Duster Star Reveals Shocking Season 2 Possibilities!

Currently, Max’s TV series, titled “Duster,” hasn’t been renewed for a second season, but its gripping Season 1 finale suggests there are many more tales to be spun. This is a view shared by one of the show’s leading actors. The program focuses on Josh Holloway as Jim Ellis, a character who has recently become an informant, and Rachel Hilson portraying FBI Agent Nina Hayes. Together, they aim to dismantle Keith David’s crime lord, Ezra Saxton, and his criminal organization.

Actor Benjamin Charles Watson, known for his role in Duster, recently had a chat with TopMob. During this conversation, he provided insights into the evolution of his character Royce Saxon across Season 1, and expressed his hopes for potential future developments should the storyline continue.

Watson hinted that a potential Season 2 would bring significant changes and intrigue, stating, “It’s going to be incredibly unique and captivating.” He also shared his interest in delving deeper into Royce’s story, expressing a desire to understand if Royce is capable of taking on the responsibilities his father left behind. Additionally, Watson is keen on uncovering more about Royce’s mother’s role and how these new circumstances might impact his relationship with his elder sister.

The first season finale of the series “Duster” concluded with much turmoil, as Jim Ellis narrowly avoided being executed. However, Ezra Saxton (Keith David) made the ultimate sacrifice, taking a bullet intended for his son, leaving Royce bereft and potentially positioning him to inherit his family’s business empire.

Duster Season 1 is now streaming on Max.

Duster Star Benjmain Charles Watson on What He Wants to See In Season 2

“It’s Gonna Be Really, Really Different…”

TopMob: “What does this mean for Royce? What is Royce’s next step?”

Benjamin Charles Watson: I wonder, what could Royce’s upcoming move be? It seems like Royce is in line to take over, as he’s supposed to step up if anything goes awry with [dad]… However, there were hints. There were hints suggesting potential developments for Royce in a few of my scenes, for Season 2. So, if you keep a keen eye, there were hints. Therefore, if Season 2 does air, it will be quite different and intriguing when it does come out.

TopMob: “What have we heard about Season 2? Is it possible? Can fans keep hope alive?”

Assistant: There’s always room for optimism, given the events of the last episode. Of course, it leaves us eagerly awaiting Season 2 to unfold its mysteries.

TopMob: “Hypothetically, Season 2 happens. We’re now in hypothetical territory. What are you most excited to explore with Royce if this story gets to continue? What are some of those aspects that you would really love to dive more into that we just didn’t really have time for this season?”

Watson: I’m curious to find out if Royce possesses the capability to follow in his father’s footsteps, pushing boundaries as my dad did. Previously, my dad was more subdued and often delegated tasks to others. However, he wasn’t afraid to roll up his sleeves, as demonstrated when he engaged in that bar brawl. He was a man who acted boldly. Yet, since I’ve been ill, he seems to have mellowed out quite a bit, focusing more on family matters.
I’m eager to delve further into this topic and discover if I’ll tread a similar path as my father, immersing myself in hands-on work, or if I’ll take a more passive role and watch from the sidelines. However, I yearn for the former experience, as I want to explore the complexities of losing my father, understand how it might impact him, and investigate what that experience might entail. To me, this subject seems captivating and something I’m keen on exploring in depth.
And then, there’s definitely one more relationship to consider. Off the top of my head, I have a hunch that my sister and I might have a disagreement or two… She is older than me. She wants to run the company, but she can’t do so because, firstly, I am the one who will be taking over and continuing in my father’s footsteps. However, it’s also important to delve deeper into the dynamics of us being siblings, given that she is older.
Intriguingly, there are aspects of the bond between my mom that we haven’t delved into yet, which sparks my curiosity. I’m eager to unravel this dynamic, especially since the father character seems to be absent. This brings me to wonder, if I were to reach out to my mother in such a scenario, what would her response be? How would our interaction unfold, and what insights could it offer about our relationship…?
Since both my experimentation and the focus on a single parent figure, such as a father but not a mother, in Royce’s work were significant aspects, these are definitely topics I’m keen to explore further.

