Grand Army Season 2 - What We Know So Far

Grand Army has been available for viewing on Netflix since Oct. 16, 2020 — plenty of time for Netflix to greenlight a second season, even in COVID-19 times. However, the streaming giant hasn't done so yet, which has left fans wondering if the show is returning at all. Some are starting to get antsy on Twitter. A few are even threatening to drop Netflix if they don't get a second season of the series, which focuses on five diverse students at a large high school in Brooklyn. 

Based on the play Slut, by Katie Cappiello — who acts as showrunner — the nine episodes of Grand Army have focused on terrorism, politics, pranks, family issues, culture clashes, drug problems, sexual assault, and other current teen issues. It's already seen a bit of controversy, too, when three writers of color quit due to what Ming Pfeiffer called (in a tweet) "racist exploitation and abuse" on the set. Overall, although the series clearly has its passionate fans, reaction to the show has often been mixed. IndieWire, for example, noted that the show centers its white protagonist, and falls into clichés while trying too hard to be relevant to Gen Z. And while Netflix hasn't said anything about the show's ratings, it did land in Netflix's top 10 most-watched shows in October 2020 — but in last place (via Newsweek). All this makes the possibility of its return an option, but not a certainty. 

Unfortunately, things don't look great. According to Deadline, Netflix has officially canceled the series. In this era of platform hopping, that doesn't necessarily spell the end, but it's certainly not a good sign. Should another platform step up to the plate and order a second serving of "Grand Army," here's where the series might be headed.

As Grand Army can't start production until it's been approved for a second season — and there's no telling when that might happen, if it does — a release date is not forthcoming. Should Season 2 be greenlit today, and all the processes put into motion to get the actors back and put the production on track again, it still might take a while for the show to return.

According to Cinemaholic, the show was filmed in Toronto and New York between May and September of 2019. It then took another 13 months or so to make it to Netflix. Hopefully, this second time around it would not take so long, but you never know. Since a new platform has to get involved, it will likely take even longer. Fans shouldn't expect to see the show before 2023, if ever. 

Since season 2 hasn't yet been confirmed, there's no official cast list yet. Still, the five main members of the first season cast have all expressed a desire to come back. Amalia Yoo seemingly spoke for them all in an October 17 group interview with Entertainment Weekly, saying "We're ready." However, at the time, they all also had no clue if a return was forthcoming and definitely hoped Netflix was listening. The ball remains in Netflix's court.

The cast of the show includes Odessa A'zion as Joey Del Marco, who is also the main character from the source material, Slut. Odley Jean plays Dominique Pierre, a first-generation Haitian student. Amir Bageria plays Siddhartha Pakam, a gay Indian student who's on the swim team. Maliq Johnson is Jayson Jackson, a musical prodigy from Spanish Harlem. Rounding out the main cast is Amalia Yoo as a Chinese teenager adopted by Jewish parents named Leila Kwan Miller.

When asked what the show meant to the actors in a short Netflix interview posted to Twitter, Bageria said, "It means being properly, accurately represented" and also taking on "immense responsibility." A'zion added, "I hope that people will be able to take away the fact that there's always someone going through something ... You're not alone. But also, don't make other people's problems lesser than yours."

Clearly, the actors believe in the importance of the show, and it would be surprising if any of them declined an offer to come back. You can also expect plenty of the supporting characters to return, as their stories haven't necessarily been completed. Alphonso Romero II, Ashley Granger, Jaden Jordan, August Blanco Rosenstein and Zac Kara are among these cast members.

At the end of Season 1, plenty of storylines remained unresolved, including the aftermath of Joey's sexual assault. Tim (Thelonious Serrell-Freed) may very well turn on George (Anthony Ippolito) and Luke (Brian Altimus) to report their actions to the police. Fans should also find out more about Dom's internship and relationship with John (Romero), Sid's Harvard journey and relationship with Victor (Rosenstein) after being outed involuntarily, and whether Leila (Yoo), who sent an anonymous email threatening to bomb the school, may also see some repercussions once that information gets out. Additionally, a second season should investigate the way Jay's silent protest at a recital in solidarity with best friend Owen will affect his future.

Johnson has publicly speculated (via Digital Spy) about a second season, noting that he likes that Grand Army portrays friendships with more nuance in a way not often seen on television. In his character's case, it's about the relationship Jay has with fellow saxophonist Owen (Jordan). "This is speculation and my opinion, but I feel like he will only continue to grow as a young man," Johnson said. "I feel like we would probably see Owen again, because Jayson just won't let their relationship go down the gutter."

Ideally, all the characters will see that same kind of growth as they maneuver the coming-of-age drama of high school in Grand Army.