Viewers are “hooked” on the hit sci-fi drama, Paradise, which returned with its highly anticipated second season this week.

The Emmy-nominated series, which has been hailed as a “masterpiece’ by viewers, stars Sterling K. Brown as the widowed Secret Service agent Xavier Collins, who investigates the assassination of the re-elected president Cal Bradford (James Marsden), three years after a doomsday event.

Sterling K Brown in Paradise season 2© Disney+
Sterling K. Brown stars in the hit sci-fi series

In season two, Xavier discovers how people in the world have survived since The Day, while searching for his missing wife Teri.

The show not only boasts a seriously stacked cast, which also includes Julianne Nicholson, but it comes from This Is Us creator Dan Fogelman, known for crafting emotional, character-driven stories.

WATCH: The teaser trailer for Paradise season 2

Keep reading to find out more…

What are viewers and critics saying about season 2?

Taking to social media, viewers hailed the first three episodes as “excellent,” with many binge-watching all three in one go.

One person penned: “Two episodes in and Paradise has me hooked again,” while another added: “Already binged Paradise and I need more!”

Julianne Nicholson in Paradise© Disney
Julianne Nicholson plays Samantha ‘Sinatra’ Redmond

A third viewer penned: “Excellent start to season 2 of #Paradise,” while another praised the performance of season two newcomer Shailene Woodley (Big Little Lies, Divergent), writing: “I’m so happy Paradise is back. I was a huge fan of season 1 and so far season 2 is excellent. I always forget how stellar of an actor Shailene Woodley is. She’s INCREDIBLE in the season 2 premiere. Very excited to see where it all goes.”

What is Paradise about?

Season one saw Xavier Collins thrust into a conspiracy after he was framed for the president’s murder. After leading a rebellion against self-made billionaire Samantha ‘Sinatra’ Redmond (Julianne Nicholson), Xavier ultimately escapes the underground bunker in a plane.

SHAILENE WOODLEY in Paradise© Disney/Gilles Mingasson
Shailene Woodley plays Annie

The second season opens with a new character, Annie (Shailene Woodley), a bright young woman who was working at Graceland when The Day happened and has spent the last three years hiding out in Elvis Presley’s home-turned-museum.

Meanwhile, Xavier searches for his wife Teri and learns how people have survived out in the world since The Day.

The synopsis continues: “Back in Paradise, the social fabric frays as the bunker deals with the aftermath of Season 1, and new secrets are uncovered about the city’s origins.”

What have critics said about season 2?

The series has been met with mixed reviews from TV critics. While The Times said the “tension ratchets to new levels” in its four-star review, Time magazine described the three-episode premiere as “utterly predictable,” and The Hollywood Reporter wrote that the show “gets bigger but not better”.

woman and man in house© Disney/Ser Baffo
New episodes will be released weekly

How to watch Paradise

Paradise season 2 premiered on Monday 23 February with its first three episodes on Disney+ in the UK and on Hulu in the US. New episodes will air weekly until the final eighth episode on 30 March.