Kaley Cuoco’s critically acclaimed The Flight Attendant soars into Season 2

Fans of The Flight Attendant, starring Kaley Cuoco as a party-hard first-class cabin crew member, are in for the trip of a lifetime in season two.

The first season of critically acclaimed The Flight Attendant followed Cassie Bowden (Kaley Cuoco) whose party-hard ways as a first-class cabin crew member land her in hot water when she wakes up next to a murdered man after a night on the town in Bangkok.

Season two offers viewers the trip of a lifetime.

Cassie is determined to beat her problem with booze. Now living in a picturesque Los Angeles bungalow, she navigates the flight deck and the drinks trolley while moonlighting as a CIA asset – in-between attending AA meetings and trying to keep her personal relationships afloat.

Cassie Bowden (Kaley Cuoco) from a scene in The Flight Attendant season 2. Picture: BINGE

Almost immediately Cassie is caught in another web of international espionage, jetting from Berlin to Reykjavik and leaving her bewildered new boyfriend (Santiago Cabrera) and her best friends Ani and Max (Zosia Mamet and Deniz Akdeniz) in the lurch.

Not only must Cassie try to solve a new murder, she must battle multiple Machiavellian versions of herself in a Cassie themed multiverse the showrunners call the “Mind Palace” – a plush bar where an evil gold dress-wearing Cassie is forever mixing ginormous cocktails, egged on by malevolent Cassie doppelgangers. Playing multiple versions of Cassie was a “rude awakening”, The Big Bang Theory star reveals – but in a good way.

In season 2 Cassie is caught in another web of international espionage. Picture: BINGE

The Flight Attendant was a breakthrough success in its first season, charming audiences and critics with Cuoco’s wide-eyed, manic pixie personality and its addictive mix of mystery and black comedy.

Made during the coronavirus pandemic, the series tapped into the anxieties around travel and substance use, and balanced high-flying international intrigue with closer to home issues such as family, friendship, loyalty, mental health, addiction and recovery.

The show is a rollercoaster ride and Cuoco was not exempt in real life. Four days before finishing filming she tested positive for Covid – a low point. But filming in picturesque Iceland was a high: “magical, gorgeous (and) life-changing,” says Cuoco.

The Flight Attendant has been a hit thanks to Cuoco’s wide-eyed, manic-pixie on-screen personality and the show’s addictive mix of mystery and black comedy. Picture: BINGE

Initially, the Emmy-winner had baulked at a second season.

“I thought, how can you make it better than (season one),” she says.

Now, she feels season two is “100 times bigger” when it comes to locations and guest stars, who include comedian Margaret Cho and Basic Instinct star Sharon Stone as Cassie’s estranged mum.

But while Cuoco may have learned how to use an emergency exit in her role as a flight attendant, she’s not bailing on this show.

“You know, this has been my baby since the beginning, and so I go down with the show,” says the actor, who strongly believed Chris Bohjalian’s best-selling novel The Flight Attendant would be the perfect small screen vehicle for her.

Cuoco says season 2 is “100 times bigger” when it comes to locations and guest stars. Picture: BINGE

Cuoco is mainly known for comedy so the dramatic suspense – along with shouldering the responsibility as an executive producer – was a new challenge.

“I think it’s brave and a risk to go again after things went so well (in season one),” she says.

Nevertheless, finding the right tone was like “walking a tightrope”.

“There were times where I’d be like, ‘OK, I’m going to do this like super funny and Lucille Ball’. And then the next take I’m like, ‘You know what? I’m going to cry my eyes out’.”

Most importantly, Cuoco wanted Cassie’s story to be told “authentically”.

“We are a comedic show, but there are some very unfunny parts about this. And as a producer, I wanted to make sure I showed that in the best light.

“It didn’t feel put on. It didn’t feel fake. I wanted people to be able to relate to this girl. This is just a struggling girl.

“And season two, she’s saying she’s sober and she’s got this whole new life and everything is great. And you know, she’s really lying to everyone around her and herself.”

Cuoco says there is plenty of serious moments among the comedic nature of the show. Picture: BINGE

Unlike her out-of-control character, Cuoco, 36, is in the pilot’s seat.

“I love producing. I will never not have my handprint on anything that I do in the future. I think it is so important that we have a voice in what we’re showing the world.”

If you thought season one was a joy ride, grab your carry-on and join season two.

“It’s a fun experience. I just wanted it to be like last season, but as good as we could do it – if not better. And I think that we did that.”

The Flight Attendant, season 2, premieres on BINGE with a double episode on Thursday