Just beyond the midway point of season two, Legend of the Seeker star Bridget Regan (Kahlan) ‘confesses’ that adding Tabrett Bethell (Cara) to the cast has been a quantum leap.  “Tab was the missing piece of the puzzle,” she tells E!  “That’s what made this season take off.  She just came in and challenged all of us and our characters challenged her.”  There’s no hint of rivalry between the two beauties.  “It was such a boy’s club last year,” she muses.  “Just having a woman on the set; we’re in it together, a bit of a team, which is great.”  Bridget is also keen on Kahlan and Richard’s (Craig Horner) burgeoning affection:  “I fight for that so much, and not just because Craig’s dreamy.”  This weekend’s new episode combines elements of drama and humor the series is noted for, with Cara nervously masquerading as a polished princess to spare the Mother Confessor from execution—and Zedd (Bruce Spence) in drag as an ugly lady-in-waiting.  Laughs aplenty!  Watch for a rare TV guest appearance by former Hardy Boys teen idol Parker Stevenson. Legend of the Seeker recently teamed with pop-rockers Newmatic for a wondrous music video (below) which highlights the breathtaking scenery of New Zealand and the unforgettable moments from this season. 

Legend of the Seeker returns this weekend with the first of four consecutive all-new episodes and promises to be one of the best in series history.  It’ll evoke a Mord’Sith reunion of sorts, with Richard’s arch-nemesis Denna (Jessica Marais) returning in a showdown vs. Cara (Tabrett Bethell)—this season’s amazing cast addition.  Once sent to kill Richard, Cara (pictured) later became his accomplice in vanquishing Darken Rahl.  The stunning reveal that Richard is heir to Rahl’s throne compelled her to join the Seeker’s wary group as a protector…though the unspoken attraction between the two is palpable.  Enter Denna, who last year tortured Richard and killed his mother.  She plays a major role in The Sword of Truth novels, and her evil scheme Saturday will have series-changing consequences, foreshadowed in the teaser promo when Cara declares “Richard is dead.”  Denna is seen not only in her familiar red leather, but also fully clad in tight white—another mystery.  Her villainy continues the following week when she captures Zedd, who is powerless to use wizardry against a Mord’Sith.  Before this month is over, Cara’s feelings for the (perhaps dead or missing) Seeker will intensify, so the jealous tension Kahlan has restrained will likely spill out.  Cara, after all, did kill Kahlan’s sister, a Confessor; and that murder has brought electricity to every scene the two share.  If you’re not yet a fan of this epic fantasy, there’s no better time than Saturday to join the legions.

Legend of the Seeker has amassed such a loyal following, it’s almost as if fans have been happily zapped by the ‘Mother Confessor.’  The series became so popular that it was awarded a full second season after only a handful of episodes—and the charming lead actors receive rock star-type receptions.  Craig Horner (Richard Cypher-Rahl) and Bridget Regan (Kahlan Amnell) spoke with WBNX during a recent publicity tour.  Here are some excerpts from the interview:

There are new evil forces terrorizing the Midlands…

CH:  “Yes, at the end of the first season we defeated Darken Rahl, which was our main goal—but in doing that, we’ve now embraced Wizard’s Second Rule, which is ‘the greatest harm can come from the best intentions.’  So even though we’ve rid the world of Darken Rahl, so to speak, we’ve torn the veil to the Underworld…”

BR:  “There are these creatures we’ve never seen and people that we’ve killed who are coming back to get us.  So now we’re out to defeat The Keeper (of the Underworld), who is Baddie Number One.”  

CH:  “And we’re also happy about (Rahl’s life-after-death), because we love Craig Parker.  He’s got a lot of good energy, he’s great.”

On translating heroes from best-selling novels to television…

CH:  “We had about six weeks in New Zealand before we ever started shooting the series, and we didn’t have a script, so all Bridget and I could really do was read the book, Wizard’s First Rule.  That’s the best kind of research you can do, you really get a feeling for the characters.  There’s a lot of ‘Kahlan’ in Bridget and a lot of ‘Richard’ in Craig, and I think that’s why we got the roles.”

