Surface Finale: Sophie’s Dark Secrets & Toxic Soulmates Explained

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[This story contains spoilers from Surface season two, including the finale “Unearthed.”]

At the culmination of season two on Apple TV+’s “Surface”, character Sophie Ellis, portrayed by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, has uncovered proof implicating the Huntley family in her mother’s demise. In keeping with the series’ trademark style, however, just as she is about to share this damning information with the authorities, a final surprise unfolds.

It’s been uncovered that warrants for arrest exist against Sophie, stemming from a period when she was known as Tess Caldwell. The specific reasons behind these warrants and potential implications of this revelation about her past on her future remain unknown. Further exploration of these aspects might be possible in a hypothetical third season of the show Surface. As of now, Apple TV+ has not yet confirmed a renewal for the thriller, which aired its final episode of the eight-episode second season on April 11, following its premiere on Feb. 21.

As a devoted fan, I’ve been pondering where this captivating series might be heading next. In fact, I’ve had some private chats with the brilliant showrunner Veronica West. Although I can’t spill the beans about our discussions, let me assure you that the ideas we’ve exchanged are truly intriguing!

As a gamer stepping into the shoes of Sophie, I can’t help but feel she’s honed some remarkable abilities in this journey – her knack for solving mysteries and her unwavering pursuit of justice. I’m eager to watch her stand up against power, unearth corruption, and perhaps even shine a light on wrongdoings in other lands too.

Following his statement to The Hollywood Reporter that the final episode of Season 1 reinforces Surface’s core concept, West now expresses that the conclusion of Season 2 presents a chance to amplify this premise even further.

She expresses her belief that the unresolved plot points and ending provide us with a chance to delve deeper and advance even further, as we come to understand Sophie’s true potential,” she shares with THR. “It was thrilling to collaborate with Gugu and ponder over what these warrants might represent. What could Sophie have experienced during the time gap between her departure from Eliza (Millie Brady) and her encounter with James (Oliver Jackson-Cohen)? This period, approximately six to eight years, presents a tantalizing opportunity for Sophie to get into trouble. And that prospect is truly intriguing.

Lauren Neustadter, who oversees the production of “Surface” through her company Hello Sunshine along with Reese Witherspoon, expressed to THR prior to the release of season two that they are “hopefully anticipating, but we would be thrilled to carry on telling this story. I genuinely believe there’s some fantastic material still to explore.

She highly admires West’s “extremely crisp understanding of how these segments of Sophie’s life might unfold and should develop.

But she also hopes season two will be well-received regardless of what happens next.

Neustadter often remarks, ‘When we’re doing our work correctly, our audience should feel truly content with the season we’ve provided, but we also create an intriguing opportunity for what lies ahead.’

At the end, Sophie and James (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), who had gradually reconciled after a hostile initial encounter during the season, decide to go their separate ways. However, as James gains insight into Sophie’s past pursuits, they join forces and flee together.

However, upon arriving at the airport, with their passports in hand, Sophie declares that she must remain behind to complete her quest for justice on behalf of her mother.

It’s yet unclear whether the central couple from the movie “Surface” has parted ways permanently, or if they might rekindle their relationship in the future.

Mbatha-Raw and Jackson-Cohen were both coy when asked about Sophie and James’ future.

It seems that Sophie will always hold some affection for James, but she also needs to complete what she’s begun and honor her personal growth. I believe she wouldn’t make a good partner unless she resolves this aspect of herself first. Mbatha-Raw suggests that as Sophie matures, she recognizes she can’t be with James, even if she loves him deeply, until she heals this part of herself.

Jackson-Cohen expresses his curiosity about the path Sophie and James take, wondering if they’ll manage to mend their relationship or if they might need to part ways permanently.

Regarding the evolution of James’ emotions as he uncovers more details about Sophie’s activities in London, he suggests it unfolds gradually.

In season two, James’ intentions become singularly focused and somewhat naive, resembling a child’s determination. He exhibits a rage that can be seen as immature, declaring, ‘I will make you pay.’ However, Jackson-Cohen suggests that James might not fully grasp the complexities or solitude Sophie experiences during her quest.

As the story progresses, there seems to be an emerging awareness in James. While it’s not selfless, he appears to understand that he must allow Sophie to continue on her journey and cannot obstruct her path. If this means they can’t physically be together, James may be beginning to comprehend that their love endures, but their physical proximity is impossible. Jackson-Cohen implies that James is starting to realize that if you truly love someone, you must let them follow their own path and not try to dictate or confine them, which was a recurring issue in season one.

