Season 2 of The Terminal List on Prime Video has fans on the edge of their seats, and now two of its standout stars are pulling back the curtain on the season's most harrowing moments. Gabriel Luna (Freddy Strain) and Dar Salim (Mo Farooq) sat down to discuss the intense torture sequence, the tragic loss of a beloved character, and what lies ahead in this action-packed thriller.
Based on Jack Carr's novel True Believer, the new season follows Navy SEAL James Reece (Chris Pratt) as he unravels a conspiracy tied to his late CIA agent father. Alongside allies Raife Hastings (Tom Hopper), Freddy Strain, and Mo Farooq, Reece must clear his name and dismantle a resurgent terrorist threat. The season has already made waves, dominating Prime Video's charts and drawing comparisons to hits like Reacher.
Mo Farooq: A Mirror to James Reece
Salim, who brings Mo Farooq to life, describes his character as a man who has lost everything—much like Reece himself. "He's lost everything, as well," Salim notes, explaining that Mo's drive to fight comes from a place of deep loss and loyalty. "Playing a character that's basically lost everything is very interesting because how do you deal with life? How do you continue from there?"
For Salim, the appeal lies in the moral gray areas his character inhabits. "We live in a world where most people think they know the truth, think they're the good ones," he says. "These guys all live somewhere in between. They see the world for what it is, and they still choose to fight for what's seemingly right and for the guy standing next to them." That blend of capability, vulnerability, and unwavering loyalty makes Mo one of the most compelling figures in the series.
Luna echoes that sentiment, praising Salim's portrayal. "I love Mo Farooq too, as a character. I'm serious. I love watching Dar," he says. "What I love about that character and James Reece is, you're right, when you do lose everything, what do you have to fight for? It's something that is built into these guys. They just revert back down to that baseline code of, 'I have to fight.'"
The Brutal Torture Scene: A Date You Won't Forget
One of the season's most talked-about sequences involves Landry (Luke Hemsworth) being subjected to prolonged mental and physical torture, with Mo eventually taking things even further. Salim describes it as "a date between Landry and Mo Farooq that you will never forget again after you watch it." He admits he never expected to play such a scene again, and credits the show's courage for including it.
"Playing it was intense, but it was also a very good experience," Salim recalls. "The most impressive thing about that scene was him and his performance. The way he gave himself up to it, standing there the way he looks, being so vulnerable and having done those things that he's done throughout the show. Somehow, he still finds some humanity in it towards the end."
Freddy's Heartbreaking Fate
While Landry's fate may have been earned, Freddy Strain's was a gut punch. Luna, who worked closely with former Navy SEAL Jared Shaw to build the character authentically, knew what was coming. "I knew what his ultimate fate would be," he reveals. Freddy is a devoted family man and an elite sniper, making his loss all the more tragic.
Luna, who also stars in The Last of Us, sees parallels between the two projects but notes the distinct challenges of The Terminal List. "The Terminal List is more grounded in reality," he explains. "It's about real-world consequences and the bonds between soldiers."
As for what's next, Salim is open to exploring Mo further. "Would I be game for a Mo Farooq spin-off? Absolutely," he says with a smile. "There's so much more to explore with him."
With Season 2 earning rave reviews and a third season already on the horizon, fans can expect more high-octane action and emotional depth from this gripping series.
