Paul Sparks to replace Garrett Hedlund as the bully of Castle Rock Season 2

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

A new face is coming to CASTLE ROCK as the Stephen King-inspired series is preparing to replace previously-announced star Garrett Hedlund with Paul Sparks to star opposite Lizzy Caplan for Hulu's second season of the bone-chilling series. Upon arriving in the sleepy township of Castle Rock, Maine, Sparks will star as John "Ace" Merrill, the cursed suburb's legendary bully.

Deadline, who exclusively broke the news about the casting change, says that the move to recast was born from a creative decision related to the character of Ace, who is taking over his uncle Pop’s (Tim Robbins) businesses and threatening a fragile peace with nearby Jerusalem’s Lot. Before recasting, Hedlund had already filmed a series of scenes, which are now scheduled to be reshot.

When CASTLE ROCK returns, the story will center on a feud between warring clans that comes to a boil when budding psychopath Annie Wilkes (Lizzy Caplan), Stephen King’s nurse from hell, gets waylaid in Castle Rock. Tim Robbins, Yusra Warsama, Barkhad Abdi, Elsie Fisher and Matthew Alan are also set to star.

In fact, here's a quick character breakdown for several of the new and familiar faces you'll meet throughout the show's sophomore season:

Fisher will star as Joy, Annie’s home-schooled teenage daughter who is starting to question her mother's sanity.

Warsam will arrive as Dr. Nadia Omar, the Harvard-trained Somali medical director of a rural hospital in Jerusalem’s Lot. Throughout the ordeals of the nest season, Dr. Omar’s rational and scientific mind will be put to the test.

Next, Abdi will portray Abdi Omarm, the tough, older brother of Nadia. As per the show's description, Abdi leads the charge to build a Somali community center that will deepen the roots of his people in Maine.

Lastly, Alan will star as Chris Merrill, Pop’s nephew and Ace’s brother. During the show's events, Chris struggles to keep peace between the Merrills and the Somali community.

Sam Shaw and Dustin Thomason developed the show for Hulu and will serve as executive producers along with J.J. Abrams, Ben Stephenson, Dustin Thomason, Vince Calandra, Sam Shaw, Stephen King and Liz Glotzer.

Personally, CASTLE ROCK is one of my favorite shows of recent years, and I can't wait to see what the team has cooked up for Season 2. Even the thought of Lizzy Caplan starring as the disturbed and obsessive Annie Wilkes has me on edge. Hopefully we can expect to hear more details related to the show's exciting return sooner rather than later.