's big looming question: Who is Alex?, revealing that “Alex” is a quantum computer designed to play with time. When Sinatra meets Doherty's character, who had gone by the nickname Link until now, she believes he is her son, who died in childhood, and that his existence is proof that Alex works.

“You have to believe in the story — and then go get your PhD in quantum physics and it will all make sense,” says Nicholson with a laugh. “But Samantha believes that Link/Dylan is her son, so that’s what I had to hold onto.” The co-stars share what the writers explained to them about the AI quantum computer named Alex that will steer Paradise into season three, now that Xavier, played by Sterling K. Brown, has been tasked with finding Alex and saving the world, while Nicholson shares how she's processing that moving goodbye to Sinatra after two seasons: “She kind of breaks my heart”.

Doherty confesses that he wasn't initially going to audition, but after reading the character description, which required a burly man, he decided to try. He got the job quickly, moving to Los Angeles in a week. He reveals that he didn't know the full scope of his character at first. The writers gave him a general idea of the direction his character would take, which is rare in television, where scripts are often not written while filming. Nicholson, for her part, was completely unaware of the scope of her character at first, including nosebleeds and other mysterious elements. It wasn't until later in the episodes that everything began to make sense in terms of alternative timelines. Dan Fogelman revealed the idea of Alex to her but asked her not to say anything, leaving her trying to figure it out for herself.

Nicholson emphasizes that Sinatra's story is moving to her, allowing her to explore different facets of a character's life. She considers that Sinatra breaks her heart, and praises Dan for his ability to work in gray areas. Doherty adds that something changes in Nicholson's gaze, transforming from Sinatra to Samantha. When they began receiving the scripts for the last two episodes, and given the current AI era, Doherty shares that for a long time they discussed trying to understand Alex. Nicholson points out that to understand the story, it is necessary to believe in it and accept that there are elements that require a certain suspension of disbelief, such as Samantha's belief that Link/Dylan is her son.

Nicholson explains that although the concepts were explained to her several times, if it became too literal, everything fell apart. Doherty agrees, stating that it is necessary to trust and believe in the story. Both actors agree that the emotional connection and trust in the narrative were crucial. The story of Alex, the quantum computer, raises questions about the present world, especially in the AI era, and how attention should be paid. Doherty emphasizes the importance of focusing on what one can control, such as how one behaves and treats others. Nicholson highlights that the series is a wake-up call about how we treat the environment and the climate crisis, as well as the need to pay attention to AI and hold people accountable.

Nicholson expresses her excitement about the possibility of collaborating with Sterling K. Brown in the future, and highlights the importance of Sinatra's farewell, feeling that she was doing justice to the character. Doherty shares that the final scene was a relief, and that Sinatra was genuinely happy to see Xavier. Nicholson explains that the open ending of the series, with the idea of different timelines, offers hope and the possibility of her characters meeting again. The actress highlights that the series addresses important issues such as the climate crisis and AI, serving as a wake-up call to pay attention to the world around us.