Locations

Although filmed in Canadian provinces of British Columbia and Ontario,^[6] the plot takes place in what was Western Pennsylvania.^[5] Some key names and locations from the show — despite differences due to language change — can be identified:

Source:^[4][5]

• Alkenny — Alleghany
• Kanzua — Kinzua Dam
• Pennsa — State College^[7]
• Trivantes — Pittsburgh

Main

• Jason Momoa as Baba Voss, a fearless warrior and the leader of the Alkenny Tribe. He is the husband of Maghra, older brother of Edo Voss, and the adopted father of Kofun and Haniwa, children born with the now-dormant sense of sight. He places the safety of his family, friends, and tribe as a top priority to protect them from the Witchfinders. This was Jason Momoa's second lead television role (after starring in the Canadian series Frontier).
• Sylvia Hoeks as Queen Sibeth Kane, the ruler of the Payan Kingdom and Maghra's older sister. She exercises her power ruthlessly and murders anyone who spreads heresy about the sense of sight.
• Hera Hilmar as Maghra Kane, who joined the Alkenny Tribe as a stranger, soon marrying Baba Voss. She is the younger sister of Sibeth and the mother of Kofun and Haniwa. Fiercely protective of her family, Maghra will do whatever is necessary to keep them alive.
• Christian Camargo as Tamacti Jun, the royal tax collector and Witchfinder General of the Payan army. A brilliant and violent soldier, he is tasked with finding those with sight, specifically the children of Jerlamarel.
• Archie Madekwe as Kofun, the son of Baba Voss and Maghra, and the biological son of Jerlamarel, who has the ability to see. Composed, careful and intelligent, he grows to be more cautious than his twin sister Haniwa.
• Nesta Cooper as Haniwa, the daughter of Baba Voss and Maghra, and the biological daughter of Jerlamarel, who also has the ability to see. Proud, determined, and strong, she grows to be more rebellious than her twin brother Kofun, and more curious about their true origins.
• Yadira Guevara-Prip as Bow Lion (season 1; guest seasons 2–3), a fierce ally of Baba Voss and a member of the Alkenny Tribe. She is the daughter of The Dreamer and possesses the skills of a "Shadow Warrior", having the rare ability to move undetected by sound or smell.
• Alfre Woodard as Paris (seasons 1–2), a wise elder member of the Alkenny Tribe. Her innate wisdom guides Baba Voss, especially in times of crisis, and she acts as a mother figure to him. She also serves as the shaman of the tribe.
• Eden Epstein as Wren (seasons 2–3), a smart and ambitious lieutenant, later captain, of the Trivantian army, who has the ability to see and is a close confidant of Edo Voss.
• Olivia Cheng as Charlotte (seasons 2–3), a fierce warrior from The Compass, a tribe tasked with protecting sighted children. She has no filter and is not shy about saying whatever is on her mind.
• Hoon Lee as Toad (season 2), a skilled Witchfinder soldier. He believes sight is evil, which has been ingrained in him since birth.
• Tom Mison as Lord Harlan (seasons 2–3), the fast-talking, smart, and cunning ruler of the city of Pennsa. He is the older brother of Kerrigan and a childhood friend of Maghra.
• Dave Bautista as Edo Voss (season 2), the vengeful younger brother of Baba Voss and the Commander General of the Trivantian army, the rival kingdom of Payan.
• David Hewlett as Tormada (season 3; guest season 2), the chief science officer of the Trivantian army who develops a new and devastating form of sighted weaponry.
• Michael Raymond-James as Ranger (season 3), a childhood friend of Baba from Trivantes, now living as a nomad in the Northern Mountains.

Recurring

• Tantoo Cardinal as The Dreamer (season 1), an elder member of the Alkenny Tribe and the mother of Bow Lion.
• Mojean Aria as Gether Bax (season 1), an untrustworthy member of the Alkenny Tribe and the nephew of Souter Bax.
• Marilee Talkington as Souter Bax (season 1), a member of the Alkenny Tribe and the aunt of Gether Bax.
• Bree Klauser as Matal (season 1), a member of the Alkenny Tribe and a "Presage", someone with an extrasensory ability to feel emotions.
• Luc Roderique as Arca (season 1), the quartermaster of the Alkenny Tribe. Arca is loyal to Baba Voss.
• Peter James Bryant as Lord Dune (season 1), one of Sibeth Kane's advisors and a member of the ruling council of Payan.
• Hiro Kanagawa as Lord Unoa (season 1), the royal physician of Payan.
• Lauren Glazier as Nyrie (season 1), the loyal lady-in-waiting of Sibeth Kane.
• Franz Drameh as Boots (season 1; guest season 2), a mysterious former member of a scavenger tribe. He is also a son of Jerlamarel and has the ability to see.
• Timothy Webber as Cutter (season 1), a slave owner who controls a silk manufacturing operation that supplies the nobles of Payan.
• Jessica Harper as Cora (season 1; guest season 2), a slave who worked at Cutter's silk farms, until she later gains her freedom.
• Dayo Okeniyi as Oloman (season 2; guest seasons 1, 3), the oldest of Jerlamarel's sighted children and his right hand. He is also a proficient engineer.
• Alex Breaux as Dax (season 2), a Witchfinder serving under Toad.
• Adam Morse as Frye (season 2), a Witchfinder serving under Toad.
• Luke Humphrey as Kerrigan (season 2), Lord Harlan's younger brother and close advisor.
• Martin Roach as Captain Gosset (seasons 2–3), the commander of the military forces in Pennsa.
• Nina Kiri as Harmony (season 2; guest season 3), a servant in Pennsa who attends to both Sibeth & Maghra Kane.
• Adrian Groulx as Rockwell (season 2), a young child of Jerlamarel who was gifted to Edo Voss so he can take advantage of sight in combat.
• Joe Flanigan as The Military (season 2; guest season 3), a member of the triumvirate that rules The Trivantians who commands the army.
• Mainei Kinimaka as Belu (season 3; guest season 1), also known as Lu, she is a member of the Alkenny Tribe and a "Kill Dancer", an expert martial artist.
• Tamara Tunie as Nevla/ The Bank (season 3; guest season 2), a member of the triumvirate that rules The Trivantians who controls the finances and economics.
• Dean Jagger as Lucien Bray (season 3), a former Witchfinder with a strong hatred of the sighted who openly rebels against his Queen.
• Trieste Kelly Dunn as Ambassador Trovere (season 3), the new representative of The Trivantians, replacing Scopus, and a former lover of Lord Harlan.
• Murry Peeters as Shiloh (season 3), a former Witchfinder and Lucien's second-in-command.
• Matthew G. Taylor as Lieutenant Maddox (season 3), a high-ranking soldier in the Trivantian army who is loyal to Tormada.

Guest

• Sharon Taylor as Ilun (season 1), a member of the Alkenny Tribe and a "Ayura", someone with an enhanced sense of hearing.
• Brianna Clark as Sinjay (season 1), a member of the Alkenny Tribe and a midwife who helps Maghra give birth.
• Joshua Henry as Jerlamarel (seasons 1–2), a heretic and preacher of sight. He is the biological father of Kofun, Haniwa, Boots, and many other sighted children.
• Aleks Paunovic as Wech (season 1), a notorious slaver who preys upon vulnerable tribes.
• Gabrielle Rose as Lady An (season 1), one of Sibeth Kane's advisors and a member of the ruling council of Payan.
• Kyra Zagorsky as Delia (season 1), a former lover of Jerlamarel and Boot's mother.
• Damaris Lewis as Sheva, one of Jerlamarel's sighted children who acts as his advisor.
• Raven Scott as Nonni (seasons 1, 3), one of Jerlamarel's sighted children.
• Eddie McGee as Yakis (season 2), a blacksmith working in Trivantes and an old friend of Baba Voss.
• James Immekus as The People (seasons 2–3), a member of the triumvirate that rules The Trivantians who speaks for the civilians of the capital city, Trivantes.
• David Eisner as Ambassador Scopus (season 2), the representative of The Trivantians.

