Overview
Quantico is an American drama television series created by Joshua Safran that aired on ABC. Season 2 is the series’ sophomore installment, consisting of 22 episodes. The season premiered on March 2 2017 and concluded on May 14 2018. It continues to follow a group of young FBI recruits—most notably Alex Parrish (Priyanka Chopra Jonas)—as they navigate complex conspiracies and personal conflicts.
Premise
Season 2 expands the narrative beyond the original training academy setting. After the events of the first season’s “Cat Clover” terrorist attack, the storyline splits between two primary threads:
- The “United States” plotline, in which Alex, Ryan Valentine (Jake McLaughlin), and fellow agents operate undercover in Washington, D.C., attempting to thwart an ongoing domestic terror threat.
- The “Mexico” plotline, which follows a separate group of recruits who have been relocated to a covert training program in Mexico, where they confront a different set of conspiracies involving a secretive organization known as “The Loom.”
Both arcs converge toward the season finale, revealing the identity of a central antagonist and setting up plot points for subsequent seasons.
Episodes
The season is divided into two production blocks:
| Block | Episodes | Original Air Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Episodes 1–10 | March 2 2017 – May 4 2017 |
| 2 | Episodes 11–22 | July 12 2017 – May 14 2018 |
Each episode runs approximately 42 minutes. Notable episodes include the season premiere (“Diagnosis”), the mid‑season finale (“Mission”), and the series‑wide finale (“Beyond the Horizon”).
Main Cast
| Actor | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Priyanka Chopra Jonas | Alex Parrish | Former CIA trainee; central protagonist |
| Jake McLaughlin | Ryan Valentine | Former Army Ranger; FBI trainee and key ally |
| Yasmine Al Massri | Nimah Al Fayeed | Recruit who becomes a pivotal figure in the Mexico storyline |
| Johanna Braddy | Shelby Wagner | FBI trainee; later an operative in the Loom |
| Blair Underwood | Owen Hall | CIA operative with connections to the Loom |
| Russell Britt | Elias Davis | Recruit and technological specialist |
| Aunjanue Ellis | Miranda Hale | FBI Director (season 1) – appears in flashbacks |
| Anabelle Creed Moffat | Shelby Norris | Season‑long antagonist revealed in the finale |
Recurring and guest stars include Michael Weatherly (as CIA operative Dylan Blake), Gregg Hunt, and others who contribute to the evolving conspiracy narrative.
Production
- Development: ABC commissioned the second season in January 2016, anticipating a continuation of the series’ blend of procedural drama and serialized thriller elements.
- Writing: Joshua Safran served as showrunner throughout the season, with a writing team that included series regulars and new contributors to expand the series’ mythology.
- Filming Locations: Principal photography occurred primarily in New York City, with supplemental location work in Puerto Rico (standing in for Mexico) and Vancouver, Canada, for certain exterior sequences.
- Music: The series’ score was composed by James Newton Howard, with the opening theme performed by Tony Lashley.
Reception
- Critical response: Season 2 received mixed-to-positive reviews. Aggregator sites reported an average rating of approximately 66 % on Rotten Tomatoes, citing improved pacing and expanded character arcs while noting occasional tonal inconsistencies.
- Viewership: The season’s premiere attracted roughly 9.0 million live viewers in the United States. Subsequent episodes experienced a gradual decline, stabilizing around 5–6 million viewers per episode during the latter half of the season.
- Awards: The series received a nomination for Best Television Series – Drama at the 2018 Asian Television Awards, recognizing Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s continued lead performance.
Home media
- The complete second season was released on DVD and Blu‑ray in Region 1 on May 15 2018, featuring all 22 episodes, behind‑the‑scenes featurettes, cast interviews, and deleted scenes.
- Digital distribution platforms (Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Google Play) made the season available for purchase and streaming shortly after the television run concluded.
Legacy
Season 2 of Quantico is noted for its structural shift from a single‑location narrative to a dual‑track format, attempting to broaden the series’ thematic scope and deepen its political thriller aspects. The season’s developments set the stage for the narrative directions pursued in subsequent seasons.
