Season 2 of the Hulu series 'Paradise' plunged viewers into a wild ride of twists, turns, and shocking revelations, significantly reshaping the narrative and setting the stage for its final season. The season focused on a group of outside world survivors, led by Link (Thomas Doherty), on a perilous journey to an rumored underground bunker. Their path intersected with Annie (Shailene Woodley) in Graceland, leading to a quick, intimate, and impactful bond that redefined Link's trajectory and ultimately intertwined his fate with Xavier (Sterling K. Brown).

Thomas Doherty, who joined the series in Season 2, revealed that he had little prior knowledge of his character's full arc or the season's scope. He likened the experience to working in TV where scripts evolve during production, making it challenging yet exciting to develop Link's character. He highlighted the rapid turnaround for his and Woodley's casting, emphasizing the need to establish Link's continuity despite the unknowns. Doherty credited creator Dan Fogelman and his team for their openness in discussing character details, contrasting it with previous experiences where information was withheld.

The intense, personal connection between Link and Annie was central to Link's development. Doherty worked with an acting coach to build Link's backstory, portraying him as initially reserved and untrusting due to past experiences. Meeting Annie broke down these walls, especially through moments of physical intimacy that Link had been deprived of for years. This vulnerability revealed his true self, and Annie's influence became a powerful motivator for him, even after her decision to stay behind ultimately brought her into Xavier's life, and consequently, Xavier into Link's.

Doherty described the transition from Link's isolated journey with Annie and his crew to merging with the established characters of 'Paradise' as feeling like