Laura Donnelly Unveils 'Werewolf by Night' Sequel Secrets

Actress Laura Donnelly, known for her diverse roles from Broadway to Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, recently sat down with Collider’s Steve Weintraub to discuss her current and upcoming projects, offering insights into Apple TV’s “Sugar” Season 2, the potential for a “Werewolf by Night” sequel, and her new Netflix series, “Kennedy.” Donnelly joins Academy Award nominee Colin Farrell in the detective series “Sugar,” which returns for a second season under new showrunner Sam Catlin.

Donnelly teased that “Sugar” Season 2 delves into darker, more violent, yet also more beautiful and innocent territory, introducing new characters and an expanded mystery. Her character, Charlotte, is shrouded in ambiguity, with Donnelly noting that viewers will never quite know where they stand with any character, a quality she appreciates about the show’s genre-flipping nature. She highlighted Catlin’s contribution, stating he brings “a real beauty of clarity and nuance to the writing and to the characters.” Donnelly also shared a humorous anecdote about her condition for joining the show: she insisted on having scenes in a car with Farrell, emphasizing her desire to be on location rather than just in a bar or hotel. She praised Farrell as a truthful and layered actor, making it easy for her to respond to his energy in scenes.

The discussion also touched upon the evolution of Colin Farrell’s character, John Sugar, who is now tasked with finding a missing boxer’s brother while still searching for his own sister. Donnelly described Sugar’s journey in Season 2 as akin to a child entering their teenage years, learning about the full spectrum of human experience. Sam Catlin, as the new showrunner, is credited with resolving Season 1 mysteries quickly to refocus on the private investigator genre, balancing the show's sci-fi mythology with its noir detective elements, and exploring the logic behind Sugar's alien blood and extraterrestrial resources.

Donnelly, who played Elsa Bloodstone in Marvel’s “Werewolf by Night,” expressed her continued enjoyment in discussing the Disney special. She noted that her daughters are particularly fond of it, seeing her act with a werewolf. When asked about a potential sequel, she optimistically suggested there might still be a “future reference,” given Marvel’s tendency to revisit projects years later.

Switching gears, Donnelly also shared details about her upcoming Netflix series, “Kennedy,” where she stars opposite Michael Fassbender, who plays Joseph Kennedy Sr. While currently focused on the beginning of Joe and Rose Kennedy’s story and their children’s formative years, Donnelly suggested the family saga has the potential for multiple seasons. She teased that the involvement of director Thomas Vinterberg for the first and last episodes indicates an “unusual” and “really original” tone for the series.

Reflecting on her extensive theater background, including performances on Broadway and in the West End, Donnelly contrasted the audiences, describing Broadway audiences as “more of everything” – louder laughs, more profound silences, and a greater immersion into the performance. She attributed this to Broadway’s unique cultural status in New York. When asked which past role she would revisit, Donnelly chose “The Ferryman,” citing its personal nature and the fun she had with the large Irish cast.

Finally, Donnelly offered insights into her acting process for emotional scenes. She revealed that her current approach is to deliberately forget about the upcoming intensity, avoiding building pressure and self-consciousness. She prefers to be lighthearted and joking right up until the moment of “action,” a method she has adopted over time as she learned to relinquish control, which she believes has enhanced her work experience and allowed her to shed fear.