BR:  “I like that the fans are really passionate about these characters.  It almost ‘heightens’ the whole thing for us.  We really want to do the characters justice and want The Sword of Truth fans to picture us as their Kahlan and Richard.” 

Growth of the characters in Season Two…

BR:  “I’ve never played a character this long, and when I did another part between seasons it was totally jarring.  I’d been playing Kahlan for nine months, and then to go do something else was like turning old rusty wheels.  But I love the role of Kahlan; it’s a joy to play someone you feel like you know so well, it’s just like a ‘second skin.’”

CH:  “Definitely.  The writers are even starting to kind of write specifically for us; they’re really watching our personalities come thru on-screen and writing that way.”

Taking Legend of the Seeker to a new level…

BR:  “Both of us felt the show become really ‘great’ last season during Episode 8, which was called ‘Denna.’  We enjoyed that one a lot.  It was almost verbatim from the book, so it was nice to go back and read that section and get inspired by it.”

CH:  “And yes, Denna (Jessica Marais) comes back this season…bigger and badder.”

BR:  “We also find out that Richard has more powers than he knew he had, which is huge.”

Television’s biggest fall sweeps month is always a bonanza for viewers, as stars and stunts punctuate many storylines.  There are some special treats coming up on CW dramas, such as popstar Lady Gaga performing her new single “Bad Romance” on the Nov. 16 episode of Gossip Girl, hints People; and an Upper East Side cameo by Spice Girl Victoria Beckham (Posh).  Also, who do you expect to see first—Serena’s elusive father…or the allegedly-dead Bart Bass?  Hmm.  Moving to Tuesdays, conniving film villain Kelly Lynch settles in on 90210 as Ivy’s (Gillian Zinser) hot mama.  Wonder how dating her daughter’s English teacher will play in the West Bev lounge?  Over on Melrose Place, Nick Zano (pictured) has officially joined the cast; and no, we haven’t seen the last of Sydney (Laura Leighton).  Turns out, Amanda had some unfinished business with the red-haired temptress, and that’ll unfold when Heather Locklear debuts Nov. 17.  Fans of The Vampire Diaries can begin debating which of the new characters is secretly a vampire slayer!  And don’t forget Legend of the Seeker, which premieres this weekend with two new recurring characters to cause havoc for Richard and Kahlan.  Jolene Blaylock, best known as the Vulcan T’Pol on Enterprise, portrays a mysterious Sister of the Dark, whose powerful magic could destroy the Confessor.  And Michael Whalley, 26, brings a bit of levity to his thorny role as Flynn.  The actors have completed filming nearly half of Season 2 in New Zealand, and took some time for an interview with WBNX earlier today.  We’ll post some of their comments here soon.

Toss out everything you thought you knew about Legend of the Seeker.  The immensely-popular epic fantasy series returns next Saturday with a two-hour Season Premiere Event, and though it might seem impossible to top the explosive first-year finale—just wait!  For starters, Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia on Buffy and Angel) will guest-star as an angry leather-clad Mord’Sith.  Then, with Darken Rahl’s stunning demise, Richard, Kahlan and Zedd have unwittingly ripped open the underworld, unleashing unspeakable evils to combat.  And with Rahl finally dethroned, the ensuing power struggle leads a suspicious, unexpected defector to the Seeker’s camp:  new series regular Tabrett Bethell as “Cara.”  The premiere episode also uncovers the relationship between the Seeker and the tyrannical villain he killed.  Perhaps the biggest shocker is revealed in the new preview below; it’s way too good to spoil in print, and some fans may not want to know before next Saturday.  (Also, if you need a five-minute refresher on the story thus far, click here to watch a great recap video.)  

Not yet a fan of Legend of the Seeker? Then chances are pretty great that you’ve never seen the show.  It’s just that good.  The story is epic, but the characters are three of the most likable heroes ever to dwell in sci-fi/fantasy TV.  And that’s due to the chemistry and appeal of Craig Horner (Richard), Bridget Regan (Kahlan) and Bruce Spence (Zedd), not exactly household names when the series began last November.  The buzz has steadily built, however, for the stars and the show, which is based on The Sword of Truth novels.  Season 1 ended with the shocking demise of Darken Rahl—in accord with original book, Wizard’s First Rule.  This fall, events will likely be drawn from the sequel, Stone of Tears, with Richard and Kahlan’s relationship strongly tested.  Below, Craig and Bridget preview the new season with E! Online.  And if you’re new to the series, click here for a 5-minute refresher video that’ll quickly bring you up-to-speed.

