Eyes on the 'Prize': Second season of Apple TV+ series brings new relationships and new questions

Apr. 27—A bond is difficult to break — just ask Chris O'Dowd and Josh Segarra.

The two actors return for the second season of "The Big Door Prize," which is airing on Apple TV+.

Segarra says while filming, there were some challenges.

"The hardest part is that we filmed the series during COVID," Segarra says. "We couldn't hang out with each other. One of the best things about what we get to do is come together with your friends and other artists while you are creating this thing together. Part of that is hugging each other and kissing each other on the cheek and laughing together. We had to figure out ways around that, which is why it feels a little more special."

O'Dowd plays Dusty in the series and Segarra plays Giorgio.

When the captivating first season of "The Big Door Prize" came to a close, Deerfield was plunged into darkness due to an unexpected power outage. This left Dusty and Cass, played by Gabrielle Dennis, suspended on a Ferris wheel, contemplating the future of their relationship.

In the midst of the chaos, Giorgio, played the hero, rescuing his friends and capturing Nat's heart in the process.

Meanwhile, Beau, played by Aaron Roman, rescued Izzy, played by Crystal Fox, from the corn maze using his trusty chainsaw.

Trina, played by Djouliet Amara and Jacob, played by Sammy Fourlas committed to dating — despite not knowing what the future holds for them — and Hana, played by Ally Maki and Father Reuben, played by Damon Gupton, delved deeper into their shared past.

Amidst the stormy blackout, one beacon remained: the luminous blue glow from Mr. Johnson's General Store.

Curious residents were drawn to it, only to discover the Morpho machine — still powered during the blackout — displaying a tantalizing message: "ARE YOU READY FOR THE NEXT STAGE?"

Based on M.O. Walsh's novel, "The Big Door Prize" season two follows the residents of Deerfield as the Morpho machine readies them for the mysterious "next stage."

As everyone's potentials are exchanged for visions, new relationships form and new questions are asked.

Dusty and Cass decide to take time apart, while Trina and Jacob learn that they can shed their old labels.

Giorgio and Izzy each find romance, while Hana and Father Reuben attempt to discover the purpose of the machine.

The small town is once again left questioning what they thought they knew about their lives, relationships, potentials, and about the Morpho itself.

O'Dowd says the second season brings many changes for the characters.

"It's been interesting to see the consequences of these decisions that they've made play out in season two," O'Dowd says. "There's kind of a time bomb has been thrown into this small town and the emotional shrapnel is kind of reverberating through the streets. Dusty is questioning whether his marriage is right, whether his life is right. And he gains more information from the Morpho machine in the shape of a vision, which he obviously over interprets, just as the rest of them do. They are drawn into further revelations about the past and the future and whatnot."

Segarra got to spend time on the screen with Mary Holland, who plays Nat.

He says this season was great because he felt like he was working with a friend.

"Giorgio is a romantic who is hitting his stride," Segarra says. "Before we started filming, Mary and I would text each other while we prepared for the series. Getting to share the screen with her in the series is amazing."

O'Dowd is looking forward to viewers seeing the journey of the characters in season two.

"David (West Read) has created such a warm and beautiful world in Deerfield," O'Dowd says. "We've, I suppose, spent the last 15 episodes building up these characters. We're going to have to deal with some huge life decisions. I think the audience is going to really enjoy watching them play that out. I'm hoping that people will get caught up in other people's decisions, because that's what we usually do in life."