Third season of Apple TV's 'WondLa' closes the book on trilogy

Each day brings a new challenge for Jeanine Mason.

The dancer/actress has been at center stage the majority of her life as she creates art via stage or film. She dives into projects she believes in and comes out “better at the end.”

In Mason’s latest project, “WondLa,” she voices the character Eva 9 — a character she has learned from over the course of three seasons. The final installment of the trilogy started streaming on Nov. 26 and the entire series is available on Apple TV.

“I’m still in the process of distilling everything I’ve learned from this project and Eva,” Mason says. “I’m in the protagonist’s seat this time and it means so much to me. One of my best friends lives in Albuquerque and her daughter, Brooklyn, watches the series. I’ve noticed that Brooklyn responds to Eva’s strength and conviction. Eva is so passionate and on message. Eva has inspired me to remain my authentic self through all of life’s challenges.”

The animated series is based on the books “The Search for WondLa,” “A Hero for WondLa” and “The Battle for WondLa” by Tony DiTerlizzi.

Joining Mason in the cast is Brad Garrett as Otto, Gary Anthony Williams as Rovender, Alan Tudyk as Cadmus Pryde, John Ratzenberger as Caruncle, John Harlan Kim as Hailey, Ana Villafañe as Eva 8, Peter Gallagher as Antiquus, Shohreh Aghdashloo as Darius and Arius, and Maz Jobrani as Zin.

According to Apple TV, Eva, a curious, enthusiastic and spirited human teenager, is raised in a state-of-the-art bunker by M.U.T.H.R, a robot caretaker. On her 16th birthday, after an attack on Eva’s bunker, she finds herself on the surface of a strange planet called Orbona, which is inhabited by aliens, covered with other-worldly fauna with no other humans to be found. Eva is joined by Otto, a giant tardigrade, and Rovender, a cantankerous alien, to help find humans, her home and her true destiny.

In the final six episodes of the trilogy, war erupts between humans and aliens.

With Orbona’s fate hanging in the balance, Eva must embark on her most dangerous mission yet: recapturing the stolen Heart of the Forest.

Along the way, she gathers old friends and unlikely allies for one last stand.

But to save Orbona, Eva must do more than find the Heart; she must bridge two divided worlds.

“It’s so bittersweet,” Mason says of the series ending. “We started this project in 2022 and being in the presence of this group of people that is committed to excellence is amazing. Everyone is on the same page and we were all fully supported by the same. I’m going to miss being in the room.”

Mason says going into the project, she was aware that it would end after three seasons.

She says this gave the production time to shape “WondLa.”

“It also allowed me to be present for each moment,” she says. “We knew it was ending and for me, I was along for the ride. In Season 1 and 2, I was able to see the series as it was being made. With this season, I’m seeing it for the first time as it’s ready for the audience.”

Working on an animated show didn’t deter Mason in any way. She saw the opportunity as a challenge.

“This is new territory for me,” she says. “What I’m hoping for is that audiences will watch this and start conversations with their family. The series is an escape of sorts but deals with human issues.”

Third season of Apple TV's 'WondLa' closes the book on trilogy