School Spirits: Release Date, Cast, And More

(Welcome to ...And More, our no-frills, zero B.S. guide to when and where you can watch upcoming movies and shows, and everything else you could possibly stand to know.)

High school is a complicated time in a person's life. While everyone goes through physical, mental, and social changes as they begin to transition into adulthood, the high school experience isn't the same for everybody. Some people feel like outcasts and revel in the community built on the outskirts of "normalcy." Meanwhile, others consider it to be the greatest years of their lives and have no problem participating in the ongoing popularity contest or reaping the benefits that come with it.

However, do you think that the latter group would still consider that time in their lives the glory days if they had to spend eternity there? The new young adult drama from Awesomeness Live-Action Studios titled "School Spirits" explores what it would be like for kids that haunt the halls of their high school as they spend their afterlife there. Although, for one student, being in those hallowed halls helps her uncover the mysterious details of her disappearance and unexpected death.

During their presentation at the Television Critics Association winter tour, which also included a first look at "Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies," Paramount+ revealed that "School Spirits" will debut on the streaming service on March 9, 2023 in the United States and Canada, then the following day in Australia and the United Kingdom. The show is also meant to air in more international markets, but the premiere dates for those other countries will follow at a later date. After the premiere, the eight-episode season will stream weekly on Thursdays in the U.S. and Canada and Fridays in the U.K. and Australia.

"School Spirits" is based on an upcoming graphic novel by Nate & Megan Trinrud and Maria Nguyen. In this story, Maddie Nears enters the afterlife to find a support group of fellow deceased students in her school's gymnasium. As she navigates her new life after death, she also starts investigating the suspicious details surrounding her demise. Through this crime-solving journey, Maddie begins to unravel an intricate web of secrets and lies surrounding her departure from the world of the living.

Based on the first teaser trailer for the show, it seems like "School Spirits" is more akin to more serious offerings like "13 Reasons Why" or "One Of Us Is Lying" rather than the lighter shows involving teenage murder such as "Riverdale," the musical "Julie and the Phantoms," or Lana Condor's "Boo, B****."

After spending time at West Valley High School in the acclaimed "Karate Kid" sequel series "Cobra Kai," Peyton List has transferred from Netflix to Paramount+ to play Maddie Nears in "School Spirits." The former Disney Channel star headlines the cast for the new show, which also includes Kristian Flores ("Reboot," "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent") as Simon Elroy, Spencer MacPherson ("Reign," "Degrassi: Next Class") as Xavier Baxter, Kiara Pichardo ("The Society," "Mother/Android") as Nicole Herrera, Sarah Yarkin ("Texas Chainsaw Massacre," "Happy Death Day 2U") as Rhonda, Nick Pugliese ("13 Reasons Why," "Dramarama") as Charley, Rainbow Wedell ("The Wilds," "The Bureau of Magical Things") as Claire Zolinski, and Milo Manheim ("Zombies 3," "Prom Pact") as Wally Clark. Additionally, "Orange is the New Black" star Maria Dizzia and Josh Zuckerman of "Kyle XY," "Sex Drive," and "90210" will respectively guest star in the first season as Sandra Nears, presumably Maddie's mother, and Mr. Martin, the leader of the support group in the afterlife.

Behind the camera, award-winning writer and producer Oliver Goldstick serves as the showrunner after launching "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" and expanding the world of "Pretty Little Liars" on the flagship show and its first spinoff "Ravenswood." He is also on board as an executive producer alongside the comic's creators Nate and Megan Trinrud, who penned the pilot, and director Max Winkler, who helms the first two episodes.