Premiered: May 14, 2021

On: Disney+

Starring: Olivia Rodrigo, Joshua Bassett, Matt Cornett, Sofia Wylie, Larry Saperstein, Julia Lester, Dara Reneé, Frankie Rodriguez, Mark St. Cyr, Kate Reinders, Joe Serafini, Alexis Nelis, Alex Quijano, Derek Hough, Olivia Rose Keegan, Roman Banks & Andrew Barth Feldman

Everyone knew the second season of High School Musical – The Musical: The Series was going to be wild. While filming halted due to COVID, lead stars Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett had a highly publicized breakup, which led to major changes in their characters’ arcs.

Nini (Rodrigo) moves to Denver to attend a performing arts school, which causes her and Ricky (Bassett) to have a long-distance relationship. Miss Jenn (Kate Reinders) chooses Beauty and the Beast to be the spring musical so they can enter the coveted Menkie Awards and compete against her former high school flame Zack (Derek Hough).

In many ways, the season feels bigger and better. Pushing the music outside of the High School Musical realm allows to show the strength of many cast members, especially Julia Lester and Dara Reneé.

Final say: A strong second act. ★★★★☆