Netflix has revealed that The Politician is set to premiere its second season on June 19th, according to Deadline. The dark comedy series makes its return less than a year after its debut on Netflix in September 2019. The second season is comprised of seven episodes, all of which concluded filming before the coronavirus outbreak.
Actor Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hansen) plays the lead character Payton Hobert, a wealthy Californian who strives to be the president of the United States one day. But first, he must explore the political landscape of high school as he runs for student body president. Platt shared the new poster for The Politician on Instagram, which features some key characters involved in the political race depicted in the show.
The upcoming season follows an older and more mature Payton as he moves on from high school politics to a much grander scheme: the New York State Senate. Payton runs against the long-time and highly praised Senate Majority Leader Dede Standish and her Chief of Staff Hadassah Gold, played by Judith Light (Lombardi) and Bette Midler (Hello, Dolly!) respectively. As he questions the moral compass of his own character, his mother Georgina Hobart, played by Gwyneth Paltrow (Iron Man franchise), makes a decision that could risk Payton’s candidacy.
Zoey Deutch (Set It Up), Lucy Boynton (Bohemian Rhapsody), Laura Dreyfuss (Dear Evan Hansen), Theo Germaine (Holy Trinity) and Julia Schlaepfer (Charlie Says) make appearances in the season as well.
Whereas the first season pivoted on Payton’s ambition, the second season will address authenticity and growth. The series’ synopsis puts it best by saying, “The Politician offers a comedic and satirical glimpse into just what it takes to be a politician.”
Executive producer and creator Ryan Murphy spoke with Collider’s Steve Weintraub and confirmed that the show will last three seasons, with the third season likely being delayed in production. Murphy revealed that it would allow Platt to “get a little bit older for his final race.”