Season 1 (2019)

Season 2 (2021)

More information No. overall, No. in season ...

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original release date
9	1	"Brothers and Sisters"	Simon Cellan-Jones	Jonathan Tropper	August 27, 2021 (2021-08-27)
Haniwa is currently being held captive in Trivantes by Edo Voss, Baba's brother and leader of the Trivantian army. Baba sneaks into Trivantes, his former home, to search for Haniwa. Wren, Edo's top lieutenant, is placed in charge of guarding Haniwa and unbeknownst to others is sighted. Baba seeks help from an old friend, Yakis, to learn where Haniwa is being held. While attempting to rescue Haniwa, Baba is tricked by those helping him. He is able to fight his way out of the ambush initially but is seen by a sighted boy and then captured by Edo. In Pennsa, Queen Kane names the city as the new Payan capital, usurping Lord Harlan from his own home. Maghra who knew Harlan when they were children tries to quell his doubts about how Kanzua was destroyed. Queen Kane falsely proclaims that the Trivantian Republic destroyed Kanzua, and vows to go to war with Trivantes. She declares that she is pregnant, that the child will be sighted, and that the prophesied "chosen one" will lead Payan to victory as the region's dominant kingdom. Consequently, she declares that sighted people are no longer witches, which upsets a significant portion of her subjects. Meanwhile, a contingent of the Witchfinder army finds Kofun and intend to bring back to his mother leaving Paris behind.
10	2	"Forever"	Frederick E.O. Toye & Anders Engström	Stephen Tolkin	September 3, 2021 (2021-09-03)
This article needs an improved plot summary. (November 2022) Jerlamarel struggles to accept that he has forever lost the ability to see. Baba remains captured in the Trivantian capital and is being continuously whipped in the dungeon. In his cell Baba encounters Tamacti Jun, also imprisoned in Trivantes after surviving the attack on him by Queen Kane and Boots. Tamacti Jun tells Baba that Princess Maghra lives and is with Queen Kane. Wren and Haniwa become closer after Wren shows her around the city and takes Haniwa to her secret place filled with art and books. Baba is tortured by Edo's men and then paraded around the city before they plan to execute him. Haniwa is moved to a different location. Wren decides to help Baba escape and they go searching for Haniwa. Wren frees Haniwa while Edo and Baba fight one another. In Pennsa, Queen Kane tells Maghra that she is to marry Lord Harlan. Maghra protests and says that she is married to Baba. Haniwa rescues Baba from Edo, who then frees Tamacti Jun to help them escape the city. Wren declines Haniwa's request to join them and stays behind. Queen Kane miscarries the child she conceived with Boots; in her madness she brutally murders Cora and Boots.
11	3	"The Compass"	Frederick E.O. Toye & Anders Engström	Shelley Meals	September 10, 2021 (2021-09-10)
This article needs an improved plot summary. (November 2022) Edo's leadership is called into question by the triumvirate. Edo commands Wren to find the traitor who helped Baba, Tamacti Jun, and Haniwa escape. After escaping, the three continue on to search for Kofun, and plan to reunite with Maghra. Lord Harlan, in the silent presence of Queen Kane, questions Palace Sentry Zechan about what happened to the city of Kanzua. He tells Lord Harlan that the Trivantians did not attack the city, but that he suspects Queen Kane destroyed the city as the people were turning against her. Harlan then kills Zechan. Queen Kane blackmails Princess Maghra to marry Lord Harlan by claiming