Warning: SPOILERS for Warrior Nun Season 2Shotgun Mary (Toya Turner) was missing from Warrior Nun season 2, but she has some excellent potential storylines if Mary returns in season 3. Mary was originally part of Warrior Nun season 2's cast but Toya Turner left the show for personal reasons. Warrior Nun season 2 had to be rewritten to compensate for Mary's absence instead of recasting the iconic role, but given the events of season 2, Shotgun Mary could once again be integral to the series in Warrior Nun season 3.
It's crucial that Shotgun Mary is only believed dead in Warrior Nun season 2 as opposed to being formally killed off. Sister Lilith (Lorena Andrea) searches for Mary at the start of Warrior Nun season 2, and the treacherous Father Vincent (Tristán Ulloa) convinces Lilith that Mary is dead. Lilith reports that Mary is "lost" to the Order of the Cruciform Sword, but since Warrior Nun never showed her body, there's reason to believe that reports of Shotgun Mary's death have been greatly exaggerated. Mary was crucial to the stories of Ava (Alba Baptista), Lilith, and Father Vincent in Warrior Nun season 1, and she could be again if she returns in season 3. In particular, Mary could help Lilith cope with her transformation into a powerful winged creature at the end of Warrior Nun season 2.
Warrior Nun Season 2 Still Worked Without Shotgun Mary
It's unclear what role Shotgun Mary would have played in Warrior Nun season 2, but the show reconfigured itself beautifully in spite of losing Toya Turner for the season. Leaner and meaner at only 8 episodes as opposed to season 1's 10, Warrior Nun season 2 smartly converged all of its characters and divergent storylines into the overarching need for Ava to stop Adriel from taking over the world. Warrior Nun season 2 deftly balanced each character's evolution and personal stories with superior action sequences underscored by Ava's rise to truly become the Warrior Nun and to sacrifice herself for the world.
Meanwhile, Ava's romantic relationship with Sister Beatrice (Kristina Tonteri-Young) bookended and underscored Warrior Nun season 2, culminating in their sharing a kiss and telling each other "I love you" before fate tore them apart. The absence of Mary allowed for ample time for Lilith to turn to Jillian Salvius (Thekla Reuten) and Adriel to try to understand what she was becoming. It was also amazing to see Sister Camila (Olivia Delcán) come into her own, and for Mother Superion (Sylvia De Fanti) to receive more focus and even a flashback to when she was the Warrior Nun. Season 2 laudably turned the negative of losing Shotgun Mary into a positive.
Shotgun Mary Could Be The Key To Warrior Nun Season 3
Shotgun Mary's comeback could kick off Warrior Nun season 3 with a big, emotional bang. Given where the main characters were left at the end of Warrior Nun season 2, Mary could become the glue that binds them all together once again, as she was in season 1. If Mary is indeed in Adriel's realm, she could help Ava both navigate the parallel dimension and, eventually, get out of there and come back to Earth. Mary and Lilith also had some of the most riveting scenes in Warrior Nun season 1, and who better than her shotgun-toting rival to help her understand who she now is and bring the prodigal Lilith back to the OCS?
In Warrior Nun season 1, Mary was the conscience of the OCS in many ways, and she can be the final arbiter of whether Father Vincent is deserving of her Sister Warriors' forgiveness. Mary may also be able to give Beatrice the perspective she needs to find her faith and return to the OCS once again. And, when the Great War begins, Mary's shotguns will be needed for the fight. While it was a shame that Shotgun Mary missed out on season 2, it's now far more meaningful and impactful if Mary returns for Warrior Nun season 3.
Warrior Nun Season 2 is streaming on Netflix.