Hulu's Only 10/10 Sci-Fi Thriller Sets a Gold Standard With Season 2

4 days ago 9

A group are given a tour in 'Paradise' Season 2

Published Feb 23, 2026, 3:22 PM EST

In over three years at Collider, senior author Jake has now penned over 2500 articles covering a wide range of TV and film for the resources, lists, utilities, news, and interview teams. Alongside interviewing stars such as Selin Hizli, Rose Ayling-Ellis, Harlan Coben, and Chelsea Peretti, Jake was lucky enough to visit the set of Aardman and Netflix's Wallace and Gromit: A Vengeance Most Fowl in 2024, getting the chance to chat with four-time Academy Award winner Nick Park and Merlin Crossingham. Jake has also worked for other publications, including Agents of Fandom.

Plenty of shows took 2025 audiences by surprise. Alongside Jack Thorne and Stephen Graham's Adolescence stunning audiences into vital discourse and hit medical drama The Pitt outperforming most expectations, it was a Hulu political thriller that no one expected to be a post-apocalyptic sci-fi tale that is possibly the year's biggest TV surprise. Paradise, a series that marked a reunion for This Is Us showrunner Dan Fogelman and star Sterling K. Brown, delivered eight unmissable episodes in 2025 and a quick second-season renewal.

After almost a year of waiting, that second season finally arrived today, with the first three episodes debuting at the same time on Hulu. "In season two, Xavier searches for Teri out in the world and learns how people survived the three years since The Day," an official synopsis for Season 2 reveals. It continues, "Back in Paradise, the social fabric frays as the bunker deals with the aftermath of Season 1, and new secrets are uncovered about the city's origins."

Today, the embargo was lifted on official reviews of Paradise Season 2, revealing that critics are already confirming this to be no one-season wonder. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, following the first 30 reviews, Paradise Season 2 boasts a near-perfect 90% score and is already "certified fresh." Called a "cut-above" by one critic and "the best show of the year" by another, this impressive score is already a 4% increase on the four-time Primetime Emmy-nominated first season.

'Paradise' Season 2 is "Even Better" Than Season 1

Sterling K. Brown as Agent Xavier Collins wearing a tactical vest with other people in Paradise.

Among the many critics praising Paradise Season 2 is Collider's Meredith Loftus, who awarded it a 7/10 score in her official review. "Fogelman and Brown ambitiously bring Paradise to the next level with Season 2, and, by and large, they succeed," Loftus wrote, adding, "Even with a heavier emphasis on life after the apocalypse, the show's political thriller themes remain as timely as ever, and the stakes are elevated with twists that connect the season's characters in surprising ways." She concluded:

"Previously, Brown discussed a three-season plan for the series, and if things go according to plan, then Paradise Season 2 is a worthy middle chapter that stands strong while setting up an explosive Season 3."

The first three episodes of Paradise Season 2 are available now on Hulu. Make sure to stay tuned to Collider for the latest updates.