A Star Transforms in a Stunning New Season

When Sirens premiered on Netflix on May 22, 2025, it captivated audiences with its darkly comedic exploration of wealth, power, and sisterhood, earning a 77% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and a No. 1 spot on Netflix’s Top 10 Shows list with 16.7 million views in its first four days. At the heart of the series was Milly Alcock’s electrifying performance as Simone DeWitt, a young woman entangled in the seductive world of billionaire socialite Michaela “Kiki” Kell (Julianne Moore). The show’s first season, a five-episode adaptation of Molly Smith Metzler’s play Elemeno Pea, ended with a jaw-dropping twist that saw Simone betray her mentor and take her place as the new “Mrs. Kell” alongside billionaire Peter Kell (Kevin Bacon). Now, with the announcement of Sirens Season 2, set to premiere on September 10, 2026, fans are reeling from Alcock’s dramatic transformation—both in character and appearance—as Simone steps into a bold new role that promises to redefine the series.

The news, first teased by Alcock in a June 2026 interview with The Wrap and confirmed by Netflix via a trailer drop on August 15, 2026, has sparked a frenzy on social media. Fans are stunned by Alcock’s evolution from a bubbly assistant to a commanding figure in high society, with her platinum blonde hair, icy blue gowns, and newfound ruthlessness drawing comparisons to her breakout role as young Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon. “Milly Alcock’s transformation in Sirens S2 is unreal—she’s gone from pawn to queen!” one X user posted, echoing the sentiment that Simone’s new arc could make Sirens Netflix’s next cultural juggernaut. This article delves into Alcock’s metamorphosis, the shocking developments of Season 2, and why Simone’s new role changes everything for fans and the show’s legacy.

From Assistant to Aristocrat: Simone’s Evolution

In Sirens Season 1, Milly Alcock portrayed Simone DeWitt as a sharp, ambitious 25-year-old from Buffalo, New York, who lands a dream job as Michaela Kell’s personal assistant. Beneath her bubbly exterior, Simone’s traumatic past—marked by her mother’s suicide, an absent father, and time in foster care—drove her to seek security in the Kells’ opulent world. Her relationship with Michaela, described by IMDb as “part mentor, part predator,” was the series’ emotional core, with Simone’s loyalty tested by her sister Devon’s (Meghann Fahy) attempts to pull her back to reality. The season’s shocking finale saw Simone, after being fired by Michaela for kissing Peter, seize control by aligning with him, appearing at the Kells’ gala in a custom gown as the new lady of Cliff House.

Season 2, as teased by Cosmopolitan and Town & Country, takes Simone’s arc to new heights. Now firmly entrenched as Peter’s partner, Simone is no longer the wide-eyed assistant but a calculating figure navigating high society. Alcock’s physical transformation is striking: gone is the bright pink wardrobe of Season 1, replaced by sleek, tailored outfits in icy blues and silvers, designed by costume designer Caroline Duncan to reflect Simone’s ascent. “She’s not just dressing the part; she’s embodying power,” Duncan told People in June 2026. Alcock’s platinum blonde hair, a nod to her House of the Dragon role, enhances the regal aura, with Marie Claire noting, “Milly’s new look screams Rhaenyra-level dominance.”

The narrative shift is equally dramatic. The Wrap reports that Season 2, comprising six episodes, explores Simone’s struggle to maintain her new status while grappling with guilt over betraying Michaela and alienating Devon. A teaser trailer shows Simone orchestrating a charity gala, clashing with Michaela’s allies, and hinting at a pregnancy plotline, aligning with Alcock’s comments to The Wrap: “Simone’s clever enough to stay in high society. She’ll start a family with Peter and manage his estate.” This evolution—from a vulnerable assistant to a strategic matriarch—has fans buzzing, with X posts like, “Simone’s running the show now! Milly Alcock is a queen!” and “This is giving Succession vibes with more heart.”

Milly Alcock’s Star-Making Performance

Milly Alcock, a 26-year-old Australian actress, has cemented her status as a rising star with Sirens. Her breakout role as young Rhaenyra Targaryen in House of the Dragon (2022) showcased her ability to portray fierce, complex women, but Sirens allowed her to flex new muscles. Men’s Health praised her Season 1 performance, noting, “Alcock makes Simone look as easy as a summer cocktail, cycling through emotions and personalities with ease.” Her ability to balance charm, vulnerability, and cunning made Simone the series’ emotional anchor, earning comparisons to Julianne Moore’s commanding Michaela.

In Season 2, Alcock’s transformation is both physical and emotional. She told Town & Country in May 2026, “Simone is so different from me and anyone I’ve played. In Season 2, she’s wrestling with power and guilt, trying to stay afloat in a world that’s not hers.” A pivotal scene, described by Marie Claire, sees Simone confront Michaela in a tense showdown, with Alcock’s “steely gaze and measured delivery” stealing the scene. Her preparation included studying high-society dynamics, drawing inspiration from figures like Anna Wintour to capture Simone’s newfound authority.

