Created by Kyle Killen and Steven Kane.
The Halo TV series premiered on March 24, 2022. And the second season debuted on February 8, 2024.
Distributed by ViacomCBS Global Distribution Group.
Halo TV Series Review
Paramount+’s Halo TV series brings the iconic video game franchise to the screen with bold ambition and mixed results.
Season 1 ventured away from canon, introducing the “Silver Timeline” and focusing on humanizing Master Chief.
While Pablo Schreiber’s performance stood out, some fans felt disconnected from the lore.
Subplots like Kwan Ha’s journey and the romance with Makee drew criticism, despite high-quality visuals and action.
Season 2 showed marked improvement, diving deeper into the fall of Reach and offering stronger cohesion and stakes.
It brought a darker, more game-faithful tone that won back part of the audience.
While not perfect, the show is evolving into a respectable sci-fi series with promise for the future.
Ratings:
• IMDb: 7.3/10
• CR Rating: 8/10
• Google Audience Score: 82% liked this film.
Halo TV Series Actors
Pablo Schreiber as Master Chief Petty Officer John‑117
DOB: April 26, 1978.
Bio: Canadian-American actor known for physically commanding performances across television, film, and stage.
He trained at Carnegie Mellon University, graduating with a BFA in Drama (2000).
Schreiber gained early recognition for his work in theater and broke out on television with HBO’s The Wire.
Role: Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 is humanity’s most advanced Spartan supersoldier, genetically enhanced and raised for combat.
In Halo, Schreiber portrays a version of the iconic character that balances battlefield authority with an evolving inner life.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (17 eps).
Notable Works: The Wire, American Gods, Orange Is the New Black, Den of Thieves, 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi.
Natascha McElhone as Dr. Catherine Halsey
DOB: December 14, 1971.
Bio: British actor born in Surrey, England. She trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and began her career in theater before moving into film and television.
She is also the author of a memoir reflecting on grief following the death of her husband, surgeon Martin Kelly.
Role: Dr. Catherine Halsey is the architect of the Spartan-II program and the creator of Cortana.
A visionary scientist with ruthless pragmatism, Halsey believes humanity’s survival justifies extreme moral compromise.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (17 eps).
Notable Works: The Truman Show, Solaris, Californication, Designated Survivor.
Shabana Azmi as Admiral Margaret Parangosky
DOB: September 18, 1950.
Bio: Indian actor and activist, born in Hyderabad, India, to renowned Urdu poet Kaifi Azmi and theatre actor Shaukat Azmi.
She trained at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, and became one of the most respected performers in Indian parallel and mainstream cinema.
Role: Admiral Margaret Parangosky is the formidable head of UNSC Intelligence, operating at the highest levels of military and political power.
Coldly strategic and unyielding, Parangosky prioritizes humanity’s survival above all ethical considerations.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (17 eps).
Notable Works: Fire, Arth, Godmother.
Natasha Culzac as Spartan Riz‑028
DOB: August 20, 1986.
Bio: British actor and former journalist who transitioned into screen acting after working in U.K. media.
Before acting full-time, she wrote on culture and social issues, which informs the grounded seriousness she brings to her performances.
Role: Spartan Riz-028 is the sharpshooter of Silver Team, defined by discipline, precision, and unwavering loyalty to Master Chief.
Quiet and mission-focused, Riz embodies the Spartan ideal of duty over emotion, often serving as the team’s stabilizing force in combat.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (17 eps).
Notable Works: The Strangers, Men in Black: International.
Olive Gray as Dr. Miranda Keyes
DOB: December 16, 1994.
Bio: British actor trained at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, one of the U.K.’s leading conservatoires.
She began her screen career with television roles in British drama before moving into higher-profile international projects.
Role: Dr. Miranda Keyes is a UNSC scientist and officer, navigating the immense shadow of her mother, Dr. Catherine Halsey, while attempting to define her own moral and professional identity.
Unlike Halsey, Miranda is driven by empathy and ethical responsibility, often questioning the cost of UNSC decisions.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (17 eps).
Notable Works: Half Moon Investigations, The Story of Tracy Beaker Returns, Dark Money.
Yerin Ha as Kwan Ha
DOB: January 16, 1998.
Bio: Australian actor who began her career in television before gaining international attention through Halo.
Born in Australia and of Korean heritage, she trained professionally as an actor and has steadily built a résumé focused on dramatic roles.
Role: Kwan Ha is a young rebel from the Outer Colony world of Madrigal, driven by anger, grief, and a desire for independence from UNSC control.
Her storyline explores colonial oppression, inherited resistance, and the cost of rebellion outside the central Spartan narrative.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (17 eps).
Notable Works: Troppo, Bad Behaviour, Reef Break.
Bentley Kalu as Spartan Vannak‑134
DOB: April 7, 1985.
Bio: British actor and movement performer with a background in physical performance and screen work.
Before transitioning into acting roles, he worked extensively in stunt and motion-based productions, which informs his grounded physicality on screen
Role: Vannak-134 is a core member of Silver Team, defined by discipline, loyalty, and an unwavering sense of duty.
