Steve Zahn’s Solo Takes ‘Silo’ Season 2 To New Heights

Season 2 of Apple TV+‘s hit sci-fi drama Silo features more of the same stellar acting, sharp writing, and intriguing worldbuilding that made Season 1 so compelling — but that’s not to say the series hasn’t changed. On top of fresh twists, revelations, and challenges, Silo welcomes an exciting new character who’s destined to shake up the story: Solo.

The premiere finds a suited Juliette (Rebecca Ferguson) navigating the outside world after the crushing realization that her helmet display was a lie. She explores an abandoned silo — surrounded by aged remains of its inhabitants who broke free in rebellion — and plans her next steps, though her future looks bleak. In the physically demanding, largely dialogue-free 45 minute episode, it’s Juliette who’s flying solo, but right before the end credits roll, she stumbles on an unlikely companion. When Audrey Hepburn’s “Moon River” unexpectedly cuts through the silence, Juliette follows the music to a locked vault that holds Solo, a lone silo survivor who’s both terrified and relieved by the sight of another living human.

Played by a perfectly cast Steve Zahn (War for the Planet of the Apes, Joy Ride, White Lotus), Solo first reveals himself through a narrow slot in the vault’s door. His wide, different-colored eyes make a striking first impression, then his paranoid, but friendly voice says: “Good! You heard the music. I love that song. So one thing: You try to open the door… and I’m gonna kill you.”

While Solo is only in Season 2’s premiere for several seconds, his presence drastically shifts Silo’s tone and reignites the dying flame within Juliette. Rather than continue the story in Episode 2, Silo switches focus to the people Juliette left behind, but Episode 3, aptly titled “Solo,” brings us back to the curious new character and unveils more of his backstory.

Solo tells Juliette that as the head of IT’s shadow, he was sent to the vault and told never to open it. The rest of his silo’s residents made their way outside, and judging by the state of the heavily decomposed bodies, it seems like Solo’s been in isolation for a significant stretch of time.

As a viewer who hasn’t read Hugh Howey’s book series on which Silo is based, I didn’t have a specific picture of Solo in mind ahead of Season 2. (Even if I had read his description, I don’t have a visual imagination, so it wouldn’t have helped much!) But after watching Zahn’s performance in these first two episodes, I’m both captivated by the eccentric character and convinced he was the right man for the job.

Throughout Episode 3, Solo’s lack of socialization becomes increasingly apparent with each interaction. He engages with Juliette in ways that showcase distrust, curiosity, excitement, and an air of innocence. And while it’s unclear at the moment how young Solo was when he entered the vault, Zahn plays him with an endearing, almost childlike personality. Even when he’s threatening to kill Juliette, he feels approachable, like he yearns for a different set of circumstances that would allow him to let his guard down and be his true self. His awkward comedic timing brings refreshing humor and levity to the dark series (“I hope they don’t get wet!). But even in lighter scenes, Zahn’s performance doesn’t let viewers lose sight of Solo’s secrets, pain, and undoubtedly complex past.

For the majority of Episode 3, Zahn acts behind a thick vault door, using only his eyes, voice, and facial expressions to convey emotion and unveil parts of his character. It’s a feat not all actors would be able to achieve, and he not only rises to the challenge, but builds on the performance outside the vault as the season progresses.

Though it takes Solo a while to build the trust required for him to leave his comfort zone, Zahn radiates a certain warmth from behind the closed door and develops instant, seemingly effortless chemistry with Ferguson long before then. He comforts Juliette when she fears her actions could lead to the death of her silo’s residents and helps her figure out a solution to her suit dilemma. In truths that will likely prove helpful and harmful to Juliette moving forward, Solo is emotionally intelligent and possesses key knowledge about the world and its 50 silos, but he’s also damaged and carries an air of unpredictability.

In the moments before Solo takes the ultimate risk and opens the vault to help Juliette, Zahn palpably portrays his fear, desperation, and gnawing internal conflict. There’s no doubt that actor has what it takes to tackle Solo’s more serious, dramatic scenes. And before Episode 3 concludes, Silo reminds viewers that his comedic chops are key to Solo’s success as well. (His “DO I LOOK BAD?!” delivery made me laugh out loud.)

While we’ll have to wait to see what Silo has in store for Solo and Juliette, thanks to Zahn’s impressive range (and bushy beard), we’re excited to learn more about Season 2’s thrilling new character.

New episodes of Silo premiere Fridays on Apple TV+.