20 Reasons We’re Excited for the Return of ‘Roswell, New Mexico’

Roswell, New Mexico returns to our screens for a second season on March 16, 2020. We have been waiting impatiently for months to be reunited with our sci-fi small town show. Now that the time is nearly here, we want to revel in the reason we are tickled to our toes for Season 2 of this CW hit. 

Here are, in no particular order, 20 reasons we’re excited for the return of Roswell, New Mexico.

1. Big Desert Skies

Roswell, New Mexico films in near Santa Fe, New Mexico. This departure from the typical studio or Canadian setting allows us to soak in a landscape with rich desert colors and electric lighting. 

The weather, from the dusty winds and rainbow sun rays to the earth-shaking lightning storms, is an essential element to the character of The CW reboot.

We connect more with Max and Liz as a couple because of the scenery that is used during their peak emotional moments. Likewise, Max’s anger is tied to the storms, and Michael’s longing for Alex (and, of course, the rhythm of his curls’ bounce) is enmeshed with the wind tunnel by his trailer. 

The show’s masterful inclusion of the wide blue yonder is completely fitting given that the alien story is centered on something coming from the sky! Roswell, New Mexico Season 2 promises to once again woo us with those vast celestial landscapes.

2. Rosa’s Return

On Roswell, New Mexico Season 1 Episode 13, “Recovering the Satellites,” Rosa Ortecho rises from the grave and comes back to life!

As the once-dead teen, played magnificently by Native actress Amber Midhunter, embraces her now-older sister Liz, we can’t help but fixate on how this is going to go down on Season 2.

Rosa has been dead for a decade. And, she hasn’t aged because she was dead. It is not going to be easy for her to just walk into town! Just imagining Papa Ortecho’s grief, joy, and confusion is heart-wrenching.

Revealing Rosa will also reveal Isobel, Michael, Max and even her father’s role in the torture machine. 

Speaking of Rosa’s father, that is another revelation that is going to need to be addressed somehow! Kyle has a sister, Rosa has a brother, the plot thickens! 

The writers have their work cut out for them. No matter how Rosa’s story ends up falling into place, we are glowing with anticipation for the drama of the lost girl coming back home.  

3. The New Class

In the cruel hiatus between Season 1 and Season 2, Roswell, New Mexico has given us a few little somethings to quench our thirst. 

One of those somethings is the Season 2 casting news. Jamie Clayton and Justina Adorno are making a splash as Agent Grace Powell and Steph, respectively. 

Jamie Clayton is a trans actress who will be playing a trans character. This is an incredibly important representation. Well done, Roswell, New Mexico! For those of us who are still lamenting the unreasonably short life of Sense8 and who miss Nomi Marks, the inclusion of Clayton on the cast is an aloe vera salve. 

Justina Adorno played Yoli Renna (Team Yoli foreva!) on the summer smash Grand Hotel.

The actress is a Latina animal activist who will bring some size and ethnic diversity to the show! You can check out our interview with Justina here! We are thrilled to see her sarcastic wits match with Kyle’s (we have no insider info here, that would just be super fun to see!).

In addition to new actors and characters on Season 2, the writers’ room has also grown and diversified! Several WOC, Carolina Rivera, Diedre Mangan, and Alanna Bennett, have added their voices to the show. In addition, the writers’ team now includes Native writer Jason Gavin and first-gen Argentian American, Danny Tolli. 

We are ecstatic to see how this inclusivity comes out on screen on Roswell, New Mexico Season 2. 

4. Bisexual Alien Blast

Roswell, New Mexico Season 1 contributed to the progress of LGBTQIA representation on screen by including Michael Guerin, a bisexual character, who directly refers to his bisexuality. 

The show takes Guerin’s interest in Alex and Maria equally seriously. Plot and character concerns aside, the willingness for the show to let Guerin act on his bisexuality and not punish him or judge him is remarkable. 

Carina MacKenzie, the show’s creator and showrunner, revealed on twitter that a character that starts off straight at the beginning of the series identifies as LGBTQIA at the end. 

Clearly, Season 2 is committed to exploring different facets of LGBTQIA identity as it did in Season 1: without judgment and with a whole lot of cowboy fun. 

5. Kyle Quips

Kyle was the surprise hit of the season! Back in the day, Kyle was a total homophobic jerk. Roswell, New Mexico smartly uses that as a canvas to show how people can grow, forgive, and be forgiven. 

The best thing about Kyle, portrayed by the excellent Michael Trevino, though, is his fun and funny quips. Whether he is commenting on how everyone loves Max (is it because he’s tall?) or revealing his sci-fi ignorance, the dude entertains. 

Because he is so much more than his zingers, we are able to fully appreciate all the one-liners. We are so excited to see what is in store for Kyle on Season 2, and what he has to say about it. 

6. Jukebox Joys

The jukebox at the Crashdown Cafe has us planted firmly in the 90s. The reimagined versions of the moody, angsty, shouty, and romantic anthems of a bygone era are delightful. 

Max and Liz’s first kiss is set to an ethereal version of Iris. Max and Liz’s first ALMOST kiss and Michael and Alex’s actual first kiss has Bright Eyes’ “First Day of My Life,” as the soundtrack. 

