Sugar is an intriguing show. The Colin Farrell-led Apple TV series, which first premiered two years ago, follows a private investigator and cinephile based in LA who investigates the case of a missing woman. Sounds straightforward enough, but there’s a twist: The titular John Sugar isn’t human, nor is he from Earth. He’s a blue-skinned alien disguising himself as a human with Farrell’s handsome looks.

Sugar Season 1 began as a promising homage to classic film noir before revealing a twist that would ultimately define the series for many viewers. Almost two years later, Season 2 is finally premiering on Apple TV, with Farrell returning alongside a mostly new cast, and the marketing has been peculiar, to say the least. Not only are trailers for the new installment still concealing the fact that its lead character is an alien, but Season 2 itself also devotes less focus to the show’s biggest sci-fi revelation, both for better and for worse.

What Is ‘Sugar’ Season 2 About?

While most of the members of his alien race have left Earth, John Sugar continues to work as a PI on the streets of Los Angeles. He longs to find his missing sister, Djen (Maeve Djen), but he also needs another case to keep him occupied. That’s when he meets Danny Moon (Jin Ha), an up-and-coming boxer whose brother and trainer, Ji Moon (Raymond Lee), has gone missing. Ji has had a long history of drug abuse and running with the wrong crowd, but his disappearance could be tied to something even greater.

After taking on the case to find Ji, Sugar ends up paired with an unlikely new ally, Val (Sasha Calle), an ex-con he bonds with while staying in a luxurious hotel. He also finds a chance at romance after meeting the whip-smart Charlotte Fischer (Laura Donnelly), but feels conflicted about revealing his true identity to her. This season’s heavy, Ray Vega (Tony Dalton), is a mysterious man with ties to Djen and Danny’s past. Much like its first season, Sugar remains deeply rooted in its film noir influences. It doesn’t shy away from the genre’s tropes; it embraces them, albeit with a more otherworldly twist. However, this comes at a cost, as the series never fully commits to its boldest sci-fi elements from Season 1.

‘Sugar’ Season 2 Tries To Have Its Cake and Eat It Too

We don’t see many true noirs anymore, especially not ones with star-studded casts like Sugar. Showrunner Sam Catlin is aware of this fact, and as a result, Sugar Season 2 suffers from an identity crisis. When introducing a bold twist in a television series, it should be embraced fully, but this new season feels more restrained, almost embarrassed by its premise. The alien reveal isn’t entirely forgotten; there are still mentions throughout. We see Sugar using his extraterrestrial powers, whether it be to evade dangerous situations or simply to play with dogs at the park. His identity also serves thematic purposes, paralleling immigration issues, though it comes off as heavy-handed and lacking nuance. In contrast, the recent Prime Video series Spider-Noir wore both its comic book pulpiness and noir influences proudly. In comparison, Sugar seems to be shedding some of its own identity.

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‘The Nevers’ star Laura Donnelly has also joined the cast.

The filmmaking itself is engaging, with directors like Michael Morris and Armat Escalante taking charge this time around. It’s visually stunning, beautifully capturing Los Angeles nightlife through cinematic techniques that showcase retro movie theaters, nightclubs, glamorous hotels, and boxing rings. On a visual level, Sugar Season 2 is never dull. You can sense the grand and expensive scope of production, reflecting considerable passion.

The noir genre typically revolves around increasingly complex stories as more is revealed; in that spirit, Sugar Season 2 attempts to tie all its storylines together but doesn’t achieve it as neatly as intended. Everything culminates in a finale that concludes on a whimper rather than an impactful bang. Although the ending leaves room for further storylines that could address some of Season 2’s tonal issues, the direction Sugar is heading isn’t particularly compelling.

Colin Farrell and a Stellar New Cast Carry ‘Sugar’ Season 2

Farrell is always a welcome presence, and his performance in Sugar‘s first season helped make the series’ most jarring plot twist easier to accept. His character attempts to be more gruff and stoic while retaining an innocence and warmth that makes him an easy protagonist to root for. He’s back in fine form in Season 2, maintaining all of John Sugar’s charisma and gentle nature. Farrell’s performance proves that this series wouldn’t function at all without him. He comfortably portrays both a classic gumshoe and a lost alien striving to connect more deeply with humanity.

Most cast members from Sugar Season 1 do not return for Season 2, though this change is also a significant improvement over its predecessor. New faces bring more life and humanity into the series—Sasha Calle stands out prominently with her natural chemistry with Farrell evolving into one of the season’s strongest arcs. Tony Dalton delivers an exciting performance that adds menace and fear while embodying the danger lurking within Sugar’s latest case. Shea Whigham, Laura Donnelly, and Raymond Lee are also valuable new additions whose characters are memorable rather than mere plot devices.

Sugar‘s sophomore season undoubtedly faced challenges while balancing two different genres. There are moments of pure thrills and intrigue, but Season 2 often becomes bogged down by increasingly convoluted storytelling. It’s watchable but lacks the confidence that Sugar‘s bold premise demands.

Sugar Season 2 is now streaming on Apple TV.