Summary
Billy the Kid season 2 expands on its cast of characters, both fictional and historical, to tell a captivating story set during the Lincoln County War.
Tom Blyth gives an outstanding breakthrough performance as the main character, Billy the Kid, depicting his journey from the ages of 15 to 21.
The MGM+ series effectively bridges the missing pieces of Billy the Kid's background by introducing captivating and believable characters, all while maintaining the authenticity of historical portrayals.
In season 2 of Billy the Kid, the talented cast from season 1 is further explored. While season 1 focused on Billy the Kid's early life and how he became a notorious outlaw in the Old West, season 2 delves into the Lincoln County War of 1878, where a more established William H. Bonney plays a significant role. The stage is set for an intense showdown between Billy and his old friend Jesse Evans, amidst the feud between John Tunstall, an Englishman, and Lawrence G. Murphy, an Irishman.
Season 2 introduces several new key characters, some of whom are fictional while others are based on real historical figures. The series successfully fills in some of the mysterious aspects of William H. Bonney's past, such as his relationship with his father and his early years before becoming a prominent criminal. While creating interesting and believable characters, the show also stays true to the historical portrayals of the real-life individuals.
Tom Blyth as William H. Bonney
Daniel Webber as Jesse Evans
Tom Blyth, a 27-year-old English actor, delivers an outstanding performance as the eponymous protagonist and notorious outlaw Billy the Kid. This remarkable role serves as Blyth's breakthrough, captivated in numerous scenes portraying the infamous character from the ages of 15 to 21. Notably, Blyth recently portrayed Archie Baldwin in an episode of the acclaimed HBO series, The Gilded Age. His noteworthy acting career commenced with the portrayal of Feral Child in the 2010 film Robin Hood, alongside Russell Crowe. Additionally, Blyth is eagerly anticipated to take on the role of Coriolanus Snow in the upcoming film The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
Playing the role of Jesse Evans, Daniel Webber brings to life the notorious outlaw and gunslinger from the Old West in Billy the Kid season 1. As the season progresses, Jesse and Billy forge a strong friendship, serving as allies in various undertakings. With Jesse's influence, Billy explores both legal and illegal job opportunities. However, the dynamics between the two characters shift in Billy the Kid season 2 when they find themselves on opposite sides of the battle for Lincoln County. Daniel Webber, known for his previous roles as Lewis Wilson in the Netflix series The Punisher and as Lee Harvey Oswald in 11.22.63, delivers a captivating performance in this historical drama.
Nuria Vega as Dulcinea Del Tobosco
Vincent Walsh as Lawrence G. Murphy
Nuria Vega takes on the role of Dulcinea Del Tobosco in Billy the Kid, portraying one of Billy's romantic interests. While there is no historical evidence of Billy the Kid having a lover with that specific name, Dulcinea Del Tobosco is actually a fictional character from the famous Spanish epic novel "Don Quixote" who symbolizes a highly desirable woman. Vega, a relatively new actress, currently has only six credits to her name, which include notable appearances in the Mexican television series Señorita 89 and No fue mi culpa: México. Billy the Kid serves as Vega's debut in American television acting.
Vincent Walsh, an Irish actor, portrays the formidable and frequently inebriated character Lawrence G. Murphy in the production Billy the Kid. Murphy's House is fiercely committed to seizing control of Lincoln County, New Mexico, in spite of the resistance exerted by John Tunstall, an Englishman. Walsh's extensive career encompasses over 50 films and television shows, such as Saving Private Ryan, 300: Rise of an Empire, and The Fall, wherein he shares the screen with Gillian Anderson.
Linus Roache as John Tunstall
The role of John Tunstall was reimagined for the first season, as Linus Roache took over for Canadian actor Benjamin Sutherland. Tunstall presents himself as someone aiming to gain control of Lincoln County in an ethical manner, a stance that convinces the morally ambiguous Billy after Murphy dispatched Jesse and his gang to ruthlessly eliminate numerous indigenous landowners towards the end of season 1. Roache has garnered recognition for his notable performances, including portraying David Wellington in the award-winning series Homeland, King Ecbert in the acclaimed show Vikings, and Thomas Wayne in Batman Begins.
Shaun Benson as John Riley
John Riley, portrayed by Shaun Benson, is a key character in Billy the Kid, serving as Lawrence G. Murphy's trusted companion and enforcer. Known for his provocative nature, Riley often resorts to violence as a direct means to achieve his goals. Benson boasts an impressive acting repertoire, having graced the screens in over 80 remarkable movies and television shows. Among his notable performances are Ezekiel in the widely adored superhero series The Boys, Crowbar in Gangland Undercover, and Alistair Simcoe in Slasher.