(Contains spoilers)   Legend of the Seeker wrapped up its unforgettable first season last weekend with one of the most shocking finales ever.  If you missed it, drop everything to catch the encore tomorrow night at 8pm.  To briefly recap, Richard uncovers the secret of defeating Darken Rahl: assemble the all-powerful boxes of Ordon while being “confessed” by Kahlan.  But the plan goes horribly awry, leading to the death of Zedd and—yes!—the marriage of Rahl to Kahlan, who bears a son more wicked than his father.  Who kills Rahl (twice)?  Who kills Kahlan?  And why is Richard suddenly alone with a Mord Sith 60 years in the future?  Only a half-senile Oracle knows the way back, and oh my…  To describe the episode as “epic” really doesn’t do it justice.  It’s a complete game-changer.  The questions we’re left with involve the heretofore forbidden love between the Seeker and Kahlan…and, in keeping with the first Sword of Truth novel, the apparent demise of primary villain Darken Rahl.  One week earlier, Rahl hinted at his secret family ties with Richard and sister Jennsen.  There’s more to be revealed on that subject, and Zedd may be hiding the intel.  See if you pick up on it during the climax when he sneers at Rahl, “You’re too late!”  Thankfully, it’s not too late to see this amazing season finale one more time.

Legend of the Seeker will close out its first season with five consecutive new episodes, and it’ll be hard to top recent revelations.  The thrilling story of woodsman-turned-hero Richard Cypher (Craig Horner) has moved along briskly, with a heavy dose of pathos.  Last month, the Seeker watched his brother die, and later discovered a family—mother, sister, grandfather—he was unaware existed, though recurring nemesis Denna ensured the reunion was short-lived.  Richard nearly killed Darken Rahl (Craig Parker) in their first electric encounter, and that war became personal when Rahl tortured Kahlan (Bridget Regan), releasing the Confessor’s mystical “blood rage.”  The episode was important enough that producers ended up reshooting the climactic scene.  “Because when we did it, we’re like, ‘We can do better,’” Horner tells SciFiWire.  “We can make that fight better, flesh it out.  So we went back and did a whole half day, just getting that fight right.”  In an interview with The Torch Online, exec producer Rob Talpert recalled casting the fantasy series, and “absolutely thought (Horner) was the guy, instantly.”  After one “chemistry reading” between Horner and Regan, the bosses immediately knew they had their leading stars.  “Wow, that’s cool,” Horner said.  “Yeah, I remember that room (laughs).  Bridget was the only actress who physically grabbed me and threw me against the wall.”  The fun continues tomorrow night, with a game-changing reveal yet to come.

There are certain watershed episodes you can point to that define a TV series, and last week’s fresh installment of Legend of the Seeker qualifies. Fortunately, those who missed it will get a second chance tomorrow night at 8pm, just prior to the first of four all-new March adventures. Without giving away too much, Richard, Kahlan and Zedd decide to hide the coveted magic box from Darken Rahl in the tomb of Kieran, the previous Seeker who battled a millennium earlier. Seems that his tale and demise was embellished rather extensively, however. Through flashbacks, we see Kieran and his Confessor (pictured) caving in to their love, much as Richard and Kahlan have been tempted to do. And we’re shown the consequences in a truly alarming sequence, during which the lives of our modern-day heroes are placed in dire jeopardy. For fans of this forbidden love story, Craig Horner and Bridget Regan show a side that we may never witness again. This week, Bridget told DaemonsTV.com that our stars’ relationship on-screen “will be questioned and tested to see how much they can restrain. I’ve never played a character that I have so much respect for; Kahlan has such integrity and passion for what she does, I find it inspiring. But…she’s being tested.” Watch the steamy drama unfold Saturday night, and you’ll quickly agree.

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