Cheer season 2: cast of Netflix series with Gabi Butler and Monica Aldama, and what Jerry Harris is accused of

Netflix docu-series Cheer sky-rocketed when it dropped on the streaming platform back in 2020.

The series follows the immensely talented and driven cheer squad of Navarro College in Corsicana, who are famed for their skilled routines and outgoing personalities.

Season two drops on Netflix this January and follows directly on from series one and the stardom the students faced after it aired.

So, who will return for season two and why is star of season one Jerry Harris not in the upcoming series? This is what you need to know.

When is Cheer season 2 released on Netflix?

Season two will be available on Netflix UK from 12 January.

All nine episodes will be available as a boxset, meaning you can binge watch the entire season!

Cheer season 2 cast

Coach Monica Aldama

Fans of the series will be glad to know that Coach Monica Aldama will return to the series as she helps the cheer squad deal with the pressures of cheer, exams and everything life throws at them.

Following the controversy surrounding the star of series one, Jerry Harris, she will also be seen dealing with the social media backlash. The covid pandemic also adds pressure to the mix, as the 2020 championship season is thrown into disarray.

Lexi Brumback

The extremely talented tumbler is back, embracing her newfound fame as she enjoys the national recognition which followed season one.

Now 21 years old, Lexi has matured since she first hit our screen and returns to the squad after season one concluded with her being thrown off the team for getting into trouble with the police.

Gabi Butler

Butler was one of the most well known members of the Cheer squad, as she was a YouTuber before season one.

While she continues to appear on the docu-series, she is now a member of the Weber State University cheer team in Ogden, Utah.

La’Darius Marshall

Marshall is originally from Florida and became a big hit when he appeared in season one of Cheer.

Marshall’s mother suffered from addiction and was imprisoned during his childhood. He also struggled in season one with telling his brothers he is gay and also that he experienced sexual abuse.

He was originally not very well known, but a video of him did go viral when he was tumbling as a teenager.

His larger than life personality secured him as an audience favourite back in the debut season.

Morgan Simianer

It’s her final year on the team, and Morgan finds herself exhausted juggling media appearances and team practice in season two.

Since filming wrapped on season two, she has since bought an apartment in Dallas.

Also returning is Dillon Brandt, Vontae Johnson, Jada Wooten and Jeron Hazelwood.

Newcomers for season two include Massachusetts born Maddy Brum who recently joined Navarro and is one of the best all around athletes on the team.

Cassadee Dunlap is another newbie, a former child pageant star who credits herself with the ability to smile through the pain. Gillian Rupert is another promising young talent and member of the rookie class, and is expected to be another star of the mat.

Where is Jerry Harris?

Star of season one Jerry Harris will be notably absent from the season two, as he has been charged with production of child pornography.

The FBI announced in September 2020 that it had a warrant out for Harris for soliciting sex from minors, he was later arrested.

The case involves twin brothers who were thirteen when Harris, nineteen at the time, allegedly sent suggestive messages asking for pictures and seeking sex.

Harris has reportedly admitted to soliciting and receiving explicit messages on Snapchat from 10 to 15 individuals he knew were minors and having sex with a minor at a cheerleading event.

However, he has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges and a date has still to be set.

The trailer of season two shows him being arrested by FBI and what appears to be coach Monica Aldama’s response as she finds out.

She has since disclosed how he wrote her a letter in which she said he did not appear to be aware of the severity of his actions.

In season two, she explains: “He wrote me a letter and it was hard to read, his letter was so optimistic.

“Like there was not one negative thing in this letter. He said that he hopes to one day be a motivational speaker.”

Aldama added that while she “loved him like [her] own child” and wanted to be supportive, she was “so disappointed.”

“I have all these emotions that are just fighting each other,” she tells the cameras.

Cheer director, Greg Whiteley, said Harris’ arrest was one of several “difficult moments” the show will explore, along with the pandemic’s impact on the Navarro cheerleading team.