How Royce Feels About Jim Ellis’ Betrayal in Duster Season 1 Finale

“I Feel Completely Betrayed…”

TopMob: “Another key relationship is with Jim Ellis. Before I go deeper into it, [can you] just break down what their relationship looks like? How does Royce feel about his father’s close friend and what do we not see on screen? What are some of those interactions off-screen? And how do they feel about each other, even before the story starts?”

Benjamin Charles Watson: Essentially, [Royce] spent his childhood with Jim. Therefore, I’ve had the pleasure of observing Jim over an extended period, witnessing our bond and him being around my father. So to say, we share a special camaraderie… He feels like a brother to me, thus taking care of me frequently. Moreover, I’ve known him for a considerable length of time, implying that our relationship is quite profound. In essence, he is akin to another brother due to the extended period we’ve spent together, making me feel as if I’ve known him forever.

TopMob: “In the finale, all is revealed: Ellis turned against Saxton. But what we don’t see, however, is how Royce feels about it all. How do you picture his reaction? What is his mindset about that current situation as it’s unfolding?”

Watson expressed his surprise and disappointment, saying “It was hard to accept, given our history, that Jim could have done what happened in the last episode. Frankly, it left me feeling utterly shocked and let down.
Royce feels completely shattered and deceived since this act feels like a profound betrayal. In our line of work, trust is crucial, and you were more than just an associate – you were like family to me. When I brought you in, I never expected such treachery. Now, after the last episode’s events, it seems that you have betrayed us all. Given these circumstances, I must stand with my father, and there is no turning back. I can’t say, “oh, my goodness, let’s find a way to save him.” Instead, the betrayal of our trust, my dad, and our family leaves me with no other choice but to confront this head-on.
If you act against our family in such a way, it’s unfortunate but I’m left with no choice but to ask you to leave. Essentially, your actions have echoes of betrayal that mirror those of my father, who was part of our family.

TopMob: “How was that big, massive shootout to film?”

Watson: Oh my goodness, let me tell you! Firstly, that was absolutely fantastic. But secondly, I had to sprint in those high heels because, as it turns out, men were also wearing them back then. So, I had no choice but to run in those shoes, and apparently, nobody taught you that either.
You might not appreciate it, but honestly, I can’t fathom how women manage this feat, earning my utmost respect – running in those shoes was the most challenging task I’ve ever encountered in my lifetime. They would slip due to poor grip, making them slippery, and I even sprained my ankle once. Nevertheless, that sequence was simply extraordinary. It was thrilling. It was enjoyable. Shooting that scene was a sheer pleasure.
In addition to these props, we utilized small projectiles that would collide and subsequently burst, creating sparks. This was incredibly beneficial for us as performers since it allowed us to visualize where the bullets were impacting and see the sparks fly. The scene was truly remarkable, and the stunts, such as when the car crashes, added to the excitement. However, what made shooting this particularly enjoyable was that it was a new experience for me.

The Complicated Father-Son Relationship Between Royce and Saxton

Their Relationship “Is a Bit Complex.”

TopMob: “You play Royce Saxton, the son of legendary Ezra Saxton. Can you just dive into their relationship? What does that look like?”

Benjamin Charles Watson describes his dynamic with Royce and his father as somewhat intricate due to several factors. As the inheritor of a vast corporation built by his father, there’s naturally an expectation associated with this role. However, Royce has often felt undeserving, stemming from health issues he has faced throughout their relationship.
Due to his frequent illnesses, Royce has never gotten the chance to prove himself as the man his father envisioned. Instead, his father is overly protective and concerned about his wellbeing, which Royce perceives as overindulgence, not realizing that his father’s actions stemmed from genuine care and love.
Essentially, he’s putting forth his utmost effort all through this season, aiming to simply impress his father, prove his worth, and showcase his potential to transform into the powerful man his father longs to recognize.

TopMob: “He probably feels so much pressure on a daily basis. How do you even get through a day with the amount of pressure he probably has?”

Watson is under a significant amount of pressure because his older sister has her own club, which their father bought for her. Although Watson’s father trusts his sister, he doesn’t seem to have the same faith in Watson. Consequently, Watson feels limited in his opportunities, leading him to question how he can earn his father’s affection, trust, and recognition that he cannot become the person his father desires him to be. Navigating a day in his father’s mind is a challenging endeavor.

