Magic, mythology, and adventure returned to San Diego Comic-Con as Neon Gurl sat down with the cast and creator of The Librarians: The Next Chapter ahead of the highly anticipated second season.
Premiering Tonight, Sunday, August 2 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on TNT, the fantasy-adventure series continues expanding the beloved Librarians universe with new magical mysteries, legendary artifacts, and a team of unlikely heroes determined to protect the world from dangerous forces.
While The Librarians has always delivered thrilling adventures and ancient magic, one message continues to set the franchise apart: true heroes aren’t defined by supernatural powers, they’re defined by what they know.
That philosophy starts with creator Dean Devlin, who told Neon Gurl that the series has always celebrated intelligence over extraordinary abilities.
“The Librarians aren’t superheroes because they were bitten by a radioactive spider. They’re superheroes because they’re smart. They read a lot of books, and they retained a lot of information.”
For Devlin, that’s the heart of the series. Anyone has the potential to become extraordinary through curiosity, learning, and a willingness to grow.
“I love the idea that anyone can be a superhero if you take enough time and learn enough,” he said.
But beyond the magical artifacts and legendary creatures, Devlin believes The Librarians has endured because it offers audiences something many people are searching for today: an escape.
“We’re all going through tough times,” he explained. “People don’t always want to watch the news. They want to disappear for a little while and live in another world. That’s what The Librarians gives them.”
That sense of wonder has helped the franchise become a favorite across generations.
“I think what’s remarkable is that it’s a show for everyone,” Devlin said. “You can watch it with your kids, you can watch it with your grandma, and everyone’s going to enjoy it.”
For a series centered around libraries, books, and history, it’s fitting that imagination remains one of its greatest forms of magic.
Women Whose Greatest Strength Is Their Mind
One of the strongest themes to emerge from Neon Gurl’s conversations with the cast was the importance of portraying intelligent women whose power comes from their minds rather than traditional stereotypes.
Olivia Morris, who plays the brilliant and analytical Lysa Pascal, believes audiences deserve female characters who are allowed to be complex.
“Lysa is so intellectual, but she’s also complicated,” Morris shared. “She’s allowed to get things wrong. She’s allowed to try things.”
Instead of presenting perfection, Morris says Lysa’s journey is about growth.
“One thing I learned from this job and from this character is that you have to rely on your friends and your team,” she said. “I think women need to know that people are there for you. You don’t have to do it alone.”
According to Morris, Season 2 explores how accepting support doesn’t diminish a woman’s independence, it strengthens it.
“She’s going to show how strong you can be with a team behind you,” she said. “It doesn’t take anything away. It just bolsters you.”
For Morris, one of the most rewarding aspects of playing Lysa is that audiences admire her because of her intelligence.
“She’s adored because she’s witty and quick,” she said. “It’s showing a different side to women that isn’t usually seen.”
A Return Fans Will Love
Season 2 also welcomes back fan-favorite Cassandra Cillian, played by Lindy Booth, whose return reconnects audiences with one of the franchise’s most beloved characters.
When asked what portraying such an intelligent woman has meant to her over the years, Booth reflected on why Cassandra continues to resonate with viewers, especially young women.
“I love this character,” Booth told Neon Gurl. “I think it’s really important that young girls get to see characters on TV that are smart, that are their own person, that are unique, that are interesting, and that are overcoming their own challenges.”
Like Morris, Booth emphasized that strength isn’t about perfection.
“It’s important that they’re allowed the opportunity to fail,” she said. “To own themselves and really embrace who they are, not be what people tell you they need to be.”
For Booth, authenticity is ultimately what gives characters lasting impact.
“I think that’s when we get to be our real selves,” she said. “Authenticity is something people really need.”
The Magic of The Librarians
Although the series is filled with enchanted relics, mythical creatures, and epic adventures, The Librarians: The Next Chapter continues to remind audiences that its greatest magic has always been rooted in curiosity, courage, and compassion.
Whether it’s Devlin’s belief that knowledge is every person’s greatest superpower, Morris’ message that intelligence grows stronger through community, or Booth’s encouragement for young women to embrace their authentic selves, one idea connects every conversation Neon Gurl had at Comic-Con:
The strongest heroes aren’t the ones born with extraordinary abilities—they’re the ones who choose to keep learning.
As The Librarians: The Next Chapter returns for another season, audiences can expect plenty of magical adventures. But beneath every spell, artifact, and mystery lies a story about the power of knowledge, friendship, and believing in who you are.
For longtime fans and newcomers alike, that’s a lesson worth checking out, right alongside a great book from your local library.
