Apple TV+'s series "Hijack," which stars Idris Elba, will return for a second season. The initial season, released in 2023, depicted a plane hijacking from Dubai. Season 2 transitions the setting to a subway train in Germany.
Jim Field Smith, the series co-creator, executive producer, and lead director for the second season, discussed the decision to continue the series. Smith stated that despite the self-contained nature of the first season, the pseudo-real-time format of a seven-hour flight meant Sam Nelson, the protagonist, underwent limited fundamental character change. This format left unanswered questions regarding the hijackers' motivations, the relationships between crime lords, and Sam's personal life with his estranged family. Season 2 provides an opportunity to explore these unresolved aspects and utilize the audience's existing familiarity with Sam's character.
Smith aimed for Season 2 to be a "yin and yang partner piece" to Season 1, focusing on opposites. While Sam was a reactive passenger in the first season, Season 2 positions him as a potential instigator of events. The shift from an airplane at 35,000 feet to an underground train was also a deliberate choice for contrast.
Season 2 takes place two years after the plane hijack, with Sam Nelson pursuing "revenge and justice." He becomes involved in a new hijack scenario on a Berlin U-Bahn train, where hundreds of passengers are trapped for approximately eight hours.
Production Challenges and Setting
The change in setting presented unique production challenges compared to an airplane. Smith noted that while an airplane environment has a "contract" between passengers, a subway train's occupants are random, making the situation distinct. Additionally, unlike the contained nature of an airplane, a subway allows for more character movement, and passengers do not immediately realize the train is hijacked, a plot element explored in the initial episodes.
From a technical perspective, Season 2 required extensive set construction. Filmed primarily on a set in London over nine months, the production accurately replicated the dimensions of a U-Bahn train. Two full-scale subway trains were built. One, an "interior train," was placed on a hydraulic rig with two separate carriages to simulate realistic movement, which is utilized for dramatic effect in the final episode. A second "real working train" was constructed for both interior and exterior shots, designed to move in and out of the equally accurate train station and tunnel sets. This approach allowed for greater control and avoided the complexities of filming in real, active subway environments. The accuracy of these sets was such that Berlin-based crew members were reportedly fooled by the footage of the constructed sets.
U-Bahn Control Center and Thematic Changes
The U-Bahn control center, unlike its real-life digital counterpart, was semi-fictionalized for visual impact. Smith observed that real U-Bahn control rooms feature digital screens which he found uncompelling for visual storytelling. During a visit, he discovered an older, analog system beneath a plastic sheet in a mothballed room, which inspired the retro, light-twinkling control panel seen in the show. This analog aesthetic provided a contrast to the digital air traffic control of Season 1, offering a distinct visual and auditory experience.
A subtle but vital change for Season 2 was the color palette. Moving from the bright, light tones of a luxury airline, Season 2 adopted greens, browns, and grays, drawing inspiration from Berlin's underground environment. Smith stated that this visual imagery and color palette reflect Sam's mental state, symbolizing his journey to find his way out of a "literal and metaphorical maze" and "get to the end of the tunnel."
Smith concluded that continuously pushing for new environments and challenges helps him and his team do their best work. While he would not set Season 3 on another plane, he acknowledged that "anything is possible" for Sam Nelson's future, implying potential new high-stakes scenarios.
"Hijack Season 2" is scheduled to premiere on January 14 on Apple TV+.