The Rig season two

Venturing into new terrain geographically and thematically, the second season of David Macpherson’s The Rig ambitiously builds on its predecessor. Whereas the first instalment of the supernatural thriller series centred on the enduring consequences of humanity’s ecological transgressions, this follow-up thrusts its characters into the frozen, unyielding expanse of the Arctic where the stakes are raised, and the enigmatic Ancestor emerges as an even more potent force.

The crew’s transition from the Kinloch Bravo on the North Sea to The Stac – a cutting-edge deep-sea mining facility in the Arctic – where the story unfolds, underscores the relentless exploitation of the planet’s resources. The cinematography contrasts the stark, unforgiving polar expanse with the oppressive claustrophobia of the offshore facility, highlighting the raw force of nature and Pictor Energy’s unyielding quest to dominate it. Furthermore, the team’s fight against the unforgiving environment, combined with Pictor’s ruthless machinations, emphasises the uneasy clash between nature’s resilience and human avarice.

Despite the severe conditions, The Rig’s ensemble cast rises to the occasion once again, as Rose Mason (Emily Hampshire) contends with the dual pressures of her newfound leadership and unresolved past, while her contentious relationship with Fulmer Hamilton (Martin Compston) highlights the personal toll of their shared ordeal, though the hints of a budding romance between them feel misplaced. Despite relinquishing authority to Rose, Magnus Macmillan (Iain Glen) remains a moral anchor and commanding presence amidst shifting allegiances. A notable addition is Rose’s former mentor and Pictor’s newly appointed CEO, Morgan Lennox (Alice Krige), who arrives aboard with a poised, calculated demeanour, sparking pressing questions about where Rose’s true loyalties lie.

The Ancestor, introduced as a shadowy, supernatural force connected to ecological upheaval, naturally begins to take on a larger role in this arc. While the growing influence of the sea-dwelling entity and the existential threat it poses offer a strong foundation for deepening the series’ critique of corporate exploitation of the natural world, the second chapter of The Rig struggles to maintain the immediate tension and stakes at hand as it introduces broader existential themes. While it serves as a natural continuation and retains the atmospheric tension of the original, it falls short of building on the strong groundwork laid in the first season.

Christina Yang

The Rig season two is released on Prime Video on 2^nd January 2025.

Watch the trailer for The Rig season two here: