Janet’s Massive School Spirits Season 3 Episode 1 Twist Broken Down By Stars

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Be warned, this contains spoilers for the first three episodes of School Spirits season 3! The new season is shaping up to be the most intense yet. Simon is now stuck among the ghosts, and a dangerous portal has been found beneath the school. On top of that, the students of Split River are still dealing with Janet’s sudden departure. She left the afterlife she helped build to try and help Simon, but now the others are without her guidance and brilliant ideas.

Season 3 brings in new characters, including Jennifer Tilly as Superintendent Hunter Price, who quickly creates chaos. She announces Split River High is about to close, giving the ghosts trapped there a limited time to solve the mystery of their confinement.

ScreenRant spoke with the cast of School Spirits about key moments in the show, including Janet’s arrival in the afterlife. Nick Pugliese and Miles Elliot talked about the challenges facing Charley and Yuri’s relationship, and Ci Hang Ma and Sarah Yorkin shared insights into the individual and combined journeys of Quinn and Rhonda. Spencer MacPherson, Rainbow Wedell, and Kiara Prichardo updated fans on the status of the show’s living students. Tilly hinted at her character’s turn towards villainy, and Josh Zuckerman explained the reasoning behind Mr. Martin’s sometimes controversial decisions.

School Spirits Cast React To Season 3’s Major Character Departure

The season 2 finale of School Spirits led viewers to believe Wally would be the one to move on to the afterlife, so it was a shock when Janet made that choice instead at the start of season 3. All of the ghosts were surprised and upset by this, each in their own way. According to Manheim, Wally actually had a plan to fix things that included her, which mirrored how Ma felt about Quinn’s potential role in solving the problem.

Ci Hang Ma believes Janet’s departure deeply affected all the ghosts. Quinn admired Janet and stepped up as a leader after Maddie was gone, guiding the group until she left as well. It felt like a loss – suddenly someone who was present is no longer there, and everyone has to adjust.

Honestly, it’s thrown everything into chaos! It’s like, the one person who really understood what was going on with the ghosts is gone, and now the rest of us are just scrambling, trying to manage things with whatever limited knowledge we have. It’s a total mess, but we’re doing our best!

Meanwhile, Yorkin was more focused on Rhonda’s emotional attachment to Janet.

Sarah Yarkin felt the season started in a surprising and shocking way, and she definitely didn’t expect it.

It seems like Janet is making one final, desperate attempt to fix things, believing this is her only option. Rhonda is deeply affected, experiencing shock and, because she knows the full story, a lot of pain. She immediately asks about Janet, but I think she already knows where she is. It’s a difficult realization, especially after everything we’ve all been through together. The whole situation is just unbelievable.

It’s ironic that Janet’s desperate attempt to fix things actually leaves everyone feeling worse than before. However, there’s a glimmer of hope, as Elliot connects Yuri’s brave decision at the end of episode 3 to Janet leaving – suggesting a possible reason or connection.

Everyone was really surprised by what happened, and it’s heartbreaking for the characters involved. Jess [Gabor, who plays Janet] and I often discussed how Yuri and Janet already had a long-standing friendship – they’d known each other for years before the events unfolded.

Yuri clearly admired Janet’s intelligence, so when she left, it made him realize how limited his afterlife had become. He’d avoided taking chances and hadn’t really lived. Janet’s courageous decision strangely motivates him, giving him the push he needs to finally confront his past – and enter his scar. It’s a significant turning point for Yuri.

I’ve always been struck by how deeply Mr. Martin felt things. Even though he caused Janet so much suffering in the afterlife, it was clear he genuinely cared for her. It’s a really complex and heartbreaking dynamic, and it always stuck with me.

Mr. Martin and Janet arrived in the afterlife together, and as far as they knew, they were the first ones there. It’s complicated because Janet is Martin’s oldest and closest friend – she’s been his confidant for a very long time, both when he was alive and now as a ghost. They had a long history together before Rhonda came into the picture, creating a really strong connection between them.

When Janet decided to leave, it felt like losing a part of the family – deeply painful, like a loss. Mr. Martin is absolutely devastated by her departure.

Jennifer Tilly Teases New School Spirits Villain & “Apocalyptic” Scale Of Season 3

Photo Credit: Ed Araquel/Paramount+

Tilly immediately made an impact in the third season premiere of School Spirits as Superintendent Hunter-Price. She first announced the high school would be closing in a year, and then surprised viewers by being revealed as the mother of the school’s biggest bully. The well-respected actress was thrilled with the role and hinted that there’s more to her character than meets the eye.

When I first read the script, I was told my character would appear in multiple episodes, and I immediately sensed something deeply unsettling about her. I realized she wasn’t just a typical villain – there was something seriously troubled about this woman. As the show unfolds, you’ll see she has a very dark side. She seems to draw negative energy to her, and it’s clear she’s quite self-absorbed. You’ll also find out she’s extremely greedy.

The first episode immediately shows she’s a neglectful mother. When her daughter tries to connect with her, she dismisses her, saying she’s too busy. This explains a lot about why Livia, played brilliantly by Erika Swayze, grows up to be unkind – she lacks any real support or guidance from a parent.

It’s a fantastic role! Playing villains is always more enjoyable, and I’m really loving my time working on this show.

While Hunter-Price’s plans for Split River might appear unrelated to the problems at school and in town, Tilly warned that negative energy draws in negative influences. It’s probable her story will connect with the evil Mr. Martin has been foreshadowing, which explains the ominous atmosphere of season 3.

Jennifer Tilly says the scripts for the show are incredibly complex and imaginative. Each new script surprises the cast, and she often wonders how they’ll actually film such complicated scenes. Season 3 features some large-scale, dramatic apocalyptic moments that she believes audiences will love. She feels the creators had a clear vision for the show’s atmosphere and explored many different ways to achieve it.

Even though the story deals with dark and scary themes, it’s also quite funny. It’s about high school students, and I think audiences connect with them because the actors are all fantastic, and the characters themselves are really well-developed.

Zuckerman fully agreed with his colleague, praising the creative team for knowing how to maximize the impact of the show’s upcoming spooky scenes.

It’s amazing what the team has achieved with this show, from the detailed sets to the clever plot twists. I really think viewers are going to love where the story is headed.

The show successfully maintains everything fans loved about the first two seasons, especially the connection with the main characters. On top of that, it builds a fascinating and increasingly complex story that really elevates the whole experience – it’s quite an accomplishment and genuinely impressive.

School Spirits Season 3: Charley & Yuri’s Romantic Roadblocks Explained By Stars

Charley and Yuri shared a sweet romance in season 2 of School Spirits, but things started to fall apart when Charley’s scar became known. This, combined with the revelation in season 3 that Yuri had a past relationship with a woman – and possibly a child – made Charley increasingly insecure. The situation worsened when Yuri wouldn’t discuss his own scar, even after Janet asked him to in her goodbye letter, creating a lot of tension between them.

In the first episode, we explore a sense of imbalance in the relationship. Yuri has witnessed Charley’s deepest vulnerabilities and a physical scar, but hasn’t shared anything personal about himself with Charley – he’s keeping things to himself, and holding back.

Charley struggles with deep-seated insecurities, which were prominent in the first two seasons of the show. While it seems he’s overcome them now that he’s found love, those insecurities actually resurface and become even more complex within a relationship. It’s interesting to see how this dynamic plays out between him and his partner – it was a challenging but enjoyable aspect of the role to portray, even if it might not always be easy for viewers to watch.

Though the latest episode hinted at a major development for Yuri, Elliot believes their characters still have issues to resolve. Both actors agreed that portraying this complex relationship was a rewarding experience.

Miles Elliot explained that the show delves into the contrast between the characters, noting it’s challenging because Charley and Yuri are so different. Charley is very open and easily shares his feelings, even his vulnerabilities, while Yuri struggles to reveal his true self and insecurities.

Both Charley and Yuri challenge each other throughout their relationship. Charley encourages Yuri to be more open and feel secure, while Yuri helps Charley learn to trust. The story effectively shows how they navigate different ways of communicating and manage those challenges in a relationship, and I think it does so realistically.

Ci Hang Ma Previews More Layers To Quinn’s School Spirits Season 3 Journey

Photo Credit: Katie Yu/Paramount+

I’m really hooked on School Spirits! The first three episodes did a great job of solving the mystery of the bus crash – it turns out Mr. Martin actually appeared right in front of the driver, which caused the whole thing. But beyond that, it was so meaningful to see Quinn finally get to share their identity as nonbinary. The actress, Ma, has hinted that Quinn’s journey is just beginning, and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

I was aware of their gender identity and had some idea of their personal journey from the beginning. When I auditioned, I believe the show was specifically seeking a genderqueer actor for the role, but we didn’t get a chance to delve into that aspect in the second season – there just wasn’t enough time.

