Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy take our burning premiere questions You just saw HBOsWestworldpremiere. You now have questions (lots andlotsof questions). We have some answers or rather, some helpful clarifications on some of the things you saw. Credit: John P. Johsnon/HBO You said during HBOs newbehind-the-scenes videothatWestworldis set in the 21st century. Wondering if you’ve got the option to reveal what year? Jonathan Nolan: Thats something for the audience to discover....

Like:What is consciousness? Does an artificial intelligence have the same rights as a person? Is AI a threat? Credit: HBO Dont worry, there are no spoilers. LISA JOY: Thats a great question. So we both thought a lot about the responsibilities of creating something. I see parallels between the two. With an AI, its the same thing. Computers have this kind of recursive system where they can learn more and more things from the Internet....

Below showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy take our burning questions about Chestnut. Jonathan Nolan: We wanted to get that perspective in the show. We wanted to start with the hosts, make it clear where our allegiance lies. Credit: John P. Johnson/HBO Theyre very different characters than the original film. She seems perfectly content in her role despite knowing that shes not real. Nolan: This is a distinction between sentience and a contextual awareness....

CouldWestworldcrossover withGame of Thrones? Its an idea that fans have been suggesting online ever since HBOs new sci-fi thriller premiered. Then HBO could even resurrect popular dead characters such as Khal Drogo and Ned Stark. Credit: Helen Sloan/HBO Well, fans arent the only ones who have had this idea. It actually occurred toThronesauthor George R.R. Hes a lovely guy and a stunning writer and its flattering he would encourage a crossover....

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: My impression from interviewing Anthony Hopkins was that he was signed for one season. A lot of our readers think hell be back. Can you say if hes on board for season 2? JONATHAN NOLAN: We were very lucky to have one amazing season with Anthony Hopkins. We loved working with him. So I would say: Assume nothing. Is there anyone you’re free to say is definitivelynotcoming back next season?...

Read this if you’ve watched the episode. If you haven’t yet, come back later! Thandie Newton’sWestworldcharacter Maeve Millay was put through the existential wringer in the second episode of the acclaimed sci-fi drama. Credit: John P. Johnson ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: First, what drew you to this project? Maybe that sounds uncool, and it certainly it’s not to diminish the fun elements ofWestworld. It’s getting all that junk out of your head because it’s just stimulus from around us....

Evan Rachel Wood:I cant wait for everyone to see the rest. Thats just the beginning. The benefits of this role are pretty apparent, but what excited you most? Credit: HBO Its a dream role. I really didnt know where the story was going. They didnt tell us what our arcs were going to be. I was just given vague hints. Its really revolutionary for women. I readThe Singularity Is Nearand watched TED talks and talked to futurists....

ET; EW.com will have a deep-dive recap and post-episode interview with showrunners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy. ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: First, how would you describe Bernards role? What excited you the most about this project? Credit: John P. Johnson/HBO After reading the script, that was pretty much all I needed. I was struck by was the premise, but also the language and the calculus behind the storytelling. Did you have any feelings about the 1973Westworldfilm?...

A flurry of updates from Delos. First, we have a bunch of new photos from episode 3, titled The Stray (below). Theres also a couple cool newWestworldposters that HBO mocked up for New York City Comic-Con. Credit: John P. Johnson; HBO Both riff on the original 1973 feature films iconic Gunslinger character played by Yul Brynner. That might not sound big compared to U.S. ratings, but its the channels most-watched series debut ever....

Plus, theres poor Teddy Flood (James Marsden) giving us a shocked look. Sundays 90-minute finale, The Bicameral Mind, returns showrunner Jonathan Nolan behind the camera as director. Be sure to come to EW.com after the finale for ourdeep-dive recap. Credit: John P. Johnson; HBO Also, in case you missed it, heres the trailer for Sundays episode: Lewis Jacobs/NBC

ED HARRIS:I wasnt aware initially. So I was aware of the experience he was having in the park. But I didnt know that this whole host revolution that was going to be taking place. Credit: John P. Johnson; HBO Did you have any conversations with Simpson that informed either of your performances? We never really talked about it. As far as I was concerned, I was playing my character. Whatever was going on with him in the past, is the in past....

Hopkins says producers initially described his role as cross between Walt Disney and Dr. Frankenstein. For the actors, playing androids is particularly challenging because everything a host does must have some logical purpose. Every little beat, every moment and every flicker of your eye means something, Wood says. Credit: John P. Johnson/HBO The Gunslinger is a twist on the 1973Westworldfilms murderous terminator gunslinger (Yul Brynner). He comes across as a sadist whos on a mysterious quest....

HBO has made the first four episodes available to critics (the first season is 10 episodes long). The series premieres Oct. 2. IGN: After a lot of build-up and some much-discussed production delays, would it deliver? Credit: John P. Johnson/HBO Its a scenario thats been visualized a thousand ways… But the scenario has rarely been developed with the sophistication and ingenuity on display in HBOs upcoming seriesWestworld…. The series doesnt merely present androids as protagonists or victims....