

The secrecy does go a little deeper than providing fans with just a surprise, though. Gugino's Olivia Crain was central to the plot of Hill House. Her death fueled the events of the show. Flanagan wisely knew that fans would welcome both actresses back with open arms. However, Siegel's tortured and feisty Theo Crain quickly became a fan favorite. Gugino was a star before she joined Hill House, so naturally, fans gravitated toward her. Gugino played the doomed matriarch of the Crain family and Siegel was the middle child. It quickly became a hit for Netflix, since fans responded so well to the characters that Mike Flanagan created. Hill House was a very contained, character-driven story, laser-focused on its main ensemble. The main reason for the secrecy surrounding Siegel's and Gugino's roles is simple - it was for the fans. Not to mention, both actors were perfectly splendid in their respective roles, which wouldn't have been the same if played by anyone else. By slowly revealing their identities, that theme's power was strengthened. The show is about ghosts and haunted people, and both of their characters are extreme examples of that theme. Related: The Haunting of Bly Manor's Book Ending Is Much Darkerīy the time audiences reach Bly Manor's ending, Gugino and Siegel's characters are revealed to be two of the most important in the season. Bly Manor opens by revealing Gugino as a nameless narrator, and takes eight episodes to introduce Siegel's character, who is an integral part of Bly's history. Thomas plays their uncle Henry, and Jackson-Cohen plays his associate, Peter. She slowly realizes there's something very wrong with the children and their home.

The new season of the show follows Dani (Pedretti) as she becomes an au pair to two orphaned children, Miles and Flora. The Haunting of Bly Manor borrows Hill House cast members for a brand new ghost story.
