'Wayward Pines' season 2 release date, cast news: Terrence Howard, Carla Gugino and more cast members set to return

Charlie Tahan and Terrence Howard are among the stars returning in "Wayward Pines" season 2 Facebook/Wayward Pines/FOX

Several well-known Wayward Pines townsfolk are returning for "Wayward Pines" season 2. FOX has confirmed that the post-apocalyptic drama's continuation will see the return of various cast members from the first season.

"Empire" star Terrence Howard is reprising his role as the ice cream-loving, violence-inclined sheriff Arnold Pope in the second season of the series. It was also announced that Carla Gugino and Melissa Leo will be back as Kate and Nurse Pam, respectively, in the new season.

Day 1. @waywardpines

A photo posted by Carla Gugino (@carlagugino) on

Toby Jones, who plays the role of David Pilcher, the creator of the deadly little town, will also be back in "Wayward Pines" season 2, along with Tim Griffin who plays Adam Hassler as well as Shannyn Sossamon and Charlie Tahan who play mother and son Theresa and Ben Burke.

It looks like Matt Dillon's Ethan Burke is the only one missing. It's difficult to bring the character back since he died a heroic death in the season finale of the show's successful freshman run. Fans, however, will get to see more of Jason Higgins played by Tom Stevens.

Jason served as the leader of the First Generation who worked to bring back the legacy of their hero David Pilcher in Wayward Pines. In the previous season, Jason and the others managed to undo all the things that Ethan and the residents managed to do.

It looks like his reign of terror will continue in "Wayward Pines" season 2. This time, however, he will be dealing with leader-material Dr. Theo Yedlin, who awakes in Wayward Pines in the middle of a rebellion. "Narc" actor Jason Patric will play the role.

"Homeland" star Nimrat Kaur will play the role of Theo's secretive wife Rebecca, while Josh Helman from "Mad Max: Fury Road" will portray Xander, who is "working to undermine Wayward Pines from within." Kacey Rohl from "Hannibal" will be one of Jason's lieutenants, Kerry.

Another newcomer is "Blue Diamond" star Djimon Hounsou who will play the role of CJ Mitchum, a Wayward Pines historian and an original resident of the town who has broad knowledge about the place as well as the world before it came to be.

"Wayward Pines" season 2 will continue the events in the first season, and it looks like the town is on the verge of civil war. The show returns on FOX on May 25 at 9 p.m. ET.

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