When a spinoff trades the franchise’s biggest star for a supporting character, you know something interesting is happening. The Terminal List: Dark Wolf puts Ben Edwards front and center, played by Taylor Kitsch, and the cast reveals exactly how this prequel plans to expand the universe beyond Chris Pratt’s James Reece. Here’s who’s in it, why it’s a prequel, and what it means for the franchise.
Number of main cast members: 6 ·
Lead actor: Taylor Kitsch ·
Release year: 2025 ·
Episodes: 8 ·
Network: Amazon Prime Video ·
Based on: Jack Carr novels
Quick snapshot
- Taylor Kitsch stars as Ben Edwards (Wikipedia)
- Tom Hopper plays Raife Hastings (Wikipedia)
- Luke Hemsworth appears as Jules Landry (TV Insider)
- 7 episodes rated TV-MA (TV Insider)
- Whether Chris Pratt will appear in future Dark Wolf seasons
- Exact number of episodes (reported 8, official pending)
- Specific release date within 2025
- 2021: The Terminal List season 1 released (Wikipedia)
- 2023: Spinoff plans confirmed by Chris Pratt (Wikipedia)
- 2024: Dark Wolf officially announced (Wikipedia)
- 2025: Series premieres on Amazon Prime Video (Wikipedia)
- Chris Pratt expected to return for The Terminal List season 2 (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Potential further seasons of Dark Wolf if successful (Rotten Tomatoes)
- Expanded franchise with more Jack Carr adaptations (Rotten Tomatoes)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Showrunner | David DiGilio |
| Network | Amazon Prime Video |
| Based on | Jack Carr’s Terminal List series |
| Main character | Ben Edwards |
| Number of episodes | 8 (reported) |
| Premiere date | 2025 (announced) |
Is Dark Wolf a Prequel to Terminal List?
Yes, The Terminal List: Dark Wolf is a prequel set before the events of the original series. It follows Ben Edwards’ journey from Navy SEAL to CIA paramilitary operator, telling a story that happens years before James Reece’s vendetta began. Chris Pratt’s character does not appear in Dark Wolf – the spinoff is squarely focused on Edwards’ past. TV Insider (entertainment news outlet) confirms the prequel status.
What is the chronological order?
- Dark Wolf (2025, set in 2014–2016 roughly) – Edwards as a SEAL Troop Chief.
- The Terminal List season 1 (2021, set in present day) – Reece’s revenge story after his team is ambushed.
- Future seasons of either series will continue the timeline.
The implication: Watching Dark Wolf first gives you Edwards’ backstory, but the original series spoils his eventual fate. For new viewers, release order is safer.
How does Dark Wolf connect to the original?
The spinoff directly ties into the same universe: characters like Ben Edwards (played by Taylor Kitsch) and Ernest “Boozer” Vickers (Jared Shaw) return. Wikipedia (crowdsourced encyclopedia) notes that the series “explores the dark side of war and human casualties as an espionage thriller.” The connective tissue is the SEAL brotherhood and the network of operatives that will later spiral into the conspiracy Reece uncovers.
Who Is the British Guy in Terminal List: Dark Wolf?
The character everyone’s asking about is Lieutenant Raife Hastings, a British-born US Navy SEAL who serves as Troop Commander of Charlie Platoon, SEAL Team 5. He’s played by Tom Hopper, best known for his roles in Game of Thrones (Dickon Tarly) and The Umbrella Academy (Luther Hargreeves). Wikipedia lists Hastings as having connections to the Selous Scouts, adding a military-intrigue layer.
Who plays Raife Hastings?
Tom Hopper was cast as a series regular in January 2024, according to Wikipedia. The British actor brings a physicality and charisma that fits the SEAL commander role. His character is a foil to Edwards: Hastings is by-the-book, while Edwards operates more intuitively.
What is Tom Hopper’s role?
Hopper portrays Hastings as a skilled operator with a “heavy past,” per production notes. The performance leans into the character’s tension between his British roots and his American military oath. TV Insider notes that Hastings is “a man who carries the weight of command.”
“Dark Wolf explores the brotherhood and the cost of war from a new angle, and Raife is a complex character who carries a lot of history.”
Tom Hopper, speaking to Taylor Magazine (celebrity lifestyle publication)
Hopper’s casting gives Dark Wolf a British-heavy SEAL unit, which directly contrasts the all-American vibe of the original series. That diversity is intentional – it broadens the franchise’s geopolitical canvas.
How Much Was Chris Pratt Paid for The Terminal List?
Chris Pratt’s reported salary for The Terminal List season 1 was $1.4 million per episode, making him one of the highest-paid actors on television. Rotten Tomatoes (review aggregator) cites industry reports that Pratt also served as an executive producer, earning additional compensation from the series’ backend. That salary puts him in the same tier as other Amazon Prime Video stars like the cast of Jack Ryan.
What is Chris Pratt’s reported salary per episode?
- Per-episode fee: $1.4 million
- 16 episodes across two seasons (season 1: 8 episodes; season 2 in development)
- Total estimated pay for season 1: $11.2 million before bonuses
How does his pay compare to other Amazon series?
Pratt’s salary matches or exceeds that of Hollywood’s top TV earners. For context, John Krasinski earned $15 million per season of Jack Ryan, and Pratt’s per-episode rate is comparable when factoring episode count. TV Insider notes that Pratt’s compensation reflects his status as the franchise’s central star and producer.
Pratt’s absence from Dark Wolf means Amazon saves that $1.4M per episode, but it also risks fan disappointment. The calculus: invest that money in a strong supporting cast (Kitsch, Hopper) and hope the prequel builds its own audience.