David Cubitt as Thomas Catron
David Cubbit stars as Thomas Catron, the wealthiest individual in Old West New Mexico and the leader of the Santa Fe Ring in Billy the Kid. Catron is a fictional representation based on the real-life character of the same name, who notably held the largest landownership in New Mexico at one point and later served as one of the earliest U.S. Senators from the state. Cubitt, known for his role as Calvin in the Netflix series Virgin River, brings his expertise as an accomplished actor to this portrayal. Some of his notable credits include Ray Donovan, Medium, Altered Carbon, and Ali.
Pepe Johnson as Tom O'Folliard
Pepe Johnson takes on the role of the iconic Tom O'Folliard, known as the closest companion of the infamous William H. Bonney. O'Folliard fought side by side with Billy the Kid and Charlie Bowdre as part of the Regulators during the Lincoln County War. In the film Billy the Kid, Pepe Johnson makes his highly anticipated debut as Tom O'Folliard, showcasing his talent as an actor. At present, he does not have any other noteworthy acting credits to his name.
Billy The Kid's Supporting Cast & Characters
Timothy Webber portrays the character Old Moss in Billy the Kid, a fictional individual who played a significant role in assisting the McCarty family's relocation from New York City to Kansas when Billy was just a young boy. In the first season of Billy the Kid, Old Moss is depicted as the person who taught Billy how to shoot a gun. Timothy Webber has an extensive acting career, with nearly 150 credits to his name, including notable appearances in DC's Legends of Tomorrow, Riverdale, See, and War for the Planet of the Apes.
Alex Roe takes on the role of Pat Garrett in Billy the Kid. Pat Garrett is a historical figure known for shooting and killing Billy the Kid. In the first season of Billy the Kid, Garrett is portrayed as a former outlaw who used to associate with Billy and Jesse Evans, prior to becoming the Sheriff of Lincoln County in 1880. Alex Roe, a renowned actor based in London, has also appeared in Hot Summer Nights alongside Timothée Chalamet and the TV series Siren.
Luke Camilleri plays the role of Alex McSween, the official lawyer of John Tunstall and a significant figure in the Lincon County War. You may recognize Luke Camilleri from his appearances in films like Swan Song and Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. He has also been featured in popular television series such as The Good Doctor, The Magicians, Arrow, and A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Horatio James portrays Charlie Bowdre, a member of the Regulators who fights alongside Billy and Tom O'Folliard during the Lincoln County War in Billy the Kid. This marks Horatio James' first notable onscreen acting performance.
Sean Owen Roberts portrays the role of Bob Olinger, a renowned law enforcement officer and hired gun who participated in multiple range conflicts, notably the Lincoln County War. With a wealth of acting experience, Roberts has left a mark in acclaimed television series such as The 100, The Killing, and Supernatural.
Eileen O'Higgins embodies the character of Kathleen McCarty, the mother of Henry McCarty, famously known as Billy the Kid. Kathleen's life was tragically cut short by tuberculosis when Henry was just fifteen, leaving him orphaned. O'Higgins has showcased her talents in remarkable films like Mary Queen of Scots, Brooklyn, Dead Still, and The Irregulars.
Jonah Collier takes on the role of Young Billy in season 1 of Billy the Kid. In this portrayal, Collier delves into Billy's past and the complex dynamics of his family before he gained infamy as an outlaw. Hailing from London, Collier is also known for his appearances in the crime drama series Deceit.
Zak Santiago embodies the character of Saturnino Baca, an influential figure in the history of Old West New Mexico, often referred to as the Father of Lincoln County. With over 150 acting credits to his name, Santiago has made a mark in various productions including Peacemaker, The X-Files, The 100, Hell on Wheels, and Virgin River.
Brendan Fletcher portrays Geroge Coe, a historic figure from the Old West who took part in the Lincoln County War alongside Billy the Kid and the Regulators. Fletcher has been recognized for his roles in The Revenant, Violent Night, The Last of Us, Bates Motel, and The Killing.
Chad Rook plays Jim Dolan, who served as Lawrence Murphy's right-hand man and worked alongside John Riley during the Lincoln County War. Rook has an impressive acting resume which includes notable appearances in Joe Pickett, Timeless, Siren, The 100, and Supernatural.