Found Star Gabrielle Walsh Reveals Her Character’s Darkest Secrets and Brightest Moments in Season 2

NBC’s Found has captured viewers with its gripping storylines, harrowing emotional arcs, and layered characters. At the heart of the show’s emotional engine is Gabrielle Walsh, who portrays Lacey Quinn, a character defined by her trauma, strength, and complex journey toward healing.

As the second tranche of Season 2 unfolds, Walsh sat down with Where Is The Buzz to talk about her experience diving deep into Lacey’s evolution, the challenges and rewards of playing such a raw and real character, and what fans can expect in the episodes to come.

Lacey Quinn’s Evolution: From Victim to Survivor

In Season 1, viewers watched Lacey as a survivor of abduction, grappling with trauma while helping others as part of Gabi Mosely’s M&A team. But Season 2 shifts the tone dramatically. Walsh opened up about how the new season revisits Lacey’s past in deeply personal and terrifying ways, starting with her being kidnapped again by her former captor, Sir.

“At the end of Season 1, you see Sir hiding in the closet,” Walsh reminded fans. “Season 2 opens with the confirmation—he’s taken her again. But this time, Lacey’s no longer a little girl. She’s not helpless. She’s stronger, and she’s fighting back.”

Re-experiencing such a traumatic event could easily undo a character, but not Lacey. Instead, Walsh said this season has become an exploration of agency and identity.

“She’s re-traumatized, yes,” Walsh explained. “But she gets to show what she’s made of. It’s about reclaiming power. She escapes, but then has to figure out: who is Lacey outside of Gabby’s shadow?”

Navigating Complicated Relationships

Season 2 delves deeper into Lacey’s bonds, particularly with Gabi Mosely (Shanola Hampton) and Zeke Wallace (Arlen Escarpeta). These dynamics are no longer simple. Secrets, betrayal, and emotional baggage make everything more complicated.

“There’s a deep sisterhood between Lacey and Gabi,” Walsh said. “But when Lacey finds out Gabby kept Sir captive, that’s not something you just move past. It’s betrayal.”

Despite the fracture in their bond, Lacey remains part of the M&A team, trying to make peace with the woman who saved her and kept life-altering secrets.

Then there’s Zeke. What started as a friendship is slowly becoming something deeper and more intimate.

“There’s a kinship there, a beautiful friendship that might be becoming something more,” Walsh said with a smile. “It’s that bumpy road of when you like your best friend. Fans will see where it goes.”

A Season of Twists, Family Tension, and Heart-Wrenching Cases

For anyone who thought Found couldn’t get more intense, think again.

“Season 2 is crazy,” Walsh laughed. “You thought Season 1 was wild? This is next level.”

Aside from Lacey’s personal arc, the show continues the relentless cat-and-mouse game between Sir and Gabi. And in a shocking twist, Margaret Reed’s long-lost son Jamie returns, 13 years after his disappearance.

“Margaret mourned her son so deeply, she almost took her own life. Then he shows up at the bus station. She believes it’s him, but is it really?” Walsh teased. “It’s beautiful and terrifying.”

These emotional shocks are balanced with the series’ case-of-the-week format, which highlights the stories of missing persons from marginalized communities.

“The writers bring a piece of themselves into every story,” Walsh said. “It’s so diverse—people of color, queer folks, the elderly, addicts. The ones often forgotten. We’re reminding the world that they matter.”

Finding Light in the Darkness

While Found doesn’t shy away from difficult themes like suicide, abduction, and systemic neglect, Walsh finds joy in Lacey’s outlook.

“Lacey wants to love, she wants to trust,” Walsh shared. “She’s skeptical, sure, but she leads with her heart. I admire that. It’s something I try to bring into my own life.”

Walsh, a mother herself, sees parallels between her personal experiences and Lacey’s resilience.

“I had my daughter young, and I’ve had to push through obstacles in this industry. Lacey’s strength, her optimism even in darkness, it’s inspiring.”

From Turner Classic Movies to NBC Primetime

Walsh’s love of acting began in childhood, watching classic films with her father.

“We used to watch old Turner Classic Movies—Clark Gable, Greta Garbo, Bette Davis,” she recalled fondly. “Before I got full of myself and only wanted to watch things in color!”

That early exposure to storytelling planted a seed that would later grow into a career marked by dynamic roles in NCIS, 9-1-1, and now Found.

“The most rewarding part of my career? Discovering myself,” Walsh said. “You lose yourself to find yourself again. These roles, the fight for a ‘yes’ through all the ‘nos,’ have helped me grow in ways I never expected.”

More Stories, More Voices

As for what’s next, Walsh is dreaming bigger, behind the camera as well as in front of it.

“I want to lead bigger roles, yes,” she said. “But I also want to write and direct. I want to be part of creating these stories from the ground up.”

Found has been a turning point. A marathon, as Walsh put it, with 22 episodes that tested her endurance and brought her closer to her cast and crew.

“You better love the people you work with when you’re filming for almost a year,” she laughed. “Thankfully, we’re a family. That support is what gets you through the heavy stuff—missing people, grief, trauma. We show up for each other.”

A Show That Matters

With its bold storytelling and commitment to elevating overlooked narratives, Found is more than a mystery drama. It’s a statement. And Gabrielle Walsh’s portrayal of Lacey Quinn is at its heart.

“Every episode keeps you on the edge of your seat,” Walsh said. “And underneath it all, there’s humanity. There’s truth.”

Found airs Thursdays at 10/9c on NBC and is currently streaming on Peacock. If you’re not caught up, Gabrielle Walsh has one thing to say:

“Catch up. It’s wild.”

Watch FOUND Star Gabrielle Walsh Full Interview Below: