Peyton List Teases That School Spirits Season 2 Will Provide a “Huge Resolution” but Introduce “a Whole New Problem” (Exclusive)

Peyton List Teases That School Spirits Season 2 Will Provide a “Huge Resolution” but Introduce “a Whole New Problem” (Exclusive)

Peyton List stars as Maddie Nears, a teenager who died at her high school, in School Spirits on Paramount+. The show returns for Season 2 on Thursday, January 30, and List tells PEOPLE that "all the questions" from Season 1 will be fully explained in the new season.

While the first season finale gave Maddie some answers about her death, it also left viewers with more questions. List promises that Season 2 will provide a "huge resolution" but also introduce "a whole new problem." The trailer hints that Mr. Martin (Josh Zuckerman) could be at the center of many of these issues.

"Everyone has so many questions about who this person is that they thought they knew for decades," List says, referring to Maddie and her ghostly group. "He has the belongings of each person from when they died, so everyone wants to know why and what they might mean. And Mr. Martin and Janet, they're very intimate, so everyone wants to know [why]. It's a big clue that leads to everything else."

Season 1 ended with Maddie learning that Janet (Jess Gabor) had taken over her body, meaning Maddie’s physical body is still out there in the world. "Even though her physical body is out there — there's pictures — it doesn't make any sense," List explains.

Maddie’s best friend Simon (Kristian Ventura) struggles to understand this, thinking he's talking to a version of Maddie that’s a figment of his imagination. "We left off with Simon not believing that he's talking to Maddie. He just thinks that his friend has died or his friend is out there, and he created this fake version of her because he's slowly going insane," says List. "Maddie has to convince him that she’s really there and it's not just his imagination."

As for Maddie and Wally (Milo Manheim), their relationship "really grows" in Season 2. "I wasn't expecting the amount of fans of Maddie and Wally's relationship!" admits List. "People who love that relationship will be really happy because there’s a lot of moments between them. Maddie’s finally able to accept her situation and let Wally in, someone she had been ignoring in Season 1."

Rhonda (Sarah Yarkin) doesn’t take too kindly to the growing bond between Maddie and Wally. "Because Rhonda is so alone, she’s frustrated by how easily Maddie finds friendship and love — things Rhonda has been craving," List explains.

List calls Manheim "the best," adding, "Milo just brings so much joy and fun and silliness to the set. He lightens everything up, and it’s really fun to do scenes with him. He’s always adding something new and improvising to get a genuine reaction."

The cast maintains a supportive atmosphere, even during the show's darker moments. "We’re always checking in with each other and making jokes to keep it light. We’re always trying to keep that balance," List says.

As for what Maddie’s version of heaven might look like, List shares a humorous thought. "When watching The Good Place, I thought it was funny when they said, ‘How did we not know it was hell? There was frozen yogurt this whole time. Nobody likes frozen yogurt.’ And I was like, ‘What? I love frozen yogurt! I have a platinum card!’" she laughs. "So in my heaven, there would be frozen yogurt, and we’d all just hang out, surf, swim, and eat good food. That would be the dream."