As the team’s emotional stabilizer, Vannak often acts as a quiet guardian figure, balancing battlefield efficiency with deep trust in his fellow Spartans.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (17 eps).
Notable Works: The Wheel of Time, Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Kate Kennedy as Spartan Kai‑125
DOB: April 1, 1994.
Bio: British actor and writer whose work spans theatre, television, film, and voice performance.
She has appeared in acclaimed stage productions and is also known for writing and performing in dark comedy and genre projects.
Role: Kai-125 is a core member of Silver Team, distinguished by her tactical precision, decisiveness, and unusually expressive personality for a Spartan.
Unlike many of her peers, Kai exhibits curiosity, wit, and emotional responsiveness, making her one of the series’ most humanized super-soldiers.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (17 eps).
Notable Works: Mass Effect: Andromeda, Haar.
Charlie Murphy as Makee
DOB: April 19, 1988.
Bio: Irish actor who trained at The Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, one of Ireland’s leading drama institutions.
She built her reputation through intense, grounded performances in crime dramas and thrillers before breaking into large-scale international television.
Role: Makee is a human raised by the Covenant, positioned between two civilizations locked in war.
Both weapon and believer, she serves as a mirror to the Spartans, shaped by indoctrination yet capable of emotional connection.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (17 eps).
Notable Works: Peaky Blinders, Happy Valley, Love/Hate, Rebellion.
Danny Sapani as Captain Jacob Keyes
DOB: November 15, 1970.
Bio: British actor trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama.
He has an extensive theatre background, including work with the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre, which informs his authoritative and disciplined screen presence.
Role: Captain Jacob Keyes is a seasoned UNSC naval commander and the father of Dr. Miranda Keyes.
A tactician shaped by duty and experience, Keyes represents the traditional military chain of command within the UNSC.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (17 eps).
Notable Works: Penny Dreadful, Doctor Who, Black Panther, Les Misérables (stage).
Jen Taylor as Cortana (voice & mocap)
DOB: February 17, 1973.
Bio: veteran voice and motion-capture actress best known for originating Cortana in Halo: Combat Evolved (2001) and subsequent Halo games.
She has also lent her voice to iconic video-game characters such as Zoey in Left 4 Dead and roles in animated series.
Role: Cortana is the AI companion of Master Chief (John-117), providing tactical guidance, emotional support, and strategic insight throughout the war against the Covenant and the growing existential threat to humanity.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (17 eps).
Notable Works: Left 4 Dead (Zoey), Mario Party (voice roles), various animated and video-game projects.
Bokeem Woodbine as Soren‑066
DOB: April 13, 1973.
Bio: Emmy‑nominated American actor, recognized for his standout work in Fargo and The Inspection.
He began his career as a dancer for Prince before transitioning to acting, and he is also active as a director and mentor for at-risk youth in Los Angeles.
Role: Soren‑066 is a Spartan soldier who diverges from the UNSC’s path, grappling with questions of loyalty, freedom, and the human cost of war.
Woodbine portrays Soren with raw emotion, unpredictability, and a moral complexity that challenges Master Chief and the Silver Team.
Seasons & Episodes: S1-2 (17 eps).
Notable Works: Fargo, The Inspection, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials.
More Actors
Season 1 (2022)
• Tylan Bailey as Kessler.
• Ryan McParland as Adun.
• Casper Knopf as Young John.
• Burn Gorman as Vinsher Grath.
Season 2 (2024)
• Joseph Morgan as James Acker.
• Christina Bennington as Cortana.
• Cristina Rodlo as Talia Perez.
• Marvin Jones III as Louis-036.
FAQ – Halo TV Series
What is Halo (TV series) about?
Halo (TV series) follows Master Chief, a super-soldier, as he battles the alien Covenant to protect humanity in the 26th century. It’s a military sci‑fi action series inspired by the Halo games.
How many seasons and episodes are there?
The series comprises two seasons with a total of 17 episodes. Season 1 premiered on March 24, 2022, and Season 2 concluded on March 21, 2024.
Where can I watch the Halo TV series?
All episodes are available for streaming on Paramount+.
Why was the series canceled after two seasons?
The Halo TV series was canceled after two seasons primarily due to high production costs and lower-than-expected viewership. SCREENRANT
How does the series relate to the video games?
The Halo TV series is set in the “Silver Timeline,” a distinct continuity separate from the video games.
Conclusion
Halo has grown significantly from its initial season, evolving into a more grounded and emotionally resonant sci-fi drama.
Though early deviations from the source material sparked controversy, the series gradually found its footing with improved storytelling, richer character arcs, and action sequences that reflect the spirit of the games.
Pablo Schreiber shines as Master Chief, and the ensemble cast adds depth to a universe long adored by gamers.
With Season 2 solidifying its identity, Halo proves it’s more than a fan-service adaptation, it’s a promising and maturing sci-fi saga with much left to explore.
As the lore expands and stakes rise, future seasons have the opportunity to push Halo toward must-watch television.