‘Westworld’ Season 2 Spoilers: Jimmi Simpson Addresses Possibility of William’s Return; Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood Confirm Involvement

‘Westworld’ season 2 is expected to return to HBO in 2018 but details of the season’s storyline remain elusive. Jimmi Simpson recently addressed the possible return of his character William, who is the younger version of the Man in Black. Ed Harris and Evan Rachel Wood have also confirmed their involvement in the upcoming season.

According to Screen Rant, Simpson addressed the possibility of his character William’s return on the second season of HBO’s widely popular science-fiction western thriller television series during an interview with GQ.

Simpson said, “So far, my involvement in [season 2] is unclear. If they have more for William, I would assume it would be a whole new kind of story. Because I feel like this story, the love affair [with Evan Rachel Wood’s character, Dolores], we know everything, we know what happens, we don’t have to belabor that point. But if they have a reason – I mean, it was the greatest set I’ve ever worked on. But we’re all speculating what season 2 will be, and I think it’ll be something that will blow our minds, to the degree that season 1 did. But I wouldn’t be surprised if William showed up season 3 or something.”

William was revealed to be the younger counterpart of Ed Harris’ Man in Black, a wealthy and sadistic guest. He was both the show’s protagonist and supporting antagonist in the first season and was first introduced as a new guest entering the Wild West-themed amusement park with his friend and future brother-in-law Logan (Ben Barnes).

Although Harris will be returning to reprise his role as the Man in Black in the upcoming season, it remains unclear whether Simpson will be returning as young William. Harris confirmed his involvement last year during an interview with BBC Radio 4. The critically-acclaimed actor said, ““They’re going to do 10 more episodes, and I will be involved.”

Evan Rachel Wood, who plays the main protagonist Dolores Abernathy, also confirmed her return during a previous interview. James Marsden and Thandie Newton, who play Teddy and Maeve respectively, are expected to return but have not confirmed it as of the present.

According to Daily Dot, the television series is based on Michael Crichton’s 1973 film of the same name. The story takes place in a technologically advanced fictional Wild West-themed amusement park where androids reside as “hosts.” The park caters to wealthy human visitors called “guests,” who can do whatever they want within its perimeters.

It was previously revealed by showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy that season 2 will explore more about hosts themselves. Nolan explained, “Their construction and their power source is something we’re really going to get into during season 2.”

He continued, “They’re closer to biological than they are mechanical, but they don’t suffer brain death the same way we do… [In] season 2, we’ll be exploring more of the nuts and bolts of what they are—as the hosts themselves are trying to understand.”

‘Westworld’ season 2 is expected to premiere in HBO sometime in 2018.