Yes, School Spirits season 2 is happening: Everything to know so far

I don’t think anybody was expecting School Spirits season 1 to make its way to Netflix since it was already streaming on Paramount+. But in a surprise move, the first season was licensed to Netflix and was released on the streaming platform on Nov. 30. Now that some time has passed, most people have already watched the entire first season and are wondering about a School Spirits season 2.

Well, we have good news on that front. The supernatural teen drama series has already been renewed for a second season. This news came three months after the show premiered on Paramount+.

Sadly, not much information is known about School Spirits season 2 just yet. But we shared everything we know so far down below. Of course, you can count on us to constantly update this space with any new details about the new season as we find out.

In June 2023, it was reported that School Spirits had been renewed for a second season. There had been many show cancellations throughout 2023 especially Netflix cancellations, so it made sense for many people to be nervous about the teen series fate. Luckily, the show wasn’t given the boot and instead will return with a brand new season in the future.

But we shouldn’t be totally surprised by the show’s renewal since most critics and viewers alike enjoyed the series. School Spirits season 1 currently holds an 83% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes and a 92% audience score.

Here’s what Variety‘s chief TV critic Daniel D’Addario said about season 1:

"“Without losing sight of the sorrow of Maddie’s story, School Spirits manages to be surprisingly sparky and fun — proof positive that there are new stories to tell about the institution no one would ever want to be stuck in for their entire afterlife.”"

TV and movie critic John Anderson with the Wall Street Journal had this to say about the first season.

"“School Spirits, which recalls The Lovely Bones, albeit with a far less dreadful tone, is entertaining and Ms. List is magnetic.”"

Shauna Phelan, executive vp and co-head of Nickelodeon and Awesomeness live-action series and films, had this to say about the show’s renewal.

"“We saw how engaged the fans of the show were, and we’re really excited about not only the creative direction of the show [in season one], but the promise of the creative direction we’re aware of in the second season. The audience responding to the show so positively and so passionately made it an easy call for us. We’re very excited to have the opportunity to make a second season.”"

While Paramount+ has not revealed the total viewership numbers for the first season, Domenic DiMeglio, chief marketing officer and head of data for Paramount Streaming, told The Hollywood Reporter that they “were more than happy with the viewership” they were able to bring for the teen series.

When is School Spirits season 2 filming?

When the season 2 renewal was announced, it was also revealed that production on the second season would start in 2024. Unfortunately, an exact start date was not announced, but we think there’s a good chance the cameras could start rolling sometime in early 2024.

The first season was reportedly filmed from Aug. 15, 2022, to Nov. 3, 2022, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This means filming took 2 months and 19 days. It could possibly take the same amount of time for season 2. Once we find more details about the season 2 production schedule, we’ll make sure to share them right away.

When could the second season come out?

It’s still too early in the filmmaking process for an official release date, but we have a prediction. After production wrapped up on the first season in November 2022, four months later, the first season premiered on Paramount+.

Let’s say production on season 2 was to begin in early 2024 and wrap sometime in April 2024 or May 2024. Four months later from the wrap date would put the release date somewhere in August 2024 or September 2024. So, a late summer or early fall 2024 release. But again, this is just a release prediction. School Spirits season 2 could come out later than what we predicted. We’ll definitely share the official release date once it’s announced.

Spoilers from School Spirits season 1 ahead.

How does School Spirits season 1 end?

The first season ends with Maddie finally figuring out how she died. Well, we find out that really she’s still alive, but somebody else is possessing her body. We cut to a flashback on the day that Maddie supposedly died. As Maddie hides in the boiler room of the school, she overhears an argument in a room near her. She goes to open the door to the other room and sees Mr. Martin arguing with Janet. Janet, a spirit who hasn’t crossed over yet, runs through Maddie, taking over her body and kicking her out.

So, Maddie is actually alive, but Janet is in her physical body. Her spirit is trapped at the high school because that is where the spirit possession took place.

Here are some more things that happened in the season 1 finale:

• We find out that Mr. Martin can’t be trusted and knows more than he lets on. Not only did he know about what happened to Maddie, but he was also involved in Janet’s death.
• We find out that the real reason that Simon can talk to Maddie is because Maddie isn’t really dead.
• Janet, in Maddie’s body, runs over Xavier in a truck, seriously injuring him. Nicole records a video of the person in the truck and notices that it’s Maddie. This leads Simon and everyone else to believe that Maddie faked her death and has been causing all the trouble when really it’s Janet. Simon shows Maddie the video and confronts her. Although Maddie tries to plead her case, Simon doesn’t hear her out and decides to part ways with her.
• Janet, in Maddie’s body, gets on a bus and leaves Split River.

Who could return in the second season?

An official season 2 cast list has not been revealed yet, but we have an idea of who could return. Obviously, Peyton List would likely return as the protagonist, Maddie Nears. Kristian Flores (Simon), Milo Manheim (Wally), Spencer MacPherson (Xavier), Kiara Pichardo (Nicole), Sarah Yarkin (Rhonda), Nick Pugliese (Charley), Rainbow Wedell (Claire), and Josh Zuckerman (Mr. Martin) will likely come back too based on how things ended with their characters at the end of the first season.

There will probably be new cast members for season 2 as well. We’ll share who they are as they are announced. Additionally, creators Megan Trinrud and Nate Trinrud and showrunner Oliver Goldstick are set to return for season 2.

Could School Spirits season 2 come to Netflix?

It’s possible, but it’ll have to finish streaming on its streaming home first, which is Paramount+. Once all the episodes of season 2 have dropped on Paramount+., then it could possibly make its way to Netflix later on. However, Netflix will have to acquire the streaming rights from Paramount in order for it to receive the new season. We’ll let you know if this ever happens.

Stay tuned to Netflix Life for more information on School Spirits season 2!