her son, Kofun, will not be safe if she does not marry Harlan. Maghra agrees to the marriage as long as Harlan understands that this is only an arrangement of convenience and that the marriage will not be consummated. Paris, along with people from The Compass (guardians sworn to save the sighted) come and save Haniwa, Baba and Tamacti Jun from Slavers. Maghra makes her own plans with Harlan regarding their marriage of convenience. Paris shares her story with Haniwa about how she was a Compass Guardian and warrior; sworn to protect those with sight. She reveals that she was given the job of protecting a gifted sighted child - she reveals this child was Jerlameral, Haniwa's birth father. Jerlameral ran away from Paris with the books and coded ropes. Paris felt she had failed The Compass and left them. Witch hunters Axe, Dax and Frye attack Kofun in the hopes of killing him. Witch hunter Toad fights against them all to protect Kofun.
12	4	"The Witchfinder"	Anders Engström	Jennifer Yale	September 17, 2021 (2021-09-17)
This article needs an improved plot summary. (November 2022) Kofun and Toad arrive in Pennsa as Maghra's wedding day to marry Lord Harlan is to commence. Kofun begs his mother, Maghra, not to marry, but she tells him she will explain everything later and is doing this for their protection. Maghra instructs Kofun to remain in her room during the marriage ceremony, but he sneaks out to witness this travesty against his father, Baba Voss. After the wedding, Queen Kane approaches Kofun and makes flirtatious innuendos towards him. With Baba feverish, he Haniwa and Paris make their way to the village of Valier. Tamacti Jun remains behind as he had previously caused much harm to the village. Baba, Paris, and Haniwa run into trusted friend, Bow Lion, who is now practicing to be a healer. Meanwhile, not knowing that Haniwa is now with Baba, Princess Maghra seeks out Lord Harlan to hire his brother, Kerrigan, to go rescue Haniwa from Trivantes. Baba and his group head to Pennsa.
13	5	"The Dinner Party"	Anders Engström	Kirsa Rein	September 23, 2021 (2021-09-23)
Queen Kane convenes her council to assess their army's strength against the Trivantians. Princess Maghra and Lord Harlan conspire for peace with the Trivantians, seeking an apology for the City of Kanzua's attack. Kofun seeks to be trained by Toad to protect his family. Lieutenant Wren, appointed as an ambassador, persuades Edo Voss to seek peace with the Payan people. Tamacti Jun locates Princess Maghra in the palace, while Baba's family reunites. Queen Kane feigns warmth, revealing plans to send Maghra as an ambassador to Trivantes. Lord Harlan warns of the consequences of their secret marriage. Maghra discovers Baba's scars, remnants of his efforts to rescue Haniwa. Tamacti Jun informs Toad of his survival. Paris overhears skepticism about the Queen's views on the sighted. Toad relays a message to Maghra, pledging to protect Kofun. Maghra, Baba, and Toad meet Tamacti Jun, instructing him to gather Witchhunters. Harlan receives Kerrigan's head, causing him to have a breakdown. Queen Kane shares her vulnerability with Kofun, aiming to gain his trust, and for him to impregnate her.
14	6	"The Truth About Unicorns"	Anders Engström	Nelson Greaves	October 1, 2021 (2021-10-01)
