“You can never fully rely on where this is going”: Laura Donnelly, Raymond Lee, and Jin Ha on Sugar season 2

What makes Apple TV+’s Sugar so compelling is the way it completely collides two utterly different worlds. On the surface, the series leans heavily into the moody trappings of a neo-noir detective story, only to completely flip the script with its massive sci-fi twist: private investigator John Sugar is actually an alien. But rather than fleeing Earth when his extraterrestrial peers evacuated at the end of season one, he chose to stay behind. What elevates the show beyond a simple high-concept gimmick is that, despite not being human, Sugar possesses a staggering amount of empathy. Colin Farrell, an actor audiences have grown up watching, finds an incredible vehicle here for his full range, balancing the sharp instincts of a hardboiled PI with an immense vulnerability – a dynamic that deepens in season two as a love story is thrown into the mix. As the new episodes plunge viewers into the gritty underbelly of Los Angeles, the narrative holds up a mirror to the outsider perspective and the immigrant experience through his eyes. Speaking with The Upcoming, the cast reflected on the deep themes of the new season and working opposite their enigmatic lead.

Diving into this atmospheric world was a natural fit for Laura Donnelly, who grew up watching screen legends like Lauren Bacall. We discussed stepping into those classical noir archetypes, particularly how her character, Charlotte, leans into the traditional “femme fatale” stereotype only to completely turn it on its head. Donnelly loved how the scripts constantly push against audience expectations, noting, “You can never fully rely on where this is going.” She also opened up about the unique challenge of viewing humanity through the eyes of a complete innocent, and what it was like working opposite Farrell, whom she describes as a true leader on set who “doesn’t seem to have a cynical bone in his body”.

For Raymond Lee and Jin Ha, joining the cast meant capturing a deeply lived-in brotherly relationship right from the jump while simultaneously hitting the boxing ring for some intense physical training. The duo spoke with us about hanging out in Koreatown to build their bond and why Sugar’s deep well of empathy makes the series a surprisingly uplifting experience. Reflecting on Farrell’s complex performance, Ha noted, “Even though he’s an alien, there is some part of him that we can latch on to to be like, ‘Oh, but you’re also human.'”

Sarah Bradbury

Sugar season two is released on Apple TV+ on 19^th June 2025.

Watch the trailer for Sugar season two here: