The Night Agent showrunner Shawn Ryan confirms Professor Wilfred Cole’s fate in the season 2 ending. Played by The Shield‘s Jay Karnes, Cole was a chemistry professor at Columbia University and one of the scientists who worked on Foxglove, a now-deserted project to create chemical weapons and antidotes. He and Rose (Luciane Buchanan) were both abducted by Markus (Michael Malarkey) and Tomás (Rob Heaps) to create KX. Toward the Night Agent season 2 ending, Professor Cole was brutally beaten, and though others were able to escape, he wasn’t shown again.

While answering a fan’s question on TVLine, Ryan addressed Professor Cole’s fate at the end of season 2. Though the professor was only seen unconscious and brutally hurt in his final scene, the showrunner confirmed that Karnes’ character was “killed” during the escape. Check out what he said below:

The professor was beaten pretty savagely by one of the bad guys, and killed — but his death allowed his wife and Rose to escape. It was a notable sacrifice.

What This Means For The Night Agent Season 2

Professor Cole’s Journey Ends In Season 2

Professor Cole is part of the Foxglove storyline in The Night Agent season 2, where Tomás Bala and Markus attempt to recreate KX to avenge the former’s father, Viktor (Dikran Tulaine), a former dictator convicted of war crimes. As retaliation by the Bala family against the United States, The Night Agent season 2 concluded with deaths of the main players within this plot. Markus murdered Tomás and used him as the first test subject for KX. Professor Cole fought to earn his family a chance at escape, which reinforces the inner courageousness of the character.

The confirmation of Professor Cole’s death means that the character or Foxglove probably won’t have anything to do with The Night Agent season 3’s plot. With the Foxglove storyline concluding in season 2, the show is moving in a new direction. His death also marks a definitive end point to the Bala family drama. The showrunner’s comments point out the intention behind Cole’s final scene, reinforcing the idea that his death was meant as a sacrifice. It’s an impactful moment for the audience, and one that caps off a particular storyline.

Our Take On Professor Cole’s Death In The Night Agent Season 2

Season 2 Isn’t About Happy Endings

Professor Cole was a very relatable character and someone who seemed like he could be a great help in future seasons. However, The Night Agent had no intention of keeping Professor Cole as a recurring role in the show, with his death solidifying the impression that he was only ever meant to function within the plot of season 2. This cuts his development short and limits the possibilities of his character.

The Night Agent season 3 has already been confirmed by Netflix, and filming is currently underway.

It’s sad that Professor Cole didn’t get to reunite with his family. However, from the story’s standpoint, letting him live also would not have held as much significance as his demise. Leaving his death permanent conveys his heroism and sacrifice. Additionally, The Night Agent season 2 didn’t end on a happy note, with Peter’s rogue mission having swayed the result of the presidential election. A happy ending doesn’t seem to match with the tone of the show at this point, so in the end, Cole’s death was fitting.