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The latest season of Paradise has arrived, bringing fresh faces to the forefront. Following its February 23 debut with a three-episode premiere on Hulu, viewers have already been introduced to two significant new characters.
The ensemble cast of Paradise sees the return of Season 1 regulars, including Sterling K. Brown, Julianne Nicholson, Krys Marshall, Sarah Shahi, Nicole Brydon Bloom, James Marsden, and Jon Beavers. However, Season 2 kicks off by taking us back to the pivotal “The Day,” depicting the dramatic events that reshaped the world. It’s during this flashback that we meet newcomers Annie, played by Shailene Woodley, and Link, portrayed by Thomas Doherty, as they navigate the chaos outside a billionaire’s bunker in Colorado.
Warning: Spoilers for Paradise Season 2, Episode 1 follow.
Who exactly is Link in Paradise? What can viewers expect from Thomas Doherty in this role, and why might his face seem familiar? We have the details on Link’s character, Doherty’s career highlights, and insights from the actor himself about his role in Season 2.
Who Is Link On Paradise?
In a comprehensive review by Decider on Paradise Season 2, we learn that during the catastrophe, Annie Clay, played by Woodley, was employed as a tour guide at Graceland, the iconic home of Elvis Presley in Memphis. As chaos erupted, Annie sought refuge in Elvis’s basement TV room. Although Cal, portrayed by Marsden, managed to avert a nuclear explosion with a last-minute EMP burst, the remaining harsh conditions and scarce supplies posed significant challenges for the survivors. This episode stands out as one of the series’ most compelling, showcasing Annie’s fight for survival and featuring a standout performance by Woodley. While her solo journey captivates, the plot thickens when Link, a fellow survivor seeking the Colorado bunker, encounters Annie with around 40 minutes left in the episode.
In less than an hour, “Graceland” delivers an epic survivalist story, a moving exploration of grief, and a profound portrait of human connection. Doherty impressively levels up, playing against type as Link, and while he uses his burly beard and unkempt appearance to help him look like more of a leader, as we come to learn, he has lots of heart, humor, and love to share — plus, a few secrets.
After the two fall for each other, Link begs Annie to leave Graceland and join him and his group on their trek to the bunker, but Annie — terrified of trusting someone new and leaving her safe space behind — locks herself away until he departs. Before Link leaves, we see him get a suspicious bloody nose and learn he’s heading to the bunker to “kill Alex,” and while we’re not sure what those things mean just yet, it seems Doherty’s character has deeper ties to the bunker than we know about. He also promises Annie that he’ll come back for her one day, and at the end of the episode we learn she’s pregnant with his child! Oh, and did we mention Xavier has been seeing visions or memories of Link despite never having met him?! Yeah, we have questions!
Without spoiling anything, this thankfully isn’t the last time we see Link in Paradise Season 2, so let’s get to know Thomas Doherty better, shall we?
Who Plays Link On Paradise? Why Thomas Doherty Looks So Familiar
As noted, Link on Paradise is played by Thomas Doherty, a 30-year-old Scottish actor and singer with 20 IMDb credits thus far. If Doherty looks familiar, you’ve likely seen him as Leo in Season 2 of Hulu’s hit series Tell Me Lies, as Max Wolfe in the recent Gossip Girl reboot, or as Harry in the Descendants films. But he’s also starred in a number of films and TV series including Girls5eva, High Fidelity, Legacies, Catherine the Great, The Lodge, and more.
When chatting with Doherty ahead of Paradise Season 2, here’s what the guest star had to say about his experience on Dan Fogelman’s set.
“It taught me that I’m so fortunate in my life and I get to work with the people that I work with, and experience the things I get to experience because of other people in my life. I can’t take any credit ultimately. That’s what Paradise taught me,” Doherty reflected. “Being around people like Julianne and Sterling, being around Shailene, and everyone on the cast — to see the the successes of these people, and the gifts, and the talent of these people and the overriding humility of all of them, that really made me self-evaluate. It really made me look at where I am, and how I am, where I am. And the credit goes to other people, or to the universe, or whatever it is you believe.”
While we wait to see more of Doherty’s time on Paradise, you can stay up-to-date with the star by following him on Instagram at @thomasadoherty. Tune in to new episodes of Paradise Mondays on Hulu!
Stay tuned for more Paradise Season 2 coverage on Decider.
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