Everything changed in the explosive season 1 finale. The Spree attacked a stadium during a soccer game to warn the world of witches of impending threat, by hypnotizing the entire crowd to chant “Our ancient enemy has returned,” temporarily ceasing hostilities to get the message out. The Fort Salem witches then came face to face with the witch-hating Camarilla, in an all-out battle that cost the lives of several witches. Tally became a “Biddy” in order to save General Alder, while Raelle and Abigail were spared from an explosion of their own making—a power neither of them understand. “With Abigail and Raelle, it really puts a pressure on their relationship,” says Taylor Hickson. “The more information that they receive about what it is and what it means, I think, further and further strains their dynamic. With Tally, they bond in carrying that really heavy weight and responsibility.” “I was really nervous. She’s just such a force on-screen,” Sutton says. ”I understand that’s not exactly who the characters are, but I do see parallels in Tally’s past adoration for Alder and how that relationship changed in season 1 from total pedestal idolization to, ‘Oh, shit. You’re human just like everyone else,’ and then ultimately giving her life for her and for the survival of the unit.” For Abigail, the trauma of the Bellweather wedding still lingers For Abigail, the fight against the Camarilla is personal. “I feel like all the grief and everything that she’s feeling, whether it’s jealousy or pettiness, it ignites this fire in her to go find these Camarilla people and fight them and end them.” Going into the second season, Raelle’s feelings about the military have changed, and she’s a far cry from the reluctant recruit we initially met. The Spree and the military have a long simmering grudge that creator Eliot Laurence promises to get into this season. “It’s so juicy and personal and messy, I can’t wait.” The fight isn’t between the witch factions, it’s between all witches and the Camarilla. Motherland: Fort Salem premieres Tuesday, June 22 at 10 p.m. ET on Freeform.
