Wigged out! The supernatural 17th-century world of WGN America’s thriller Salem is back for a spellbinding second season, but it’s missing one very special “cast member” — Shane West’s fake and floppy wig! West’s character Captain John Alden, a war vet and the series’ main protagonist, was the subject of much ire for his very fake hairpiece during season one — so much so that West got a slick new haircut for season two.
“John has gone through a physical transformation,” executive producer/series creator Brannon Braga told Us Weekly about Alden’s new look. “The Indians who carried him away at the end of last season have nursed him back to health and put him through an initiation that has armed him with certain spiritualistic weapons. He’s now a man on a mission.”
West himself even commented on the headpiece — which took on a life of its own on the Internet.
“The wig’s been trouble,” the Walk to Remember actor told TVLine back in April 2014. “It’s been a source of conversation for the entire run of this first season. It’s wild, man.”
Salem, which premieres its new season April 5 and also stars Revenge’s Ashley Madekwe, explores the Massachusetts town’s infamous witchcraft trials — with an emphasis on the paranormal. The second season promises more than just a makeover for West — recurring guest stars Lucy Lawless and Stuart Townsend will join the returning cast, as a witch and a secretive doctor, respectively.
Check out West’s new look in this video, and watch Salem’s second season premiere on Sunday, April 5 at 10 p.m. EST on WGN America.
