High School Musical: the Musical: The Series season 2: what is the new season of the Disney+ teen show about?

All of season one's main characters are expected to return to East High (Picture: Disney+)

Disney+’s hit teen series, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series (HSMTMTS), has been released after the Covid pandemic put production on hold.

The show came dancing onto Disney’s streaming site in 2020 and offered a fresh adaptation of the award-winning Disney film sequel.

No, Troy Bolton and Gabriella Montez are not characters of the show (they’d be at least 30 now) but it is still worth watching.

So, what is it about and who is in the cast? This is what you need to know.

What is the series about?

Season two is set to pick up exactly where the first season ended, with students at East High finally told by Miss Jenn that their spring performance will be of Beauty and the Beast the musical.

As students prepare to audition and rehearse for their show, viewers will find out if Nini accepts her offer to study out of state - will she tell Ricky and how will this affect their relationship?

Fans of the show might finally get answers as to how Big Red and Ashlyn's relationship unfolds, following their kiss in season one.

Kourtney will finally reveal her singing talents by auditioning for the musical and fans will get to learn more about Carlos and Seb, as well as what happens in the E.J. and Gina situation.

The show’s writer and producer, Tim Federle told ET: "I know we’ve got some Rina stans out there, and I’m hoping this show has five or seven seasons so we’ll see where they all end up."

He also teased that we could learn more about Miss Jenn's "romantic situation".

Who is in the HSMTMTS season 2 cast?

It would appear that all of the season one cast will return, including Olivia Rodrigo (Nini), Joshua Bassett (Ricky), Matt Cornett (E.J), Sofia Wylie (Gina), Larry Sapperstein (Big Red), Julia Lester (Ashlyn), Dara Renée (Kourtney), Frankie Rodriguez (Carlos Rodriguez), Mark St Cyr. (Mr. Benjamin Mazzara) and Kate Reinders (Miss Jenn).

Rodrigo could be written out if she decides to take up her offer of attending performing arts school, but there is no suggestion that will happen in the upcoming series.

Some fans were concerned that this season could also see Wylie's character Gina moving to Salt Lake City.

On that matter, Federle told ET: "It's hard for me to imagine doing season two without Sofia Wylie,” so we can expect her to feature in season two.

He also said Serafini will be returning as a more prominent cast member, adding: "Seb is stepping up as a series regular"

Federle hinted at new students and teachers attending East High, "there are new faces and people to meet,” he said.

When is HSMTMTS season 2 released?

Producers at Disney+ knew the show would be a hit even before season one was released, commissioning a second helping in October last year.

Filming of the second season began in February last year, but was delayed due to Covid - therefore the release was also halted.

Disney+ have then released a special one-off episode, High School Musical: The Musical: The Holiday Special, which premiered on 11 December 2020.

Producers have now announced that the highly anticipated season 2 will be released on 14 May.