The cast of Surface Season 2—Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Millie Brady, and Gavin Drea—sat down with The Knockturnal to break down the latest season, delving into character motivations, emotional conflicts, and the high-stakes storytelling that keeps audiences hooked.
One of the biggest questions this season revolves around Sophie’s (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) decision to conceal the true extent of her memory loss from Eliza (Millie Brady) and Callum (Gavin Drea). The cast explains that Sophie approaches her life like a detective—if she admitted how little she remembers, she’d lose any advantage she has. Instead, she strategically gathers information, keeping a poker face as she pieces together the fragments of her past.
A key moment in this season highlights Sophie’s investigative mindset: upon learning that Callum recorded their first conversation, she immediately asks for the tape, seeing it as a crucial clue rather than just a casual memory. As she immerses herself in the aristocratic world, blending in with high society, Sophie’s quiet yet relentless search for the truth keeps viewers on edge.
Millie Brady steps into the role of Eliza, a character battling deep-seated trauma while navigating a strained romantic relationship. The cast acknowledges that Eliza isn’t the most emotionally available partner, largely due to her upbringing in a secretive, dysfunctional family. Her past with Sophie haunts her, and she has internalized the belief that people inevitably leave—making her wary of fully trusting anyone, including her current girlfriend.
Despite her emotional detachment, Sophie remains the one person capable of breaking through Eliza’s defenses. Their complicated history adds layers to Eliza’s internal struggle, as she fights to reject the toxic patterns of her past while unknowingly repeating them.
James (Oliver Jackson-Cohen) has endured his fair share of deception from Sophie, yet his ability to forgive her remains a central theme. The cast explains that James’ relationship with Sophie is built on a sense of mutual salvation—despite the chaos, they have profoundly shaped each other’s lives. His actions are less about blind forgiveness and more about deep understanding.
While some might view James as a villain, the conversation reveals that he is neither hero nor antagonist. Instead, he is a man caught in a web of deception, torn between love and self-preservation. Though he refuses to be entirely manipulated, his bond with Sophie prevents him from walking away completely.
Season 2 introduces Callum, a journalist played by Gavin Drea, whose interactions with Sophie challenge his views on law enforcement and truth-seeking. The cast delves into the real-world struggles of investigative journalism, particularly in the UK, where stringent libel laws make exposing the powerful an uphill battle.
Callum’s frustration grows as he witnesses how wealth and influence can manipulate the legal system. To uncover the truth, he finds himself operating in morally gray areas, sometimes bending the rules to hold those in power accountable. His arc underscores a fundamental question: When the system is rigged, is it ever justifiable to break the rules?
As the conversation wraps up, the cast reflects on the season’s intricate storytelling and emotionally charged moments. With moral dilemmas, shifting loyalties, and deep personal reckonings, Surface Season 2 pushes its characters—and its audience—to question the nature of truth, trust, and identity.
