Action TV series Taken won't be the same when it returns for season 2. Following a change in creative direction, only two main cast members, Clive Standen and Jennifer Beal, are remaining with the show. Airing on NBC, Taken is based off the popular trilogy of action movies of the same name. Starring Liam Neeson, the Taken films focused on Neeson's character, Bryan Mills, a retired CIA operative who finds himself in a variety of violent situations trying to protect his family.
The series explores Mills' past by putting a younger version of the character (Vikings' Clive Standen) on a team of special intelligence operatives led by Jennifer Beals' Christina Hart. In the time period depicted in the show, Mills has just left the Green Berets. Upon returning home, his sister is killed by drug lord Carlos Mejia, who becomes the season's villain. Mills tries to work against various terrorist threats while fighting his own desire for revenge against Mejia.
The first season ran for 10 episodes and concluded in May. The series was renewed for a second season with a 16 episode order. Two weeks ago, it was announced that showrunner Alex Cary was being replaced by Person of Interest executive producer Greg Plageman. Shortly after that, NBC removed Taken from the fall schedule and added it to the midseason lineup. The change is expected to bring a stronger procedural element to the show, making the series more like Blindspot and The Blacklist.
The changes also mean that six regulars have left the show: Gaius Charles (John), Brookyln Sudano (Asha), Monique Gabriela Curnen (Vlasik), Michael Irby (Scott), Jose Cantillo (Dave), and James Landry Hébert (Rem). Leaving Standed and Beals as the only actors who will be back for season 2.
In the coming months, we'll learn more about Taken's second season as the show rebuilds its cast with new actors. Without the other characters, it's not clear if Taken will retain last season's setting, which had Mills and Hart working at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI.) With the show getting a new cast, Mills and Hart could be moved to a new location as well, which would easily explain the other characters' absences.
Fans may also be wondering how losing most of its cast will affect the first season's cliffhanger. If nothing else, that will make for another reason to tune in.
Taken season 2 is a midseason premiere on NBC.