Renewals: What kidcasters reupped in September

Disney is leaning into mysteries, musicals and psychics; ViacomCBS goes for revivals and side hustles; and Netflix sticks with Chris Nee's latest shows.
October 4, 2021

School’s in session, and Disney+ has greenlit a third season of High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. New episodes of this live-action mockumentary will see the students of East High head to summer camp, but Disney+ has not shared any details yet about the new season’s format or release date. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series premiered in 2019, and was renewed for a second season in 2020.

The streamer has also ordered season two of The Mysterious Benedict Society. Based on the bestselling book series by Trenton Lee Stewart, the first season (eight x one hours) premiered earlier this year and follows four orphans who are recruited by an eccentric benefactor to carry out a top-secret undercover mission. Season two will go into production in early 2022, led by showrunners Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavin. The Mysterious Benedict Society is produced by 20th Television in association with Halcyon Studios—a Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment Company, which scooped up the show as part of its acquisition of Sonar’s assets in April.

On the linear side of things, Disney Channel has ordered a fifth season Raven’s Home. Starring Raven-Symoné as Raven Baxter and Isaac Ryan as her son Booker, the new season will continue the adventures of two psychics who catch glimpses of future mishaps. Aimed at kids ages six to 14, the series is a spin-off of That’s so Raven, which ran from 2003 to 2007. Production on the new season resumes this fall, though there was no information yet on a premiere date or format.

Paramount+ has ordered a second season of its Rugrats revival from Nickelodeon Animation Studio that will see the franchise’s iconic characters turn everyday baby activities into epic misadventures. The CG-animated series is executive produced by Kate Boutilier and Casey Leonard, with senior manager of current series animation Mollie Freilich overseeing production for Nickelodeon. Paramount+ has also greenlit a 30-minute Halloween special that will launch on October 7 with additional season one episodes.

In live-action news, Nickelodeon started airing a 20 x 22-minute second season of Side Hustle (pictured) on October 2. This buddy comedy about two friends who take on different odd jobs to make money so they can fix a boat they accidentally destroyed was created by showrunner and EP Dave Malkoff (Henry Danger), with  John Beck and Ron Hart (Fuller House) also executive producing.

And Nick is also leaning into animation trivia with a second-season greenlight for live-action competition series Tooned In. Jack Martin (The Misery Index) is executive producer and showrunner, with production oversight from Nickelodeon’s Ashley Kaplan (SVP of digital studios), Paul Medford (VP of unscripted current series) and Luke Wahl (VP of digital studios).

In addition to ordering a number of new preschool shows last week, Netflix has also renewed two Chris Nee-led series. CG-animated preschool series Ridley Jones is coming back in November, and a second season of Ada Twist, Scientist is slated to launch in 2022.  Created and exec produced by Nee, Ridley Jones (six x 22 minutes) premiered in July and follows along with its titular character on nightly adventures at the Museum of Natural History. Ada Twist, Scientist stars a curious girl who aspires to discover the answers to absolutely every question of science. Developed for TV for Nee through her Laughing Wild prodco, other producers include Higher Ground and Wonder Worldwide, and Kerri Grant is on board as showrunner. Season one (40 x 12 minutes) premiered last month. There was no information at press time on an episode count for either of these renewed series.

With files from Ryan Tuchow

About The Author
Alexandra Whyte is Kidscreen's News & Social Media Editor. Contact her at awhyte@brunico.com

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