Noah Centineo is back in action as CIA lawyer Owen Hendricks in The Recruit Season 2, marking his return after a two-year gap. But while fans have been waiting patiently for the sequel, only a few weeks have passed in Owen’s world, meaning he’s still deep in the chaos of his last mission.
The new season picks up right where Season 1 left off, with Owen in a life-threatening situation—this time, at the mercy of a Russian mafia enforcer who has a gun to his head. After being captured by a cartel at the end of the first season, things are only getting more intense for him.
In a recent chat with Deadline, Centineo opened up about the challenges of filming a shorter season and how his character has evolved.
Unlike the first season, which had eight episodes, The Recruit Season 2 was trimmed down to just six. But according to Centineo, that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. He actually likes it when shows get shorter because it forces the story to move faster and keeps the audience on their toes. Every episode has to go all-in, making the stakes even higher and the narrative more gripping.
When asked about moments that took things to the next level, Centineo admitted he was surprised by a few major plot twists. He didn’t expect Dawn to die or that Nichika would try to kill him. Those unexpected turns made the show even more thrilling for him. Another standout experience? Filming a scene on a nuclear submarine, which he described as absolutely spectacular.
How Is Owen So Good at Fighting?
Let’s be real—Owen Hendricks isn’t just a CIA lawyer; he’s also surprisingly skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Fans have been curious about how a legal expert manages to hold his own in fights, and Centineo finally shed some light on that.
According to him, Owen had an aggressive streak growing up, whether in middle school or high school. His temper was largely fueled by the grief of losing his father, which made him prone to getting into fights. However, after making a promise to his mother to stay out of trouble, he worked on calming himself down once he got into college.
But there’s another factor at play—Owen’s father was in the military. Centineo thinks that could explain his impressive combat skills, as it’s possible that his father trained him in self-defense growing up.
Owen’s Love Life: Is Romance Off the Table?
With all the danger surrounding him, is there any room for romance in Owen’s life? Centineo doesn’t think so. Given his unpredictable job, constant travel, and high-risk missions, settling down doesn’t seem like the smartest idea for him right now.
But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t crave connection. In fact, Centineo believes Owen’s unfulfilled romantic desires are why he’s rooting for Jang Kyun, a character fighting for his wife. Deep down, Owen admires that level of devotion—maybe even wishing he had something similar in his own life.
If you’re ready for more action, espionage, and unexpected twists, The Recruit Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.