Princess Maghra, Lord Harlan, and Baba embark on a peace summit with the Trivantians. Paris foresees betrayal and bloodshed. Edo Voss appoints Wren as a captain to influence the Payan delegation. Toad trains Kofun in combat and self-defense. Queen Kane bonds with Kofun during a horse ride, expressing gratitude for her newfound freedom. Haniwa catches up with the group, warning them about Paris' vision. Lord Harlan arranges a secret meeting with Trivantian Ambassador Scopus for peaceful negotiations. Queen Kane invites Kofun to a private dinner, introducing him to the hallucinatory Thornflower. Confused, Kofun has sex with the Queen. Queen Zane forges a secret pact with Kofun. Haniwa and Wren share a night of intimacy. Paris' vision unfolds with a Payan assassin attack, leaving Wren as the sole survivor — she accuses Haniwa of betrayal and leaves for Trivantes. Queen Kane, fearing impending danger, seeks solace with Kofun, spending the night in his bed. The next day, Maghra confronts the Queen upon her return, throwing a meal in anger.
15	7	"The Queen's Speech"	Anders Engström	Jamie Chan	October 8, 2021 (2021-10-08)
Queen Kane's war declaration against the Trivante people prompts Maghra to act. Tamacti Jun exposes the Queen's atrocities, leading to calls for Maghra and Tamacti Jun's arrest. Harlan intervenes, revealing the Queen's deceit and rallying support against her. Tamacti Jun's plan to behead Queen Kane is thwarted by Paris, who discloses the Queen's pregnancy, disturbing Kofun. Queen Kane is confined to house arrest. Wren, guided by her sight, aids the Trivantians in capturing Woodvale and advances towards Pennsa with sighted soldiers. Maghra, Captain Gosset, Baba, and Tamacti Jun strategize against the approaching Trivante army. Haniwa unveils Trivantes' use of sighted soldiers, leading to a plan to meet at the Greenhill Gap fortress. Kofun and Haniwa pledge to join the Payan army. Edo Voss hires an assassin. Kofun confronts Queen Kane about his role in her pregnancy prophecy. Maghra, preparing for battle, is stopped by Tamacti Jun, emphasizing her leadership role. Queen Maghra delivers an inspiring speech to the Payan army. Tamacti Jun leads, with Harlan, Kofun, and Haniwa in tow. Paris invites Toad on a secret journey. Haniwa shares thoughts with Kofun, who requests a reading from her book of poems. An assassin targets Queen Maghra, but Harlan intervenes, causing the assassin's demise. The Trivantian army, unexpectedly larger, approaches Greenhill Gap. Haniwa pleads for peace with Wren, who sees war as inevitable. Haniwa flees amid flying arrows as the battle unfolds.
16	8	"Rock-a-Bye"	Anders Engström	Jonathan Tropper	October 15, 2021 (2021-10-15)
Haniwa rushes back to Greenhill Gap, securing the gates for battle. Tamacti Jun sends a rider to Queen Maghra, advising evacuation of the city. Paris joins other hidden tribes, pledging loyalty to Baba Voss. Maghra confronts Sibeth, learning that Kofun is the child's father. Determined to raise the child as her own, Maghra plans to take custody of it upon delivery. Baba delivers an inspiring speech before leading the Payan army to an epic battle, ultimately victorious despite Toad's sacrifice. Wren survives a frozen river trap and escapes. After the battle, Baba faces Edo in a final confrontation, achieving a form of reconciliation as he defeats him. Haniwa urges Wren to stay, but she chooses her Trivante family. Paris mourns Toad, and the successful Payan army returns to Pennsa. Reunited, Baba, Kofun, and Haniwa join Maghra. Queen Maghra releases the Witchfinder Army from service vows, appointing Tamacti Jun as High General of the Payan Army and former Witchfinders to Payan's Royal Guard. The Trivantian Commander forces Oloman to create explosives. Baba bids a silent farewell to his sleeping family before leaving Pennsa. Paris checks on the pregnant Sibeth, who murders Paris, warning against any attempts to take her child.

