The Tourist Season 2: Danielle Macdonald Delves into Dark and Quirky Depths as Helen in BBC One Series

The first series of BBC One’s , “The Tourist,” quickly hooked audiences with its thrilling storylines and offbeat characters. In the upcoming second season, fans can expect even more excitement and surprises as one of the show’s stars, Danielle Macdonald, takes on new challenges and explores the depths of her character, Helen.

Helen, portrayed by the talented Danielle Macdonald, has left Australia behind and embarked on a journey to Ireland with her boyfriend in search of answers about his identity. However, instead of finding the answers they seek, Helen and her boyfriend find themselves entangled in a dangerous web of consequences from his past actions. Macdonald shares her insights and experiences on the show’s appeal and what viewers can anticipate from the highly anticipated second season.

“I think The Tourist is unique and it is in its own kind of genre,” Macdonald explains. “It’s got some darkness in there but it’s also quite funny at times. It also has lots of quirky characters.” The show’s distinct blend of darkness and humor, along with its captivating characters, is what sets it apart and resonates with audiences. Macdonald adds, “The locations really become a character in the series, and you’ll find Ireland is a big part of series two which will draw people in.”

When asked about her expectations for the scripts in the second season, Macdonald expresses her trust and confidence in the show’s talented writers. “I just love the writers and I had an amazing time with them. I think that they have such an interesting way of writing; it’s so quirky and grabs you in. So, when they said they had an idea for season two I said yes before I even knew what it was.” Her excitement to work with the writers and the whole cast again was undeniable.

As the second season unfolds, Helen faces new challenges and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. Macdonald explains, “Helen has come a long way. She started out as this character that has a very strong moral compass but was in a very toxic and abusive relationship. She then went through a lot of crazy stuff and found her own voice and confidence.” Season two delves even deeper into Helen’s personal growth, as she becomes more confident and vocal while grappling with the consequences of her past.

One particular scene stands out in Macdonald’s memory, highlighting the camaraderie between her and co-star Jamie Dornan. “There was a scene I was filming with Jamie, and we’d had a long day. We had some emotional scenes, and we were shooting out of order. So, at the very last scene of the day, we were in a car and had to sit in there and talk. I had a monologue about sausages, and we both just lost it. We just could not stop laughing for about seven minutes straight, to a point of hysterics. We could not keep it together. Luckily, we got through it in the end.”

When asked about the unique aspects of “The Tourist” that sets it apart from her previous projects, Macdonald emphasizes the close-knit bond forged between the cast and crew during filming. “Everyone was in a tiny little town at the same pub every night, so it was one of those experiences where everyone was family instantly. It was beautiful and it was something we all needed after being locked up for a year.”

As the series continues to gain international acclaim, Macdonald believes that its themes of family, relationships, and self-discovery will resonate with audiences worldwide. “It’s about two families who are at war with each other. I think that is something that can be related to in almost any culture and will have a lot of appeal. The series is also about relationships and figuring out who you are. These are themes that everyone encounters no matter who you are or where you’re from.”

Macdonald concludes by praising the show’s writers, Jack and Harry Williams, for their unique and compelling storytelling. “They’ve got a lot of little ‘Jack and Harry-isms’ in the scripts too which are fun. I think they write because they love the stories, and they don’t force it. They have so much fun in their writing that we have fun on set acting it out.”

“The Tourist” looks set to bring audiences another unforgettable season filled with quirkiness and action. Be sure to tune in to BBC One on New Year’s Day to catch all the action.

Image Credit: Danielle Macdonald as Helen (Image: BBC/Two Brothers/Steffan Hill)