TopMob: “After his heart surgery, how does that change that dynamic between you and your father?”

Watson: It’s clear that I’m undergoing significant changes, and it’s not that I’ve grown stronger, but rather my heart has transformed me into something more intricate – something that feels more empowered, as if for the first time in a long while. This evolution is truly altering the relationship between who I was initially and who I am now, which has been quite captivating to observe.

TopMob: “Ezra Saxon’s empire, is that something that will for sure, the intention is to trickle down to Royce? Is that kind of what Royce feels like his life is being set up as?”

Watson: Certainly, since you are the family’s offspring, it means you will inherit and manage the business once your father passes on. The responsibility of living up to his expectations and becoming the strong, self-reliant—though not necessarily intimidating—man he envisions must have been a challenge for you. You aspire to emulate your father, who is like a fearless lion, in running the company. This ambition has driven you throughout the series.

Benjamin Charles Watson on Mastering Royce’s Tricky Mood Swings

“It Was the Most Complex Thing I’ve Ever Done…”

TopMob: “One of the interesting aspects of your recovery are the intense mood swings that Royce has to go through, and that must have been a challenge to navigate on a performance level. Can you talk about that a little bit?”

Benjamin Charles Watson: Let me be honest, it was really tough. It was intricate, there were so many emotional ups and downs that Royce experienced, and I had to figure out the best way to portray it in my script. Plus, I had to consider how to harmonize it with the other actors…
In essence, I worked with an unnamed acting coach on a specific scene, commonly referred to as the “steak scene.” The coach suggested that I should cry to convey the required emotions, but I found that it didn’t work for me. Instead, I felt like I genuinely needed to shed tears for the authenticity of my performance.
In simpler terms, “So, just like in various scenes, I was genuinely shedding tears.” Later on, during the show’s progression, you can observe me crying, getting angry, and expressing a range of emotions. Consequently, managing all these emotions within the script was quite challenging because it had to be concise and tightly written.
In my approach, thinking plays a significant role, so the thoughts of my character Royce had to be swift and well-structured. This required adjusting his thoughts quickly, tightening them up, rehearsing them thoroughly, ensuring each thought before delivering a line was solid, which helped me achieve the emotional state I needed. A new thought then helped me transition out of that state.
As a die-hard fan, I must confess that tackling this project was the most intricate challenge I’ve encountered yet. I sincerely hope my efforts paid off, but let me tell you, it wasn’t easy… words can’t express the complexity of the process. A significant portion of my approach stemmed from my thoughts and intuition. It was a dance between my lines and what other characters responded with, always considering Royce’s emotional state and his journey throughout the entire series, as well as the path he walked prior to this point.
To ensure everything remained undamaged, I needed to reach the emotionally intense situation where I experienced a whirlwind of strong emotions.

TopMob: “You also have competing internal [feelings]—[and] on the surface you may be like, crying or anger, or whatever it may be, but internally, you’re panicking; I don’t want to feel this way. Like, why am I feeling this way? Which might not register on the outside, and so you have to juggle all of those.”

Watson: Indeed, the scenes involving my father are particularly challenging for me at the moment. I can’t quite put my feelings into words right now, but I am clearly feeling something intense. It’s difficult to proceed because my father is present, and I don’t want him to perceive me as weak. My mind after the last few episodes has been absolutely overwhelmed.

TopMob: “So, this Royce that we meet in the show, how different is he from the Royce before the show started, before the surgery. Like, what are the differences there? Are we seeing basically a reborn version of this person?”

Sure thing!
Watson: Indeed, the person in question appears to have been reborn due to receiving a new heart. Previously, there were concerns such as my father not trusting me to take on responsibilities because of his worry about my health. He would think, “What if he dies while trying to accomplish something for me, for himself, or for the company?” Therefore, the earlier version of myself was quite timid and shy, always questioning how to go about daily life. However, once I recovered, things started happening more confidently. Clearly, there’s a significant change in my voice now, absolutely 100%.

The entire conversation can be viewed here:

2025-07-04 05:06