Close

Season 3 (2022)

Development

On January 10, 2018, it was announced that Apple had given the production a series order for a single eight-episode season. The series was written by Steven Knight and directed by Francis Lawrence, both of whom also executive produced alongside Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, and Kristen Campo. Production companies involved with the series consisted of Chernin Entertainment and Endeavor Content.^{[8][9][10][11][12][13]}

Lawrence, Knight, the show's writers, and the art and prop departments worked with blindness consultants, an evolutionary biologist, and a survivalist on worldbuilding See, brainstorming about how societies would develop and function under such conditions.^[14][15]

On November 7, 2019, Apple ordered a second season of the series.^[16] In June 2021, Apple announced the show was to be renewed for a third season.^[17] In June 2022, it was announced that the third season consisting of eight episodes would conclude the series. The final season premiered on August 26, 2022 and concluded on October 14, 2022.^[1][2]

Casting/preproduction

A July 2018 announcement revealed that Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard had been cast in series regular roles,^{[18][19][20][21]} followed by news that Yadira Guevara-Prip, Nesta Cooper, Sylvia Hoeks, and Archie Madekwe had joined the main cast a month later.^[22][23] On October 18, 2018, it was reported that Christian Camargo and Hera Hilmar had been cast in series regular roles.^[24]

Before filming began, the cast — which mostly consisted of sighted actors — underwent a month of rigorous "blindness training" with blindness coach Joe Strechay.^[25] (Strechay was promoted to a co-producer of the show in season 2.)^[26] The actors — sometimes wearing sleep shades — learning how to move sightlessly and to develop their other senses, including the rudimentary ability to echolocate.^[27][28][29] The goal was to also avoid the usual media clichés of blindness, such as characters constantly feeling each other's faces.^[30] The actors were also trained by movement director Paradox Pollack.^[29]

A few blind and low-sighted actors were cast in supporting roles, including Bree Klauser and Marilee Talkington, with the goal to increase that number in later seasons.^[31][14][28] Blind actor Adam Morse had a small role in season 2 as Frye, a Witchfinder serving under the character Toad.^[32]

Oliver Rae Aleron and Spencer Prewett from Archspire appear in a cameo in the first episode.^[33]

In January 2020, it was announced that Dave Bautista would be joining the series for season 2, playing the brother of Baba Voss.^[34][35] In February 2020, news followed that Adrian Paul would also be joining the cast, playing a character named Lord Harlan,^[36] though Tom Mison would end up taking that role. In October 2020, it was announced that Jason Momoa's former Stargate Atlantis castmate, Joe Flanigan, had been cast in the second season of the show in a recurring role.^[37] In June 2021, it was announced Eden Epstein, Tom Mison, Hoon Lee and Olivia Cheng had joined Bautista as new series regulars for the second season whilst David Hewlett and Tamara Tunie would guest star.^[38]

In June 2022, it was announced that David Hewlett, who guest starred in the second season, was promoted to series regular for the third and final season and was joined by new series regular Michael Raymond-James whilst Trieste Kelly Dunn would guest star.^[39]

Filming

Principal and major photography for the first season commenced on September 17, 2018, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and ended on February 8, 2019.^[40][41] In October 2018, filming was reported to be taking place in Coquitlam, Eagle Mountain, North Vancouver (water shed), Rutheford service road, Pemberton, Deroche, Delta at Boundary Bay, Mission, Squamish Valley, Youth Detention Center Burnaby, Allouette in Mapleridge and the Campbell River and Strathcona Provincial Park areas of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.^[42] Production costs for See rivaled that of HBO's Game of Thrones, though rumors that the budget for the first two seasons was $240 million, or $15 million per episode,^[30] were debunked by Lawrence.^[14]

Filming for the second season was expected to begin on February 3, 2020, and end on July 10, 2020.^[43] However, in March 2020, production was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[44] In September 2020, it was reported that See would resume filming on October 14, 2020, in Toronto.^[45] The second season finished filming on March 18, 2021.^[46]

Prior to the premiere of season two, the show was renewed for a third season with filming beginning in May and wrapping in November 2021.^[47][17][48]

Critical response

The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gave the first season a 44% approval rating based on 52 reviews, with an average rating of 5.30/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Though its capable cast is clearly game, an over-reliance on gore and a grimly—and at times comically—convoluted narrative blurs See's bold vision."^[50] On Metacritic the series has a weighted average score of 40 out of 100 based on reviews from 25 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".^[51]

In November 2019, Variety's Daniel D'Addario was critical of the show, saying it: "Wastes the time of Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard, among others, on a story that starts from a position of fun, giddy strangeness and drags itself forward at a lugubrious pace."^[52]

Ben Travers at IndieWire responded positively to the first season: "Steven Knight's action-drama is a strange-but-effective blend" and "the balance isn't quite there yet, as episodes don't exactly earn their hourlong run time. Momoa, meanwhile, fits the role well."^[53]

Rotten Tomatoes gave the second season an 83% approval rating based on 6 reviews, with an average rating of 7.10/10.^[54] Season 2 broke the viewership record for Apple TV, becoming the channel's most-watched drama series.^[55]

Collider, in reviewing the final season, wrote, "Season 3, which also serves as the conclusion of the show, continues this positive trajectory, arriving at an ending that offers plenty of well-staged action that also delves deeper into the characters nearing the end of their story."^[56]

Accolades