Surface season 2 episode 1 ending explained: What secrets is Sophie hiding?

Surface season 2 episode 1 premiered on February 21, 2025, bringing more mysteries and hidden secrets to the forefront. Streaming on Apple TV+, this new episode follows Sophie Ellis as she attempts to reclaim lost pieces of her past.

Surface season 2 episode 1 opens with Sophie in London, seemingly searching for answers. As the episode unfolds, it becomes evident that she might be hiding even more than she remembers.

Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers abour Surface season 2 episode 1. Reader's discretion is advised.

Surface season 2 episode 1 ends with her reuniting with investigative journalist Callum Walsh, whom she had approached months before her accident. Their conversation confirms Sophie’s belief that the Huntley family is connected to her mother’s death, setting the stage for a deeper investigation into a sinister past.

Created by Veronica West, Surface first premiered in 2022. The story revolves around Sophie Ellis (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), who suffers memory loss following a near-fatal accident. As she tries to reconstruct her past, she discovers layers of deception in her life, including a secret identity Tess Caldwell.

Surface season 2 episode 1 breakdown: Major events

Still from Surface season 2 episode 1 (Image via AppleTV)

Surface season 2 episode 1 opens with Sophie attending a high-profile charity auction hosted by the Huntley Foundation. She places an extravagant bid, which catches the attention of Eliza Huntley, an old friend, or perhaps something more. Eliza is stunned by Sophie’s sudden return after years of no contact.

As Sophie attempts to mend her fractured relationship with Eliza, viewers are introduced to the Huntley family’s influence in London’s elite circles. Eliza, a Philharmonic cellist, is currently in a romantic relationship with another woman, resulting in an underlying tension between them.

While conversing at Eliza’s gathering, Sophie discovers additional details about Grace, Eliza’s future sister-in-law, and Quinn Huntley, an important person in the family's matters.

The plot thickens when Sophie gets a voicemail from Callum Walsh, an investigative reporter who asserts they had spoken several months earlier. She tracks the leads to a secure box filled with newspaper articles that connect the Huntley family to several disappearances and criminal activities.

Who is Callum Walsh?

Gavin Drea as Callum Walsh in Surface season 2 episode 1 (Image via AppleTV)

Callum Walsh is a journalist for The Brittainian, known for exposing criminal enterprises. Before her accident, Sophie had contacted him with information about her mother’s suspicious death believing that William Huntley, the Huntley patriarch, was responsible. Callum had been investigating these claims, but his primary witness, Phoebe, has now mysteriously vanished.

As Surface season 2 episode 1 unfolds, it becomes clear that Sophie’s mission is not just about rediscovering her past but avenging her mother. The Huntley family, known for using wealth and influence to cover their tracks, seems to be hiding something much darker.

What secrets is Sophie hiding?

Sophie during the preimiere of Surface season 2 episode 1 at an auction. (Image via AppleTV)

In Surface season 2 episode 1, audiences may be left questioning what Sophie genuinely recalls and if she is completely truthful about her intentions. Although she asserts that she is looking for answers regarding her mother's death, there are subtle indications that she is aware of more than she reveals.

Her skill in effortlessly maneuvering through London’s elite circles, her financial means, and her swift reconnection with important personalities imply that she had been getting ready for this moment well in advance of her arrival.

Moreover, Sophie’s exchanges with Callum Walsh suggest a prior arrangement or scheme, which she has conveniently overlooked because of her memory issues. It may be possible that Sophie had discovered the truth regarding the Huntley family prior to her accident, and she is now merely retracing her previous actions.

If that is the case, what motivates her to conceal specific details, even from Callum, remains to be seen.

The ending of Surface season 2 episode 1 raises additional questions rather than answers, suggesting that Sophie may not be as innocent as she appears. As the season progresses, viewers will have to determine whether she is truly seeking justice or participating in a cunning ploy for her personal benefit.

Future developments on Surface season 2

Sophie and Ari at the auction in Surface season 2 episode 1 (Image via AppleTV)

Surface season 2 episode 1 leaves viewers with several questions: What does Sophie truly remember about her past? How far will the Huntley family go to protect their secrets? Will Callum be able to expose the truth before he becomes the next target?

While Sophie appears to be regaining control, the power the Huntleys wield makes her position increasingly precarious. Meanwhile, Quinn Huntley’s aggressive actions suggest that he is willing to go to extreme lengths to silence any threats. His mysterious discussions with his father suggest a broader conspiracy, one that Sophie might not be ready to face.

At the same time, Eliza’s mixed feelings about Sophie indicate that she understands more than she reveals, but it is still unclear if she is a friend or an enemy. The more Sophie investigates, the more she understands that she might not be the sole individual with hidden secrets.

For each answer she reveals, fresh mysteries arise, highlighting that the Huntley family's fabric of deception goes deeper than she had ever thought.

Streaming information

Surface season 2 is available exclusively on Apple TV+. New episodes will be released weekly, continuing to unravel Sophie’s past and the truth behind her mother’s death.

The episode release schedule of the show is enlisted below: