If you haven't caught up on HBO's Barry, one of the best TV gems of 2018, you still have time before Season 2 premieres. The series is created by and stars Bill Hader as a cold-blooded killer-for-hire who unexpectedly begins to explore his humanity thanks to an acting class. His connection there makes him start to question his murder-soaked life, although it's not something he can get out of, yet. And for what it's worth, change is certainly a process with Barry -- at the end of Season 1, he kills someone to protect the happiness he has created for himself by pretending his other life doesn't exist.

The first full trailer for the new season gives us a sense of that dark tone, but also some much-needed lightness (mostly from Anthony Carrigan's NoHo Hank). Barry takes wild swings between hilarity and brutality, but (so far) always ends up with the right balance.

We don’t know much about the specifics of Season 2 yet, except the directors, which were revealed back in August: “For Season 2, Hader and Alec Berg will each direct two episodes, while acclaimed Atlanta director Hiro Murai—who directed two Season 1 episodes—is also returning to helm two episodes of Season 2. Rounding out the list are two Barry newcomers each helming one episode: Liza Johnson (Elvis & Nixon) and Minkie Spiro (Downton AbbeyCall the Midwife).” But the trailer also reveals the search for Janice (Paula Newsome), who is missing, and the reaction Gene (Harry Winkler) has to it (mostly by using the acting class as therapy). Barry meanwhile is working in an athletic shop, trying to keep his lives separate, but as Gene jovially notes: “Barry there is an inherent darkness within you, I had the same instinct with Charlie Manson.”

Barry ranked as one of my picks for the Best TV Shows of 2018, and if you’re caught up or just starting, you’ll want to make sure you catch Adam Chitwood’s exclusive interviews with Hader on Episode 5Episode 6Episode 7, and a deep-dive into that finale.

Barry also stars Stephen Root and Sarah Goldberg. Check out the Season 2 trailer below; Barry returns March 31st to HBO.

Here's the official synopsis for Barry:

This dark comedy stars Emmy® winner Bill Hader as a depressed, low-rent hitman from the Midwest. Lonely and dissatisfied in his life, he reluctantly travels to Los Angeles to execute a hit on an aspiring actor. Barry follows his “mark” into an acting class and ends up finding an accepting community in a group of eager hopefuls within the LA theater scene. Barry wants to start a new life as an actor but his criminal past won’t let him walk away – can he find a way to balance both worlds? Season one credits: Stephen Root, Sarah Goldberg, Glenn Fleshler, Anthony Carrigan and Emmy® winner Henry Winkler also star. The series was created, executive produced and written by Bill Hader and Alec Berg. The second season begins March 31.

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Image via HBO
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Image via HBO
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Image via HBO