Alcock’s versatility is evident in her ability to shift from Rhaenyra’s regal defiance to Simone’s layered insecurity. Soap Central highlighted a Season 2 panic attack scene, where Simone’s facade crumbles, revealing the “sad, lost little girl” Alcock described: “My body reacted strangely filming that—I couldn’t eat, I was crying all the time. It was cathartic.” This raw vulnerability, paired with her commanding presence, has fans and critics alike predicting Emmy buzz, with Collider calling her “the surprise standout of Sirens.”

Season 2’s Game-Changing Narrative

Sirens Season 2, set to premiere on September 10, 2026, builds on the first season’s foundation while pushing boundaries. Netflix Tudum teases a deeper exploration of Simone’s psyche, as she navigates her role as Peter’s partner while facing challenges from Michaela’s loyalists, played by new cast members like Emily Borromeo (Astrid) and Britne Oldford (Missy). The season introduces a pregnancy arc, with Alcock hinting to The Wrap that “Simone will get pregnant, ensuring her place with Peter.” This plotline, combined with her rift with Devon, adds emotional stakes, with Town & Country noting, “It’s heartbreaking—no one’s the bad guy, just people born into bad circumstances.”

The show’s creator, Molly Smith Metzler, has embraced the fan-driven demand for a second season, originally intended as a limited series. “The characters became real to me,” Metzler told Glamour in June 2026. “Season 2 lets us see Simone evolve into someone we don’t fully recognize.” The narrative shifts from class warfare to personal transformation, with IMDb describing it as “a surgical examination of how power reshapes identity.” New subplots, including Devon’s struggle to rebuild her life and Michaela’s quest for revenge, promise a “tonal tightrope” of dark comedy and psychological drama, per The Hollywood Reporter.

Costume design plays a pivotal role in Season 2’s storytelling. Caroline Duncan told People that Simone’s gala dress, an icy blue satin gown, was crafted to “echo the sky and clouds,” symbolizing her integration into high society. “She’s no longer ornamental—she’s the main character,” Duncan said, highlighting Simone’s shift from blending in to standing out. This visual transformation, paired with Alcock’s performance, amplifies the season’s impact.

Fan Reactions and Cultural Impact

The announcement of Season 2 and Alcock’s transformation has sent fans into a frenzy. X posts reflect the excitement, with users writing, “Milly Alcock as Simone in Sirens S2 is giving Cersei Lannister energy!” and “From assistant to boss—this is the glow-up we didn’t see coming.” Reddit threads speculate on Simone’s arc, with fans debating whether she’ll become a villain or redeem herself. The trailer, viewed 10 million times, fueled the hype, with a scene of Simone staring out at the ocean in her gala dress prompting comments like, “Milly’s serving looks and drama!”

Sirens’ cultural impact lies in its exploration of class, power, and female agency. Alcock’s Simone, described by Cosmopolitan as “chronically performing,” challenges stereotypes of ambition, particularly for women from troubled backgrounds. Marie Claire notes that her transformation “mirrors real-world struggles with identity and power,” resonating with viewers navigating their own reinventions. The show’s 77% Rotten Tomatoes score and 66/100 Metacritic rating reflect its critical success, with The AV Club praising its “sharp social satire.”

Why Simone’s Role Changes Everything

Simone’s new role in Season 2 redefines Sirens’ narrative trajectory. Where Season 1 was a contained story of betrayal, Season 2 expands the scope, positioning Simone as a power player in a world she once served. Hollywood Reporter calls it “a seismic shift,” with Alcock’s performance anchoring the season’s ambition. Her transformation—from a traumatized assistant to a figure of authority—challenges viewers to question loyalty, ambition, and morality. As Town & Country notes, “Simone’s not a villain, but she’s hard to root for,” creating a complex protagonist who defies easy categorization.

This shift also elevates Alcock’s career. With Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow set for 2026, she’s poised to dominate both TV and film. Collider predicts, “Sirens S2 will solidify Milly Alcock as a generational talent.” Her ability to embody Simone’s duality—vulnerable yet ruthless—parallels her Rhaenyra, but with a modern edge that resonates with younger audiences.

A Record-Breaking Moment?

The September 10, 2026, premiere could make Sirens a streaming juggernaut. Season 1’s 16.7 million views in four days, per Tom’s Guide, set a high bar, but Season 2’s expanded cast and bolder narrative could push it further. ScreenRant suggests it might rival Virgin River’s 2.6 billion hours viewed, especially with Alcock’s star power. Netflix’s investment, including a global promotional campaign, signals confidence, with Variety noting that Sirens could “redefine the dark comedy genre.”

Fans are racing to rewatch Season 1 on Netflix, with What’s on Netflix reporting a viewership spike. The show’s availability on platforms like Hulu and Amazon Prime ensures accessibility, but Netflix’s global reach makes it the epicenter of the Sirens phenomenon. As anticipation builds, Sirens Season 2 and Milly Alcock’s transformation promise to change everything—proving that sometimes, the biggest shocks come from the smallest towns.