Olivia Rodrigo will return for High School Musical: The Musical: The Series season 3 on Disney+ despite her busy year in the music industry. The teen-drama musical show is a spiritual follow-up to the ever-popular 2000s High School Musical film trilogy which launched the careers of Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens. In the new series, the students of the school where the in-universe movies were filmed stage their own production of the story and drama ensues among the cast of students. Following a successful streaming launch on Disney+ in 2019, the musical series has recently wrapped its second season.
Rodrigo, a Disney child-star turned pop sensation, has starred in the show from the start as conflicted performer Nini. Having first appeared as a teen actress on Disney’s Bisaardvark in the 2010s, Rodrigo’s star part in the High School Musical series saw her relaunched into stardom. Earlier this year, she also boosted her career as a pop artist, smashing up the charts with her debut album Sour at the youthful age of 18. With hit singles including Deja Vu and Good 4 U, the star has had one of the most successful years in the entertainment industry, and has even been named Time Magazine’s 2021 Entertainer of the Year.
Speaking to Time following the award, the singer discusses her rollercoaster year. During the article, the magazine confirms that Rodrigo is returning to the Disney musical series for its upcoming third season. It comes as a surprise to some, with her skyrocketing music career expected to eclipse her more humble beginnings on the Disney+ show. Nonetheless, the interview turned analysis states “she’ll return for Season 3 of the High School Musical series” as well as confirming it will start filming “in January” of next year. The throwaway comment is big news in context, as it seemingly breaks the news that Rodrigo is due to return, contrary to online speculation.
Rumors were swirling following the conclusion of season 2 that fans may have seen the last of Olivia’s beloved Nini and that the star may not come back in order to focus on her breakout album success. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case. Despite this, co-star Joshua Bassett confirmed earlier this month that he hasn’t spoken to Rodrigo in over a year, further proving her busier schedule. Nonetheless, the show has officially been renewed for a third season, which is confirmed to drop on the streaming platform at some point in 2022.
The news will be welcomed by many fans of the show and Rodrigo, bringing some much-needed reassurance to any Nina-fanatics that they haven’t seen the last of the leading lady. The successful meta-musical show has had a strong start on Disney+, resonating with fans old and new, and has even spawned holiday specials. Rodrigo’s return will likely only serve to boost the show’s popularity even more following her momentous year in the music industry. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series season 3 releases next year, but in the meantime, the first two seasons are streaming now on Disney+.
