Who plays Nikolai in Shadow and Bone Season 2? We explore the character of Nikolai and the actor who plays him. This article contains spoilers.
The hotly anticipated return of Netflix’s fantasy teen epic Shadow and Bone means introducing many new characters in the show’s second season for audiences to get to grips with. As you will be aware, this highly successful series is based upon the young adult fantasy novel series written by Leigh Bardugo and includes an array of beloved, fan-favorite characters. One of the major characters introduced is Nikolai. So, who is this compelling character, and who plays Nikolai in Shadow and Bone Season 2?
Who is Nikolai in Shadow and Bone Season 2?
Before we are introduced to Nikolai, we are first introduced to a character called Sturmhond. This infamous privateer is after Alina and the reward money that comes with her capture. He is the one who initially hired the Crows to track her down and kidnap her. In the new series, he asks the Crows for her current whereabouts. The Crows’ leader, Kaz, eventually gives up Alina’s location, and Sturmhond heads straight to Novyi Zem to capture her. Alina and Mal are forced onto Sturmhond’s ship, but they convince him to help with their mission instead, offering a far greater reward in return.
Sturmhond helps them to find and kill the Sea Whip. He even supports their next mission into the Fold, where they hope to use this new power to destroy the Fold once and for all finally. During this quest, the team is attacked and crash land on the outskirts of the Fold. Sturmhond and his team are soon arrested. This is where Sturmhond reveals his true identity; he is Nikolai Lantsov.
Nikolai Lantsov is the Prince of Ravka. But he is also known as the Major of the 22nd Regiment, Soldier of the King’s Army, Grand Duke of Udova, second son of King Pyotr the Third, and ruler of the Double Eagle Throne. He used his Sturmhond alias to track down Alina undercover, but he is a good guy who wants to kill Kirigan, the Darkling, with Alina’s help.
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After reuniting with his own family, Nikolai suggests an engagement with Alina to help strengthen alliances and provide Alina with some security in the nation. They plan an engagement party right away but are attacked by Kirigan and his shadow monsters. This initiates a war between Nikolai and Kirigan. Nikolai fights valiantly alongside the Crows and manages to defeat Kirigan’s army. After the Fold is destroyed and Kirigan is killed, Nikolai is crowned king, and Alina as the new queen.
Who plays Nikolai in Shadow and Bone Season 2?
Nikolai Lantsov is played by Irish actor Patrick Gibson. He was born in Westminster, London, in 1995 but soon returned to his family’s home nation of Ireland. There he studied Philosophy at Trinity College Dublin before pursuing a career in acting.
What is Patrick Gibson known for?
Patrick Gibson began his acting career in 2009 when he starred in three episodes of the TV series The Tudors. Since that small role, Gibson has performed in several TV shows, including a critical role in the Netflix original, The OA, playing Steve Winchell. Gibson has also starred in a handful of movies. His film debut was in What Richard Did, but he has also starred in Their Finest and Tolkien. Hopefully, his larger role in Shadow and Bone will lead to far greater opportunities in the future for this talented, up-and-coming actor.