The “God of Wine” lyrics dancing around Michael’s airstream trailer still have us in a tizzy. Even when the tunes aren’t from the jukebox or aren’t from the 90s, the music on Roswell, New Mexico holds a tender space in which the relationships on the show flourish. 

Season 2 is sure to bring even more magical music moments to Roswell. 

7. My Maria 

Maria DeLuca is a phenomenal woman. She opens up her life and takes on the woes of other people, all while managing her deep heartaches with firey booze and wit.

We think it is fair to say that she has not had her time to shine on the show, and Season 2 is going to change that! Maria is going to find out how Noah used the free music nights at the bar to prey on vulnerable people. Not only that, she will learn how Noah took over her body to commit murders.  

Maria also will face the good-ish news that her mom is not sick in the way that everyone assumed. There is a lot there for Maria to unpack and work through on Roswell, New Mexico Season 2.

We hope that the drama will focus on her internal conflicts and her complex relationship between her family and the town, rather than on her romance with Michael. 

Romance and love are important conflicts, but that really is primarily Michael’s journey. Maria deserves to be front and center for meaningful storylines on Season 2. And we are ready to soak it all up! 

8. Malex

The cosmic connection between Michael Guerin and Alex Manes gives us enough ship fuel to make it to Mars and back. The ship even made our list of Top 40 Couples of the Decade!

There is a history of pain between these two lovers, but there’s also healing. They find a sense of home with each other, which each have been craving their whole lives. 

But, there are great forces on Earth that keep them apart. In the beginning, it was the truly dastardly Father Manes. At the end of Season 1, it was really the baggage and scars that they both carry with them, and within them, that blocked a real relationship for Malex.

They may not have been ready for riding off into the sunset in Season 1, and, if we’re honest, that may never be in the cards for these two as they have faced more than their fair share of childhood trauma. However, Alex is capable of facing his fear and staying. Guerin is capable of vulnerability and trust. 

Season 2 could bring us a Malex journey that focuses on them learning to love themselves so they can be ready to love each other. 

Also, space ship sex? Up, up, and away!

9. Out of this World Mothers

The mothers on Roswell, New Mexico have a big impact even with a very minimal presence.  Maria’s world revolves around her mom. The Ortecho sisters live with their mother’s abandonment. Michael met his mother for one brief and beautiful moment before her death. 

All of our main characters have major mommy issues. 

On Season 2 we will get to explore the matronly mess these characters face, and we will get to meet some of the moms face to face!

The moms in this alien town have some serious explaining to do. We are absolutely looking forward to the matriarchal crash-down on Season 2. 

10. BrOTPs

The BrOTPs (friendship version of One True Pairing) are at least as alluring as the romantic ships on Roswell, New Mexico. 

Now that Officer Cameron has ridden off the show (we hear she’ll be back for a quick episode or two!), we are down a stellar OT-Three between her, Alex, and Kyle. Luckily, Rosa is back, and so we can look forward to the power paring of Maria and Rosa in real-time, not just flashbacks!

Kyle and Alex’s strong bond will once again be a joy to witness and the burgeoning BrOTP between Liz and Michael will give us a gut check and many giggles. 

Isobel has a beautiful friendship with her brother Michael. We have big hopes for her to branch out from her pod family to honestly connect with other women on Roswell, New Mexico Season 2.

Liz was there for Isobel in a big way on Roswell, New Mexico Season 1 Episode 12, “Creep.” These two strong people have big BrOTP energy. 

There are many mash-ups that are possible with the talented cast, and we are glad we don’t know who is going to bond and give us BrOTP goodness on Season 2.

11. Religious Imagery

Liz explains her faith journey from church to the lab on the first season of Roswell, New Mexico. Her perspective frames our view of a great deal of religious imagery on the show. 

In particular, the character of Max seems to be a Jesus figure on the show. Max has certainly faced some serious temptation in the desert. He has healing powers, but when he uses them, he takes on the great pain of others. His ultimate sacrificial act saving Rosa ends in his death, where he lies in the stance of the crucifixion.

Will the allusion continue with Max rising again? That is what we are praying we will learn on Season 2!

There is also some serious trinity referencing. The symbology in the opening titles and on Max’s body as a tattoo showcases a trinity. Michael, Max, and Isobel are a trinity, perhaps the father, son, and the holy spirit, respectively?

Maria, with her seeker abilities, sensuality, and openness, gives off major Mary Magdalene vibes. 

As the show dives deeper into its identity and core messaging, we are in for a spiritual experience on Season 2. 

12. Siblings

All of the sibling groups on Roswell, New Mexico have a mix of affection, conflict, and loyalty in their relationships. That makes them achingly relatable to us.

Like siblings in real life, the Ortechos, the pod-siblings, and even the Manes brothers have a deep understanding of each others’ current life because they know what it was like back then.

Their shared history is a powerful bond creator. 

It is a joy to see the brothers and sisters struggle to be there for each other in adulthood. Season 2 will bring us the new sibling pairing between Kyle and Rosa. We know there will be drama, tears, and hugs; bring it on. 

