Exclusive The Affair Videos: How Will Cole and Helen's Perspectives Change the Show?

As if the concept of the truth isn't tricky enough on Showtime's The Affair, things are about to get even more complicated.

While the show's acclaimed first season looked at the extramarital love affair of Noah (Dominic West) and Alison (Ruth Wilson) through both characters' eyes, Season 2 will expand the story to also include the points of view of Noah's wife Helen (Maura Tierney) and Alison's husband Cole (Joshua Jackson).

"In the most basic sense, it takes the show from a he-said-she-said yin-yang and turns it into a quartet," Jackson says in the exclusive behind-the-scenes sneak peek above. Adds Tierney in her own featurette below: "This year, the whole structure is being adjusted. Giving all of the characters a POV really opens up the storytelling. It's interesting to explore where memories don't overlap. ... The truth is suspect. [So,] who are you rooting for?"
Fall Preview: Get scoop on The Affair and more of your favorite returning shows

Even though Cole and Helen are finally being presented through their own eyes, that doesn't make the portrayals any more flattering. In fact, both characters are reeling in their own ways from the events of the first season. (Did we catch Cole snorting cocaine and Helen getting arrested!?)

"At the beginning of Season 2, Cole is cored out," Jackson says. "He's just sort of empty. It's like he's disappeared inside of his own life. ... He's essentially failed at everything that was important to him and his story over the course of the season is going to be putting the pieces back together in his life."But perhaps that's just as it should be on this show. "The point is to live in these uncomfortable moments," Jackson adds. "There is no fairy-tale ending."
The Affair returns Sunday, Oct. 4 at 10/9c on Showtime. To see what Tierney has to say about Helen "falling apart," click play below.

2:00

Watch Now

(Full disclosure: TVGuide.com is owned by CBS, Showtime's parent company.)