See (TV series)

Did You Know?

• The plot takes place in what was Western Pennsylvania, with locations like Kanzua based on the Kinzua Dam.
• Blind actor Adam Morse had a small role in season 2 as Frye, a Witchfinder serving under Toad.
• Oliver Rae Aleron and Spencer Prewett from Archspire appear in a cameo in the first episode.

Premise

In the 21st century, a virus wiped out most of humanity, leaving fewer than two million survivors whose descendants have all lost their sense of sight. Several centuries later, society has adapted to life without vision, operating at a lower economic level with tribal hunter-gatherer and medieval-type societies. Knowledge of the old world has become distorted; materials like metal and plastic are believed to have been created by gods, and the concept of sight is considered heresy. The action takes place in an area contested by the Payan Kingdom and the Trivantian Republic. A pregnant woman named Maghra seeks shelter with the Alkenny tribe, whose chief, Baba Voss, marries her and adopts her children. Their biological father, Jerlamarel, is wanted by the Queen of the Payan Kingdom for being sighted. Baba Voss must protect his family and tribe from the Queen's army.

Cast and characters

Jason Momoa plays Baba Voss, a fearless warrior and leader of the Alkenny Tribe who prioritizes the safety of his family and tribe. Sylvia Hoeks portrays Queen Sibeth Kane, the ruthless ruler of the Payan Kingdom who murders those who spread heresy about sight. Hera Hilmar plays Maghra Kane, Sibeth's younger sister who marries Baba Voss and is fiercely protective of her family. Christian Camargo is Tamacti Jun, the royal tax collector and Witchfinder General tasked with finding sighted individuals.

Archie Madekwe plays Kofun, the composed and careful son of Baba Voss and Maghra who has the ability to see. Nesta Cooper plays Haniwa, the proud and determined daughter who also has sight and is more rebellious than her twin brother. Yadira Guevara-Prip plays Bow Lion, a fierce ally with the rare ability to move undetected. Alfre Woodard plays Paris, a wise elder and shaman of the Alkenny Tribe.

Eden Epstein plays Wren, a lieutenant in the Trivantian army who can see. Olivia Cheng plays Charlotte, a warrior from The Compass tribe. Hoon Lee plays Toad, a Witchfinder soldier who believes sight is evil.

Production

Apple gave the production a series order for an eight-episode season on January 10, 2018. The series was written by Steven Knight and directed by Francis Lawrence, who executive produced alongside Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, and Kristen Campo. Production companies included Chernin Entertainment and Endeavor Content. The creative team worked with blindness consultants, an evolutionary biologist, and a survivalist on worldbuilding.

A second season was ordered on November 7, 2019, and a third season was announced in June 2021, which concluded the series. Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard were cast in July 2018, with additional cast members announced later. Before filming, the sighted cast underwent a month of blindness training with coach Joe Strechay, learning to move sightlessly and develop other senses, including rudimentary echolocation. A few blind and low-sighted actors were cast in supporting roles, with the goal to increase that number in later seasons.

Reception

Rotten Tomatoes gave the first season a 44% approval rating based on 52 reviews, with an average rating of 5.30/10, and the critical consensus noted an over-reliance on gore and a convoluted narrative. Metacritic gave a weighted average score of 40 out of 100, indicating generally unfavorable reviews. Variety's Daniel D'Addario was critical, while Ben Travers at IndieWire responded positively, calling it a strange-but-effective blend. The second season received an 83% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 6 reviews, with an average rating of 7.10/10, and broke the viewership record for Apple TV, becoming its most-watched drama series. Collider wrote that the final season continued a positive trajectory and offered well-staged action with deeper character exploration.