Maxton Hall Season 2 has concluded, leaving fans grappling with the aftermath of the finale. Ruby (Harriet Herbig-Matten) faces expulsion as rumors about her and Professor Sutton (Eidin Jalali) circulate on campus, dimming her hopes for a future at Oxford. With only James (Damian Hardung) to support her, their relationship is threatened by Mortimer’s (Fedja van Huêt) persistent threats. The season finale confirmed that Mortimer will stop at nothing to keep them apart, yet amidst the despair, a flicker of hope remains.
Since Season 1, viewers of the Prime Video series have speculated about Percy (Hyun Wanner) being the biological father of James and Lydia (Sonja Weißer). In the finale, Percy is seen bringing flowers to Cordelia’s (Clelia Sarto) grave. While this act may seem normal given his long service to the family, it suggests a deeper romantic connection. As James and Lydia discover they have not inherited any assets from their mother, Percy’s link to Cordelia could be their potential salvation.
‘Maxton Hall’ Season 2 Hints at Percy and Cordelia’s Romantic Connection
It is evident that Percy cares deeply for both Lydia and James, as shown in Season 1 where he often engages in meaningful conversations with James during their car rides. He has been a reliable confidant for James, especially regarding his relationship with Ruby, often facilitating their secret meetings in Season 1. Although Percy speaks little, he has consistently demonstrated his trustworthiness and affection towards Cordelia’s children, hinting at a deeper connection. At the start of Season 2, Percy reveals to Ruby that he is a third-generation worker at the Beaufort household, having spent much of his youth at the estate. His visit to Cordelia’s grave raises questions about whether his feelings for her were more than platonic, particularly as he kisses his necklace while gazing at her gravestone.
While Mona Kasten‘s book trilogy does not confirm Percy as James and Lydia’s biological father, the series may diverge from its source material. It has already done so this season by introducing James’ car accident (an event absent from the book) as a pivotal moment in his therapy journey. The series also portrays Mortimer as more ruthless, directly responsible for revoking Ruby’s scholarship to Oxford and dismantling her parents’ bakery. If the Prime Video adaptation is raising stakes by depicting Mortimer as more cruel than in the books, it is plausible that it will delve deeper into Percy and Cordelia’s history and possibly explore the fan theory of him being the twins’ true father instead of Mortimer.
Season 2 clearly indicates that Mortimer will do anything to keep the family business thriving. Episode 5 shows him experiencing an emotional breakdown over his late wife’s death and expressing a desire to reconcile with his children, but this sentiment quickly dissipates when he persuades Alice Campbell (Proschat Madani) to withdraw Ruby’s scholarship. Mortimer’s actions reveal that he prefers conflict with James and Lydia rather than collaborating with them to advance the Beaufort empire. Despite Lydia demonstrating several times that she has innovative ideas for Young Beaufort, Mortimer has consistently shut down her opportunities to participate in meetings or be involved with the family business.
Mortimer’s Behavior in Season 2 Indicates That He Only Cares About the Beaufort Empire
In the finale, Mortimer and the twins attend a meeting regarding Cordelia’s will, revealing that she has bequeathed all her assets to her husband. This revelation incites outrage, particularly from Cordelia’s sister who wishes to contest it, but Mortimer’s influence grows stronger. With full control over the business and determined to sabotage Ruby and James’ happiness, it will be challenging for them to sustain their relationship amidst Mortimer’s manipulative schemes. There is also a slim chance that Mortimer will permit Lydia to continue her pregnancy once he learns about it. The twins’ only hope rests with Percy, whose necklace may hold the key to uncovering whether Mortimer tampered with Cordelia’s will.
If Percy and Cordelia shared a close bond while she was alive, it would not be surprising if she entrusted him with details regarding her will. As Season 3 — which has already completed filming — continues to depict Ruby and James facing challenges to remain together, Percy’s key could lead them to uncovering the truth and liberating themselves from Mortimer once and for all. If Cordelia’s will was indeed altered, James and Lydia would gain access to their mother’s assets, potentially transforming Mortimer from sole owner of Beaufort into someone who loses everything.
One thing is certain: Ruby and James cannot move forward with their lives while Mortimer retains his power and influence. The same holds true for Lydia, whose prospects of motherhood are severely diminished if Mortimer discovers the truth. Mortimer’s downfall would finally allow the twins to achieve their happy endings, after enduring immense sorrow and emotional manipulation from their father. Should the series decide to make Percy their biological father, it would add dramatic weight to Mortimer’s demise, giving Percy a chance to become the loving guardian that James and Lydia desperately need. After all they have suffered from losing their mother and navigating tumultuous love lives, having Percy as their protector would be an ultimate silver lining.
