One of ‘The Studio’s’ Biggest Breakout Stars Is Returning for Season 2
Apple TV+’s awards darling has had a busy year off-screen, from a record-setting Emmy haul to the sudden loss of one of its stars. Now, as the show’s second season quietly moves toward a spring premiere, fans have been combing through every red carpet and podcast appearance for hints about who else is coming back.
‘The Studio‘ turned into one of the most decorated debut seasons in television history, racking up 23 Emmy nominations and eventually walking away with 13 wins, including Outstanding Comedy Series. Much of that acclaim centered on the show’s rotating cast of celebrity cameos, with one guest star in particular becoming a genuine breakout.
That guest star is Dave Franco, and according to a report from journalist Josh Horowitz, he is officially set to return for ‘The Studio’ Season 2. It is the clearest confirmation yet that Franco’s unhinged, scene-stealing turn as a heightened version of himself will factor into the show’s sophomore run.
Franco’s Season 1 arc became one of the show’s most talked-about threads, culminating in a two-part finale where his character showed up to CinemaCon in an unforgettable state. That performance earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, a rare feat for an actor essentially playing an exaggerated version of himself rather than a scripted character.
Franco is currently making the press rounds for a different project entirely. His new comedy ‘Idiots,’ directed by Macon Blair and co-starring O’Shea Jackson Jr. and Mason Thames, hit theaters on August 28. The film follows two down-on-their-luck drivers hired to transport a wealthy, troubled teenager to rehab, only for the job to spiral into chaos.
That press tour has put Franco in front of plenty of cameras and microphones lately, which lines up with the timing of this ‘Studio’ update. Between talking up ‘Idiots,’ Franco has also mentioned that his next project behind the camera is likely to be a horror film, following his 2020 directorial debut ‘The Rental.’
As for ‘The Studio’ itself, Season 2 has already been through a lot. Production began filming in January, with Seth Rogen telling reporters at a BAFTA TV Awards event that the new season is “far more ambitious” than the first, though also more difficult to pull off behind the scenes. The season is now expected to premiere in March 2027.
The upcoming episodes will also have to grapple with real loss. Catherine O’Hara, who played studio executive Patty Leigh, died in January at the age of 71, and Rogen accepted a posthumous Golden Globe on her behalf earlier this year. New additions to the cast reportedly include Julia Garner, Madonna, Michael Keaton, and Donald Glover, joining a roster that already features Rogen, Kathryn Hahn, Ike Barinholtz, and Chase Sui Wonders.
Franco’s confirmed return slots neatly into that expanding ensemble, and it is easy to see why. His willingness to lean into absurdity, playing a version of himself pumped up to what he has previously described as an almost toxic level of positivity, gave Season 1 some of its most quotable moments. With ‘The Studio’ already boasting a 92% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes and a growing trophy case, bringing back one of its most memorable guest stars feels like an easy call.
Fans have been eager for any scrap of Season 2 information since filming wrapped, and this update gives them something concrete to hold onto while they wait for an official trailer. Between the returning cast, the star-studded new additions, and Franco’s chaotic energy locked back in, ‘The Studio’ looks poised to keep raising its own bar.
Are you excited to see Dave Franco return in The Studio Season 2?
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