Ashley Zukerman & Jessica Henwick Discuss Their Characters’ Role in ‘Silo’s’ Origin Story
Ashley Zukerman and Jessica Henwick’s characters are poised to play a significant role in revealing the origins of the silo world in Apple TV+’s ‘Silo‘, especially as the series delves deeper into its past timeline in season 3, according to insights from cast interviews and official production details.
The season 2 finale of ‘Silo’ marked a pivotal shift in storytelling. It briefly shifted focus from Juliette’s journey within Silo 18 to a time hundreds of years in the past. During this moment, viewers were introduced to Daniel, a congressman, and Helen, an investigative journalist, as they conversed in a Washington D.C. bar about global tensions and a potential military response to a bombing linked to Iran. This scene subtly set the stage for a much larger narrative about the world’s descent into chaos before the silos.
Season 3 expands on this concept significantly. The narrative now alternates between two timelines. One follows Juliette in the present-day silo world, while the other centers on Daniel and Helen in the “Before Times.” This secondary timeline is expected to shed light on the creation of the silo system and the reasons humanity ended up living underground. Their storyline is intricately tied to global conflict and political decisions that ultimately lead to a larger conspiracy.
According to the actors, the emotional core of this historical storyline stems from Daniel and Helen’s relationship. What begins as a professional bond focused on uncovering the truth gradually evolves into something more intimate. Ashley Zukerman emphasized the importance of accurately portraying this relationship from the outset, given its centrality to the origin story.
He shared in an interview, “I definitely felt the weight of those stakes, knowing how important this relationship would be moving forward.” He also noted that the chemistry between him and Jessica Henwick developed naturally during filming, stating it was present “from take one.” Henwick echoed this sentiment, explaining that their performances did not require forced effort to establish their connection on screen.
Jessica Henwick also described her approach to the role as straightforward and grounded. In a separate interview, she remarked, “I felt it was the perfect balance, where the writing was so good, and there was so much on the page.” She added that the creative team encouraged actors to infuse their instincts into the roles, allowing her to feel a close connection to her character from the beginning.
Behind the scenes, season 3 also draws inspiration from Hugh Howey’s novel ‘Shift’, which examines the creation of the silos. Zukerman’s character is based on a version of Donald from the books, another politician involved in decisions that contributed to society’s collapse. Helen’s character is loosely inspired by Donald’s wife, but the series is evolving her into a more independent and expanded role.
The show also continues to highlight how real-world issues shape its narrative. The political tensions depicted in the “Before Times” resonate with themes such as global conflict, technology, and environmental collapse. Zukerman pointed out that these themes feel relevant to current issues, referencing concerns like AI and climate change as part of the show’s broader message about societal damage.
As the narrative unfolds, even minor details connect both timelines. One notable example is a duck Pez dispenser seen in Silo 18, now revealed to be linked to Daniel and Helen’s initial meeting. These connections suggest that season 3 will gradually intertwine personal relationships with the larger mystery surrounding the silos.
With its dual timeline and deeper exploration of the past, ‘Silo’ season 3 is set to reveal not only how the silos operate but also the reasons behind their construction.
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