Classes Have Resumed
The return of “School Spirits” for a new season on Wednesday has fans buzzing, eager to analyze every plot twist in this supernatural teen drama.
Before Season 3 kicks off, the cast reflects on some of the most outlandish theories they’ve come across from dedicated viewers.
Chiara Pichardo, who portrays Nicole, mentioned, “Some fans really seem to grasp what’s going to happen—sometimes even before we do.” She added, “It’s not common, but there are definitely a few.”
“School Spirits” centers on Maddie (played by Peyton List), a teenage girl navigating the afterlife while trying to unravel her own mysterious disappearance. As she adapts to her new reality and its own school dynamics, Maddie uncovers a web of secrets and lies.
Throughout her journey at Split River High, Maddie interacts with various spirits, including characters like Wally (Milo Manheim), Rhonda (Sarah Yakin), Janet (Jess Gabor), Charlie (Nick Pugliese), Quinn (Chihan Ma), Yuri (Miles Elliott), and Mr. Martin (Josh Zuckerman).
In the living world, Maddie’s friends—Nicole, Xavier (Spencer MacPherson), Simon (Christian Ventura), and Claire (Rainbow Wedell)—are actively trying to piece together the mystery.
Also involved are Maddie’s mom Sandra, played by Maria Dizia, and high school teacher Mr. Anderson, portrayed by Patrick Gilmore.
Pichardo noted, “I saw theories suggesting Simon was trapped in the spirit world. It’s wild how fans can predict stuff like that before the reveal.”
McPherson recalled interesting fan theories about Mr. Anderson’s possession in Season 2. “Rewatching those episodes, I thought, ‘Wow, that makes sense now!’” he commented.
Elliott admitted to occasionally peeking at his character’s reception on Reddit. “Before Season 2 premiered, I had to stop reading all that feedback. I got a bit obsessed!” he said. “Fans thought Yuri might be the villain, which added an interesting layer to his character.”
Reflecting on her character, Marr mentioned how viewers speculated about Quinn’s potential as a sinister figure. “When Quinn appeared, some fans said, ‘Something’s off about her,’ which was fascinating.”
Interestingly, fan theories date back to the show’s inception. “In Season 1, hints about Janet were dropped, but few people noticed until later. I love how fans pick up on these details,” Pichardo shared.
As the new season approaches, new characters will haunt the halls of Split River, including an intimidating school principal. Jennifer Tilly joins the cast as Dr. Deborah Hunter-Pryce, fitting seamlessly into the paranormal theme.
Elliott praised her professionalism, recalling their first day on set: “We were all smiles, ready to take photos. Her enthusiasm was infectious, making the filming experience a delight.”
Wedell remarked on Tilly’s incredible performance, saying, “She commands attention with her voice, bringing out that eerie atmosphere.”
McPherson added, “Her improvisation kept us all on our toes, throwing in unexpected humor.”
Zuckerman, too, found her character’s dynamic engaging: “Tilly adds a wonderfully antagonistic flavor to the show.”
Tilly explained her initial interest in the role, expressing admiration for the script and the talented cast. “I was so excited to join this cult favorite, especially after being part of ‘Chucky.’”
Having appeared in several Chucky films, Tilly shared, “I felt I brought my fanbase along with me to this awesome new show. Dr. Hunter-Pryce is intriguing—a little evil, perhaps, which is just fun to portray. Each week, I looked forward to discovering her fate.”
Offering a hint about her character’s arc, Tilly teased, “Everything she faces feels like hitting a wall. The scenarios are unbelievable, especially toward the season’s end.”
Season 3 of “School Spirits” premieres on Wednesday, January 28, exclusively on Paramount+.
