Why does Cortana look different in Halo season 2? (2024)

However, in season 2 (which has had mixed reviews so far), she has a completely new look which, so far, hasn't been addressed in the show.

Here's everything we know about why Cortana's appearance is different in season 2!

Why does Cortana look different in Halo season 2?

Cortana's new look is down to there being a new showrunner in charge of Halo's second season - David Wiener.

More like this

Pablo Schreiber weighed in, telling RadioTimes.com: "That does occur in the games. The difference in appearance I would also attribute to a new showrunner, a new vision for the look."

However, Cortana's appearance changing has also happened in the games – so it's certainly not unprecedented for the franchise.

Speaking about how their story continues in season 2, Schreiber added to RadioTimes.com: "When we start the second season, she has been taken away and now he's wrestling with all the feelings of like, 'Well, wait a second. I didn't really like this when it was done to me. But wow, it sure feels different now that she's gone.'

"So he's wrestling with the impact of that, of not having his second half, almost. To take the metaphor further, when you find someone who's perfect for you, and they sort of complete you, what you're capable of doing is vastly improved. And I think he certainly found that in the first season.

"So, in the second season, there's a journey back to each other, he has to find his way back to her. And I think when they do find each other again, the nature of the relationship will be quite different than it was in the first season."

Fans could expect even more differences to come, too, with executive producer Kiki Wolfkill promising a very different tone.

"I think you'll feel a real tonal shift with season 2, not just because of the stakes that David is talking about, but also in the look and the feel," she told RadioTimes.com.

"One thing David brought was this push for a very grounded and very subjective perspective, and I think what was really important was that, rather than seeing all of these events unfolding, that we really feel them in a different way.

"And so, regardless of how the story is progressing in season 2, I think also you'll just feel a really tangible difference in the tone, in the voice of the show, while still kind of keeping those Halo core pillars front and centre."

Some fans weren't too impressed with the look and feel of season 1, so, for some, this is sure to be a good thing. However, only time will tell as to how it plays out.

Who plays Cortana in Halo season 2?

Cortana is still voiced by Jen Taylor in season 2, the voice actress who voiced her in the games.

Fans might also recognise Taylor's voice from Cortana, the Microsoft productivity assistant. She's known for voicing various characters in the Mario franchise, too, including Princess Peach and Toad, from 1999 to 2007.

Taylor previously told Decider of the show's incarnation of Cortana: "She’s a little different than the Cortana we know. She’s in a different part of the story, and she’s in a different part of her journey individually.

"So it’s going to be a little different, but it’s also going to be familiar. It’s going to be, hopefully, exciting and different for new fans and old fans alike, but there is going to be some of that comfort for people who are looking for, you know, harkening back to the game."

How is Cortana different in the series?

Cortana plays a different role in the show compared to the games. In the series, she's created as a way to control the Spartans, although by the end of season 1, she turns away from Halsey in favour of helping John.

In the games, she has a wider purpose - defending humanity against the Covenant threat.

Schreiber told us: "It's interesting because, in the spirit of wanting long form TV shows, wanting to have places to go, the relationship in the video games is somewhat constant. [John is] you and [Cortana is] the tour guide through the game, basically.

"And so those roles, they change, and there's growth in the relationship for sure, through the video games, but they stay somewhat similar through most of it, and for TV, you kind of want to start somewhere and go somewhere different.

"So, the choice in the first season was to start in a place where they were, you know, he was not happy to have her along for the ride. But by the end of the first season, he could see her value, for sure."

Halo season 2 is available to stream now on Paramount Plus. Check out more of our Sci-Fi coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on.

Try Radio Times magazine today and get 10 issues for only £10 – subscribe now. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.