In the high-octane world of Prime Video's The Terminal List, Season 2 throws Navy SEAL James Reece (Chris Pratt) into a conspiracy that forces him to rely on old allies like sniper Freddy Strain (Gabriel Luna) and former teammate Mo Farooq (Dar Salim). But the real wild card is Jules Landry, played by Luke Hemsworth, who fully embraces his corrupt side, becoming a formidable adversary for Reece. When Reece finally captures Landry, Mo has his own score to settle, leading to one of the most brutal and unforgettable sequences in the series.
In a recent interview, Hemsworth opened up about the grueling experience of filming Episode 6, where Landry is tortured for most of the runtime. He also shared how the prequel series The Terminal List: Dark Wolf helped him build a rich backstory for Landry, making him more than just a one-dimensional villain. "It's a gift, as an actor, to have some input into that," Hemsworth said, praising the writers for fleshing out the character.
Building a Backstory Through Dark Wolf
Landry was only a minor figure in Jack Carr's novel True Believer, appearing in just a chapter. But the creative team, including Jared Shaw and Dave DiGilio, expanded his role, giving Hemsworth the chance to explore the character's motivations and descent into chaos. "I always knew that we were coming to that finale right from the beginning," Hemsworth explained. "So I was off the leash in terms of being able to fill in a lot of those blanks." This allowed him to show a clear evolution of Landry unraveling, becoming more unhinged and physically imposing as the season progresses.
A Sociopath Who Doesn't Care
Hemsworth describes Landry as a sociopath who thrives on flipping expectations. Even during torture, Landry plays mind games with Reece, refusing to break until the very end. "He really does not care until the very last moment, when it crashes down on him," Hemsworth said. "The pleasure that he gets in all of these interactions is being able to flip people's expectations." This makes Landry a fascinating and unpredictable antagonist, one who is hard to look away from.
The Brutal Face-Off with Mo
Hemsworth and Dar Salim, who plays Mo, developed a close friendship off-screen, which made their on-screen confrontation even more intense. Salim jokingly called it "a date between Landry and Mo Farooq that you'll never forget." Hemsworth recalled the challenges of shooting the scene, including being handcuffed and vulnerable. "I was like, 'It's not real, guys. I'm actually not naked,' but everyone was very quiet and very respectful," he said, highlighting the professionalism on set.
The episode is a testament to the show's commitment to authenticity, a goal that originated with Chris Pratt and his ex-Navy SEAL friend Jared Shaw. "Their guiding star to be authentic for those people," Hemsworth noted, explaining why the series resonates so deeply with audiences. For fans of the show, this season's exploration of Landry's fate is a must-watch, especially with the season now streaming on Prime Video.
As for what's next, Hemsworth is tight-lipped, but he's proud of the work. "I think we show a descent into chaos that is exciting," he said. "It's a bit like a bus crash that's hard to look away from." With such a powerful performance, fans are eager to see if Landry will return in future installments. For now, the brutal episode stands as a highlight of the season, showcasing Hemsworth's range and the show's unflinching storytelling.
