Shailene Woodley Brings Irrepressible Survival Instinct to 'Paradise' Role

Actress discusses her character's journey in Season 2 of the post-apocalyptic Hulu drama

Mar. 2, 2026 at 1:55pm

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Shailene Woodley joins the cast of the post-apocalyptic Hulu series "Paradise" for Season 2, playing a former med school student-turned-Graceland tour guide named Annie. Woodley discusses how her character navigates the challenges of survival in the wake of a natural disaster, including falling for a mysterious survivor named Link, played by Thomas Doherty. The actress also praises her co-star Sterling K. Brown for his intense yet playful approach to his role.

Why it matters

Woodley's addition to the cast of "Paradise" brings a new perspective to the show's exploration of life after a global catastrophe. Her character Annie represents the human will to survive against all odds, even as she grapples with uncertainty about the future and the loss of her previous life.

The details

In Season 2, Woodley's character Annie is initially wary when a group of survivors led by Link (Thomas Doherty) take refuge at Graceland, the former home of Elvis Presley. But the two eventually fall in love, only for Link and his crew to move on. Annie, now pregnant with Link's child, decides to venture out on her own, leading to a fateful encounter with the show's lead character Xavier (Sterling K. Brown). Woodley praised Brown's ability to seamlessly transition between his intense on-screen persona and his playful off-screen demeanor.

  • In Season 2, Woodley makes her debut as Annie.
  • The third episode of Season 2 ends with Annie holding Xavier at gunpoint.

The players

Shailene Woodley

A 34-year-old actress known for her roles in "Divergent" and "Big Little Lies" who joins the cast of "Paradise" for Season 2, playing a former med school student-turned-Graceland tour guide named Annie.

Thomas Doherty

A 30-year-old actor who plays the role of Link, a mysterious survivor who takes refuge at Graceland with his group.

Sterling K. Brown

An acclaimed actor who plays the lead role of Xavier in "Paradise", a character who leaves his high-tech underground bunker to search for his wife.

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What they’re saying

“The way that he marries these big themes and stories, specifically with Paradise, the post-apocalyptic world, with so much humanity and human heart and relatability is really inspiring and creatively intoxicating. He makes you laugh, he makes you cry, he makes you angry, he makes you feel happy.”

— Shailene Woodley, Actress

“The thing about Sterling is that he plays this really intense character and, then, the minute that the camera stops rolling, he's blasting music, he's dancing, he's joking around with people. He's just sort of the life of the party and he brings a really full, big, abundant energy to set.”

— Shailene Woodley, Actress

What’s next

Fans will have to tune in to see how Annie's encounter with Xavier unfolds and whether she is able to find the bunker that Link told her about.

The takeaway

Woodley's portrayal of Annie in "Paradise" highlights the human capacity for resilience and survival in the face of overwhelming challenges, offering a compelling character study within the show's post-apocalyptic setting.