But West remains optimistic about their romance.

West expresses that they have an unusual, complex bond, describing them as “soulmates in a strange, twisted sense.” He explains that their connection is strong and Sophie consistently puts James in more trouble than she did at the end of season one. While initially it was just financial debt, by season two, James is on the run and has committed murder for her sake. West believes that since he’s in such a dire situation because of her, Sophie owes him a way out and will go to great lengths to help him escape, demonstrating their deep affection for each other, despite their toxic relationship.

At the conclusion of the season, it becomes clear to both Sophie and audiences alike how her mother met her demise. However, the Huntleys offer contrasting explanations as to why her mother was murdered and why they chose to keep Sophie separated from their privileged clan.

Still West says viewers can trust what Sophie remembers.

West explains that when viewed from Gugu’s perspective, Sophie’s recollection of Olivia (Joely Richardson) accidentally dropping a gun in shock appears to be accurate. He believes Sophie’s memories can be trusted and later, Olivia confesses this truth to Eliza (Millie Brady). What’s intriguing is how these characters band together, which is a central theme of the series. Those who know the secret are keeping it hidden, and unless you need to know, we won’t reveal the secret.

The outcome for Sophie’s mother and the way the entire Huntley clan, including Sophie, deal with the revelation of this fresh family tie is ultimately revealed, following numerous surprises and unforeseen events. This element of surprise and unexpected development has been a defining characteristic of the series Surface since its very first season.

For West and Neustadter, each surprise is deliberately crafted and centered around the characters.

West discusses the approach his writing team took when planning season two’s intricate plot twists. “First, we needed to determine the truth of what transpired,” he explains. “When crafting a mystery like this, it’s essential to begin at the conclusion and work backward. We discovered in season two that we wanted to meticulously chart out the days when Sophie’s mother died and when Sophie and Eliza separated, uncovering the events that occurred during those critical moments. For us as writers, it felt less like a series of twists because we were simply revealing and connecting the puzzle pieces of that fateful day.

An interesting technique we employed in season two was portraying all of Sophie’s memories as separate incidents: driving in a car with her mother, her mother cutting flowers, etc. However, as the season progressed, you began to see these memories as part of one continuous day. By the end of [episode eight], everything fell into place, and you realized that each memory was significant because it represented a crucial moment leading up to the tragic event, and that flower petal dropping was the most poignant one, symbolizing the last time Sophie’s mother ever cut flowers.

Neustadter explains, “The twists are primarily shaped by the characters’ emotions. The climax involving Henry (Rupert Graves) is unexpected and intriguing because it delves into his feelings. I think it’s revealing and thought-provoking.

Later, after Eliza gives Sophie a crucial hint regarding her mother’s location, Brady remarks that her actions are carving out a fresh direction for the Huntley family lineage.

In a conversation with THR, Brady expresses that this moment seems to be about her making a decision on which path to take: Either the uncharted path leading towards truth or remaining entangled in the long-standing family trauma that has persisted for generations. He perceives it less as betrayal and more as an act of self-care, choosing not to continue the cycle.

In the realm of gaming, if we were to speculate about Season 3, West hinted it might delve into where the offspring of our beloved Eliza and Quinn (Phil Dunster) – the Huntleys – might end up next. As for my character Sophie’s future ties with the Huntley clan, Jodie Mbatha-Raw isn’t entirely sure if I’d feel at ease aligning myself with such a potentially perilous collective.

The situation is quite intricate. It seems she primarily identifies with the memory of her mother and seeking justice for her. Despite learning about her heritage as a Huntley, knowing she has siblings and her father’s identity, I believe it’s difficult for her to fully accept this identity given their past actions against her mother. This leaves her in a complex position, as the gravity of their crimes makes complete reconciliation challenging. She appears driven to uncover the truth about them, but the question remains if exposing the truth and remaining connected are compatible. I’m not sure she would want to be fully associated with the Huntley family due to a lack of trust, given the extensive betrayal and the fact that her mother is involved. So, it’s uncertain whether she would feel at ease identifying or embracing the life as a Huntley without another compelling reason for justice.

Season two of Surface is now streaming on Apple TV+.

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2025-04-20 18:25