It’s been a challenging but rewarding experience watching Quinn grow. I’m so happy they now have the freedom to express who they truly are and be accepted for it. Their journey with gender is ongoing, and while they’re still navigating things, they’ve become much stronger and more self-assured. They’ve learned that being authentic brings deeper connection with others – people appreciate and love you more when you’re brave enough to be yourself.

Rhonda is a close friend to Quinn, and her support has been incredibly helpful recently. People might be surprised by this, as Rhonda often comes across as tough and reserved, but the show’s creator, Yorkin, explains her connection to Quinn is understandable and genuine.

When Quinn shows up, Rhonda immediately becomes curious and intrigued. There’s something appealing about Quinn’s naiveté – Rhonda is both bothered and maybe even a little charmed by what Quinn doesn’t know.

It’s fascinating when you feel an immediate connection with someone without understanding why. It reminds me of growing up – knowing people for years, since childhood even – and realizing they already have a fixed idea of who you are, making it hard to show them a different side of yourself. Quinn feels like a fresh start for Rhonda, someone she can get to know without any preconceived notions.

Maddie’s Living Friends Are Doing Their Best To Help In School Spirits Season 3

Although Maddie has returned, Simon’s capture continues to cause problems for Xavier, Claire, and Nicole. Each of these three friends is determined to help those they care about, but they’re approaching the situation in different ways this season. According to Prichardo, Nicole is particularly confused and unsure of what to do.

This season focuses on Nicole reconnecting with a friend she’s been trying to help for a long time. Over the past two seasons, she went to great lengths – even resorting to digging, hiding money, stealing, lying, and blackmail – all to save her friend.

This season, we’re focused on keeping her safe, especially since she’s staying with us while still communicating with spirits. It’s really just Claire and me supporting her as we deal with everything, and also trying to find a way to bring Simon back.

Wedell explained that a key part of Claire’s story in season 3 was her ability to mend things with Maddie and rebuild their friendship. However, unlike her other friends, Claire still lacks any family support, which, according to Wedell, deeply affects her.

I’ve been watching Rainbow this season, and it’s been tough. It’s clear her parents really pushed her to be perfect, and she’s had to deal with some really difficult conversations because of it. She’s had a lot of family struggles, but it’s great to see her finally having someone supportive she can rely on – someone who wasn’t there for her before.

When Nicole welcomed Claire into her life and became her chosen family, it allowed Claire to open up and be more herself. She could finally let go of the expectations and labels others had placed on her and truly discover who she is.

You know, Prichardo really hit the nail on the head when talking about working with Nicole. He said it wasn’t just about acting, but actually building trust – that sisterly connection they formed helped them both feel more comfortable and learn from each other. And you really see that play out in this storyline they have, it’s like a Mean Girls vibe where Claire has to coach Nicole on how to infiltrate the popular group and figure out who’s been picking on Maddie. It’s fun to watch because you can feel that genuine support between them.

Claire really shines by demonstrating her understanding of these girls and their personalities. Initially, she’s a bit concerned about Nicole, but quickly realizes Nicole is capable. My favorite part is watching them get ready – the makeup, the preparation, everything leading up to the undercover operation is fantastic.

Spencer’s ability to communicate with ghosts at the hospital proves vital in uncovering the details of the bus crash. More personally, it gives Maddie the chance to finally speak with her father, who passed away a long time ago. The actor playing MacPherson shared his thoughts on how meaningful those scenes were for his character.

Xavier can now communicate with the ghosts at the hospital, which uniquely positions him to help Maddie deal with the pain of losing her father. Their connection is special, and we’ll see their relationship develop in a really compelling way this season.

This experience completely shifts how Xavier sees himself. He used to feel ordinary, possibly due to his father’s influence. But now that he has this new ability, he’s determined to use it to do good – to help Maddie and rescue Simon. It’s great to see him find his purpose and step into that role.

In season 3, the people of Split River—both those still alive and those who have passed on—are equipped with the strength and connections they need to overcome their personal struggles, no matter how deep-rooted those problems may be.

Check out our previous season 3 interviews here:

  • Showrunners Megan & Nate Trinrud
  • Peyton List & Milo Manheim

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2026-02-01 23:17