Netflix has announced three new additions to the voice cast of Blue Eye Samurai season 2. During the IGN Fan Fest: Fall Edition event, the platform revealed that Jonathan Pryce, Joel Kim Booster, and Sherry Cola are joining Mizu's quest for revenge, accompanying the announcement with the first images of their characters.
The announcement comes just two months after Netflix confirmed, during Anime NYC, a release window of January 2027 for the second season. At that same event, the platform renewed the series for a third season scheduled for 2028. The IGN segment reiterated both dates and noted that season 3 will be the final installment of the series, thus closing the three-season arc originally planned by Michael Green and Amber Noizumi.
Jonathan Pryce plays Old Violet
Of the three new signings, Jonathan Pryce's is the most intriguing for fans of the first season. Violet is one of the four white men Mizu swore to hunt down, and it had previously been implied that he had already been eliminated. His appearance in season 2 opens up several narrative possibilities.
The most plausible explanation points to flashbacks of Mizu's encounter with this character, although Amber Noizumi hinted last year, during the Annecy festival, that some characters believed to be dead might still be alive.
The character image shows an aged Old Violet, with disheveled gray hair, dressed in dark religious-style robes and a cross necklace. His expression is surprisingly warm, although the bloodstains on his face suggest that this calm does not last long.
Jonathan Pryce is no stranger to Netflix: he was nominated for an Oscar for his role in The Two Popes and played Prince Philip in the final two seasons of The Crown.
Joel Kim Booster plays Priest Ando
Joel Kim Booster, known for Fire Island and Loot, voices Priest Ando. The first look shows him as a stern Shinto priest, wearing a tall black eboshi hat and patterned white ceremonial robes, suggesting that much of season 2 will continue to take place in Japan despite Mizu's journey to London.
Sherry Cola voices Kuma
Sherry Cola, recognized for Shortcomings and Joy Ride, plays Kuma, a young Japanese woman who appears dressed in a green kimono with her hair tied back. Her illustration shows a serious expression and what appear to be bloodstains on her left shoulder, next to another woman in similar attire. It is still unknown if the character has any connection to Akemi's plot at Edo Castle.
Other confirmed additions for season 2
These three names join a list of new signings that have been revealed over the last year. In 2025, the addition of Freddie Fox as a character named Poet was confirmed, along with the return of Alan Taylor to the directing team. Shortly before, it had been confirmed that Eve Ridley, known for 3 Body Problem, would voice the character of Sarah.
They all join a returning main cast consisting of:
Maya Erskine as Mizu, Kenneth Branagh as Abijah Fowler, Brenda Song as Akemi, Darren Barnet as Taigen, Masi Oka as Ringo, George Takei as Seki, Randall Park as Heiji Shindo, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as The Swordmaker.
What did IGN show about season 2?
Despite expectations, the IGN segment did not include new footage from season 2. Instead, scenes already known from the first season were shown: Mizu contemplating a snowy village at dawn, her one-handed handstand in front of the sun, and the assault on Fowler's fortress in the penultimate episode. The only novelties presented were the illustrations of the new characters.
Those looking for actual footage of the new season can check out the material shown by Netflix at Annecy 2026 and the Anime NYC teaser, which shows Mizu transporting her captive Fowler across the sea to the smog-filled streets of 17th-century London.
Frequently asked questions about Blue Eye Samurai season 2
When does Blue Eye Samurai season 2 premiere on Netflix?
Netflix confirmed a release window for January 2027, although an exact date has not yet been announced.
Who are the new voice actors confirmed for season 2?
Jonathan Pryce, Joel Kim Booster, and Sherry Cola have joined the cast, playing Old Violet, Priest Ando, and Kuma, respectively. Previously, Freddie Fox as Poet and Eve Ridley as Sarah had also been confirmed.
Who is returning from the original Blue Eye Samurai cast?
Among the confirmed returning names are Maya Erskine as Mizu, Kenneth Branagh as Abijah Fowler, Brenda Song as Akemi, Darren Barnet as Taigen, Masi Oka as Ringo, George Takei as Seki, Randall Park as Heiji Shindo, and Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as The Swordmaker.
Will there be a third season of Blue Eye Samurai?
Yes, Netflix has already renewed the series for a season 3, scheduled for 2028, which has been described as the final installment of the story created by Michael Green and Amber Noizumi.
Was new material from season 2 shown at IGN Fan Fest?
No. The IGN segment reused scenes from the first season and only presented the illustrations of the new characters played by Jonathan Pryce, Joel Kim Booster, and Sherry Cola as new information.