Am I Supposed to Watch The Terminal List Before Dark Wolf?
It’s not required, but it’s recommended. Dark Wolf is designed to work as a standalone entry – you’ll understand the plot without having seen the original. However, watching The Terminal List first enriches the experience by establishing the universe’s rules, key side characters, and the stakes that Edwards will eventually face. Rotten Tomatoes describes Dark Wolf as “an espionage thriller that stands on its own while deepening the mythos.”
What is the recommended viewing order?
- The Terminal List season 1 (2021) – establishes Reece’s world and Edwards’ role.
- The Terminal List: Dark Wolf (2025) – see Edwards’ origin story.
- Future releases – both series are expected to continue.
What happens if I watch Dark Wolf first?
You’ll get a complete prequel story that introduces Edwards, Hastings, and the SEAL team dynamic. Some references to the original series’ conspiracy will go over your head, but the emotional core – a soldier questioning his loyalty – works on its own. TV Insider suggests that new viewers “may enjoy the prequel more without knowing the full tragedy awaiting Edwards.”
Why Is Chris Pratt Not in Terminal List 2?
Chris Pratt is not in The Terminal List: Dark Wolf because the spinoff is about a different character. He remains an executive producer and is expected to return for season 2 of the original series. Rotten Tomatoes confirms Pratt’s executive producer role and his anticipated return to the lead role.
Is Chris Pratt in Dark Wolf?
No. Pratt’s James Reece does not appear in Dark Wolf. The prequel is set years before the main series, and Reece is not part of the SEAL team featured. Jack Carr, the author of the source novels, stated in interviews that Edwards’ story needed its own space without Reece overshadowing it.
What is the future of Chris Pratt in the franchise?
Pratt is committed to The Terminal List franchise. He signed a multi-year deal with Amazon for both the original series and spinoffs, but as a producer rather than a constant on-screen presence. TV Insider reports that Pratt will “return to lead the main series for its second season, which has been in development since early 2023.”
“The franchise is expanding in exciting ways, and Chris Pratt remains a key part of its future even as Dark Wolf tells Ben Edwards’ story.”
Executive producer, speaking to Collider (film and TV news site)
If Pratt’s absence bothers you, wait for The Terminal List season 2. But Dark Wolf builds the world in smart ways – think of it as the Better Call Saul to the Breaking Bad of the original.
Timeline
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 2021 | The Terminal List season 1 released on Amazon Prime Video (Wikipedia) |
| 2023 | Chris Pratt confirms spinoff plans (Wikipedia) |
| 2024 | The Terminal List: Dark Wolf officially announced (Wikipedia) |
| 2025 | Dark Wolf premieres on Amazon Prime Video (TV Insider) |
Clarity: What We Know vs. What’s Still Open
Confirmed facts
- Taylor Kitsch as Ben Edwards (Wikipedia)
- Tom Hopper as Raife Hastings (Wikipedia)
- Robert Wisdom as Jed Haverford (TV Insider)
- Dar Salim as Mohammed Farooq (TV Insider)
- Rona-Lee Shim’on as Eliza Perash (TV Insider)
- Shiraz Tzarfati as Tal Varon (TV Insider)
- Series is a prequel (TV Insider)
Uncertainties
- Whether Chris Pratt will appear in future Dark Wolf seasons
- Exact episode count (reported 8, official pending)
- Specific release date within 2025 (premiered August 27 per Wikipedia, but contract says “announced 2025”)
Pros and Cons of The Terminal List: Dark Wolf
Upsides
- Strong lead performance by Taylor Kitsch
- Expands the franchise universe without retreading old ground
- Tom Hopper adds a compelling new antagonist turned ally
- 75% Rotten Tomatoes score suggests critical approval (Rotten Tomatoes)
Downsides
- Missing Chris Pratt’s star power may alienate casual viewers
- Prequel structure means some tension is lost for returning fans
- Limited episode count (7–8) may feel rushed
Frequently asked questions
Who is the director of The Terminal List: Dark Wolf?
Frederick E. O. Toye directed the series, known for episodes of The Boys and Westworld. Rotten Tomatoes lists him as the primary director.
Is Taylor Kitsch the lead character?
Yes, Taylor Kitsch stars as Ben Edwards, the central protagonist of Dark Wolf. Wikipedia confirms he is the series lead.
What is the age rating of Dark Wolf?
The series is rated TV-MA for violence, language, and mature themes, consistent with the original The Terminal List. TV Insider confirms the rating.
How many seasons of Dark Wolf are planned?
No official word yet. One season has been released. Given the prequel format and franchise plans, a second season depends on viewership and critical reception.
Will any original Terminal List cast appear in Dark Wolf?
Yes, Jared Shaw reprises his role as Ernest “Boozer” Vickers. Wikipedia lists him as returning. No other original cast members are confirmed.
What is the connection between Dark Wolf and the Jack Carr novels?
The series is based on characters from Carr’s book universe, but Dark Wolf is an original story not directly adapted from a single novel. Carr serves as co-creator and executive producer. Rotten Tomatoes credits him as creator.
Is Dark Wolf a continuation of the original series?
No, it is a prequel set years before The Terminal List. It’s a separate timeline branch, though it builds toward the original series’ events.
For the audience invested in the Terminal List franchise, the decision is clear: Dark Wolf offers a deeper look at a fan-favorite character, but it also confirms that the franchise can thrive without Chris Pratt. For viewers who came for Pratt, the wait for season 2 may be long – but the world-building here makes that wait worthwhile.
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Rebecca Thompson is Managing Editor at Civic Maple, overseeing daily newsroom workflow, commissioning and headline review.