Season 2 of The Terminal List has arrived on Prime Video, and with it comes a deeper, more dangerous chapter for journalist Katie Buranek. Played by Constance Wu, Katie finds herself pulled back into the orbit of James Reece (Chris Pratt) after teaming up with Raife Hastings (Tom Hopper) to trace a weapons shipment that ended up in terrorist hands. As the investigation unravels, Katie's life is put on the line in ways she never imagined.
In a recent interview, Wu opened up about returning to the role four years after the first season, the evolving bond between Katie and Raife, and the grueling preparation behind her most intense action sequence yet. She also shared her thoughts on whether Katie regrets ever crossing paths with Reece—and whether fans might see her again.
A Shared Touchstone: James Reece
According to Wu, the connection between Katie and Raife is rooted in their mutual history with Reece. "That is the touchstone for both of them," she explained. "They are each trusting a person that they don't know if they should trust, which says something about the integrity of the character of James Reece and how both characters feel about him."
This season, Katie is operating with more notoriety and access as a journalist, but she's also carrying the weight of everything she endured in Season 1. "All of that was because of the story she did on James Reece, so there's history there and there's a lot of care there, as well," Wu noted. Despite the danger that comes with being near Reece, Katie remains undeterred. "She's never one to back down from a challenge," Wu added.
Working with Tom Hopper vs. Chris Pratt
Wu found the dynamic with Hopper distinctly different from her scenes with Pratt. "Tom and Chris are very different kinds of personalities," she said. "I tend, in my work, to lean a little more comedic. This is obviously not a comedic show. Working with Tom, he brought a real gravity and a real darkness to it that is appropriate for the world of The Terminal List." That contrast helped Wu ground her performance in the show's gritty tone.
Training with a Navy SEAL for the Big Action Scene
One of the season's standout moments is a parking garage shootout in Episode 4, where Katie gets wounded and must fight to survive. Wu admitted she had to undergo serious training for the sequence. "I had a great gun trainer in Jared Shaw, a former Navy SEAL who is a consultant, producer, writer and actor on the show," she said. Shaw's mantra—"Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast"—helped Wu build confidence. "When you have a really great teacher who really knows their stuff and is patient and kind, it's really helpful," she added.
The scene culminates with Raife carrying Katie to safety, a moment that underscores the trust forming between them. Wu described the shoot as "very complicated," but the payoff is one of the season's most gripping sequences.
Katie's Determination and Possible Return
When asked what keeps Katie going when the odds are stacked against her, Wu pointed to an innate stubbornness. "It's just in some people's nature," she said. "I have always been very determined when I have a goal in mind, and setbacks don't drag me down. They actually fire me up." That resilience is what makes Katie such a compelling character—and why Wu hopes to play her again. "I'd love to," she hinted, though she didn't confirm any concrete plans.
As The Terminal List continues to dominate Prime Video, fans are already speculating about what's next. For Wu, the journey has been rewarding, and she's grateful for the chance to bring Katie to life in such a high-stakes world. Whether Katie returns for a third season remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: she's not going down without a fight.
For more on the show's brutal moments and behind-the-scenes stories, check out our recap of the season's toughest scenes. And if you're new to the series, here's our essential Season 2 primer before diving in.