13. Alienation

Like any good alien story, Roswell, New Mexico explores the concept of alienation. Each of the main characters experiences this. Some of the alienation is self-imposed, like Max whose martyrdom sets him apart from his peers. 

Noah, as terrible and villainous as he turns out to be, also suffers from intense alienation. He was trapped by himself, lonely and foreign, for decades. The show warns us that alienation can turn us into the vilest versions of ourselves. 

Maria seems to have been able to turn her isolation into something good; she’s made a veritable country drinking song out of her life.

In all its different manifestations, alienation is a theme that is juicy, and we are excited to sink our teeth into it on Season 2.

14. Buffy

A new best friend is making its way to Roswell, New Mexico. Alex’s pooch, Buffy, an homage to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is going to make an appearance on the second season, and we are already squealing with joy. We can just imagine a happy puppy running into Guerin’s arms while an angsty Alex looks on, longing. 

Sigh, dogs make everything better, even ships.

Hopefully, Buffy looks a bit like the cutey in the GIF above. Whatever she looks like, though, the new four-legged star is certain to be one of our favorite new characters on Roswell, New Mexico Season 2. 

15. Cowboy Hats & Curls

Michael Vlamis is really something.

Michael Guerin is Vlamis’s first big role, and he is absolutely making the most of it. His curly hair and the way he wears that angry cowboy venire, Johnny Cash cowboy hat included, made him the most GIF-able cast member of Roswell, New Mexico Season 1. 

That is not to say that his performance as the loner lover-boy is anything but stellar. It is just that Vlamis brings an exuberance and “all-in” charm to his experience as Michael Guerin, and we are all along on the fantastic ride. 

We are rooting for Vlamis, and we can’t wait to see how he continues to flourish on Season 2.

16. Triple Threats

The potential for this cast to dance, sing, and act their way into our hearts is astronomical. If we are lucky, Season 2 will allow this multi-talented cast to show off their triple-threats. 

Before her role as Liz Ortecho on Roswell, New Mexico, Jeanine Mason was well known for her work on the dance competition show So You Think You Can Dance. Her dancing skills are out of this world. 

Heather Hemmens showed off her jaw-dropping singing talents during the first season. And, as her time on Hellcats can attest to, Hemmens has stunning dance moves as well. 

Tyler Blackburn has recorded several songs with musical artist Novi, including the song “Can’t Love Me,” which played during “Creep.”

17. Echo

Max has been head over heels in love with Liz Ortecho since high school. That is a whole lotta years of yearning. Liz feels the intensity of Max’s love for her on Roswell, New Mexico Season 1 Episode 1, “Pilot.”

They make us feel as satisfied by an almost kiss as most couples do after a serious makeout session! Liz and Max, ship name Echo, are a tumultuous pair, what with the sister murder and sacrificial death stuff. 

On a show with a supernatural heart, we wouldn’t expect anything less. It is entirely up in the air how Max dying will impact Echo. Max could go the way of Angel on Buffy, or even just live on in flashbacks.

Regardless of how this love story continues, we want to keep on reading what Echo has to offer (especially if it includes more bookcase hookups).

18. The Mythology

Even with some questions answered, like what is under Guerin’s tarp, many remain on Roswell, New Mexico.

Noah’s explanations of his status and how it is different than that of Isobel, Max, and Michael opened up a bag of wormholes. Clearly, the alien siblings come from a society of some sort where there are complex hierarchies. 

The mystery I’m most excited to learn more about is Maria’s necklace and what it has to do with everything. There is also the spaceship Michael is building and the random puzzle pieces Kyle and Rosa’s father hid for Alex. 

We also still don’t know what that darn tattoo means! 

There are so many delicious mysteries that are left to uncover, and we are buckled-up for the wild ride the second season will surely take us on. 

19. Liz Ortecho

Liz Ortecho is a character who so many of us have been wanting to see on TV for some time.

She defies stereotyping and simplified identity markers. Her story is that of a first-gen Mexican American, but it is her story. As a result, it reflects how different and personal the stories of Chicanas like her are in real life. 

Liz is a complete badass who can run through town in high heels to take down an alien killer and mastermind an antidote serum all in the same day. 

She is, of course, imperfect. But, she doesn’t lead with her flaws. She leads with honesty and a refreshing vulnerability. Her ability to be open to the world is near profound considering how she has taken on science as her new faith. 

Jeanine Mason breathes magical life into our lead character, and where she leads, we will follow. 

20. Season 3 on the Horizon

The final reason we’re excited for Roswell, New Mexico Season 2 is that we know that a third season is on the way as well!

The series has already been picked up for a Season 3 by The CW. So, we can relax and enjoy watching the sophomore offering of the sci-fi drama without worrying about whether the season finale will be the series finale. 

The pressure is off! That makes for wonderful watching, and we can’t hardly wait. Luckily, there are just a few more weeks before the hit series once again graces our small screens.

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Are you as excited as we are for the return of Roswell, New Mexico on The CW? Share what you are most looking forward to on Season 2 in the comments below!

Roswell, New Mexico Season 2 premieres Monday, March 16 at 9/8c on The CW.

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