EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Ben Barnes & Joe Freeman Talk The Institute Season 2
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Phil Roberts 
We sat down with The Institute stars Ben Barnes and Joe Freeman to discuss the brand-new season of the hit series streaming on MGM+.
After a sensational first season, The Institute returns for Season 2, and expectations couldn’t be higher. Stephen King’s chilling world is expanding with an exciting new chapter, and we recently sat down with series stars Ben Barnes and Joe Freeman to discuss their characters’ journeys, the challenges of bringing them to life, and what audiences can expect from the latest installment.
From the story’s evolving dynamics to the deeper layers of Luke Ellis and Tim Jamieson, Ben and Joe take us behind the scenes of the gripping supernatural thriller. But how have their characters changed, and what can fans expect as their fight for survival takes a dramatic new turn? Let’s find out!
REVIEW
We had an absolute blast with this phenomenal new season. In my THREE-STAR review, I said: “The new season of The Institute is another stellar roller coaster ride that delivers more of what we loved from the first outing. While it lacks some of the depth and sharp intensity of the first season, Jack Bender and Benjamin Cavell have crafted a thrilling, albeit lackluster, second season that does just enough to keep us enthralled. Ben Barnes once again rises to the challenge, delivering another brilliant, nuanced performance as Tim Jamieson, but it’s Joe Freeman and Simone Miller who grab the show by the horns as Luke Ellis and Kalisha, respectively, and carry it to glory on their matured shoulders.
Joe Freeman especially deserves credit here. Throughout the first season, we watched him grow into Luke Ellis’ shoes and end with a quality that defied his young age and inexperience. However, in season 2, Freeman has fully matured and enjoys a screenplay that lets him flex his acting muscles and showcase the true depth of his talent. It is a performance of depth and quality that deserves recognition, and based on this showing, I cannot wait to see where his career turns next.
In the end, while the new season may lack some of the first season’s story depth and mysticism, it still keeps us entertained across eight thrilling episodes that take us from the wreckage of The Institute to new locations in the desert and snow-covered mountains.” Read my full review here.
The Institute Season 2 is streaming on MGM+ now.
A huge thank you to Ben Barnes and Joe Freeman for taking the time to chat with us and offer such fascinating insight into their characters and the creative journey behind The Institute. With the story expanding, the stakes rising, and the survivors finally fighting back, Season 2 looks set to deliver another gripping chapter in Stephen King’s twisted world. If you’ve yet to return to the halls of The Institute, there’s never been a better time to check in. Just be careful what you uncover!
What did you think of Ben and Luke’s performances in The Institute? Let us know in the comments below, and don’t forget to follow Future of the Force for the latest entertainment news, exclusive interviews, reviews, and much more.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
