Season 2 of The Afterparty: Unveiling Sam Richardson & Zoë Chao's Captivating New Characters!

The Afterparty makes its highly anticipated return for its second season, bringing together Detective Danner, Zoë, and Aniq as they unravel another murder mystery. While Zoë and Aniq are no longer considered suspects, the case hits close to home when Zoë's family comes under scrutiny, thanks to the untimely death of her sister's new husband. Racing against time, the trio must interrogate the wedding guests, including Zoë's own family, the groom's family, his business partner, and a jealous ex-partner, all in search of the true killer and to exonerate their loved ones from this horrifying crime.

Executive producers Christopher Miller, Phil Lord, and Anthony King spearhead The Afterparty, while Tiffany Haddish, Sam Richardson, and Zoë Chao reprise their roles from the first season. Season 2 boasts an impressive cast, featuring Elizabeth Perkins, Zach Woods, Paul Walter Hauser, Poppy Liu, Anna Konkle, Jack Whitehall, Vivian Wu, Ken Jeong, and John Cho.

Sam Richardson & Zoë Chao on The Afterparty Season 2

Screen Rant recently interviewed Sam Richardson and Zoë Chao to discuss the upcoming second season of the popular show, The Afterparty. During the interview, Richardson revealed some interesting information about his character, Aniq, and how he is able to investigate without arising suspicion this season. Chao also delved into the exciting new aspects of her character, Zoë, that viewers can expect to see explored in the upcoming episodes. In addition, the actors shared their preferences for favorite genres to portray in this season, as well as pitched two genres they would love to see in a potential third season of The Afterparty.

Screen Rant: I love the show! I think I watched the first two seasons in 24 hours. It's so good!

Zoë Chao: Ah, thank you, Caitlin.

What did you want to bring to your characters in season two that you weren't able to explore in the first season?

Zoë Chao: In season one, we thought we had explored all of Zoë's different sides, but there is actually more to her! It was enjoyable to see her as a daughter, a protective older sister, someone in love, and as a detective. So, she keeps unveiling herself in an exciting way.

Sam Richardson: It was thrilling for Aniq to be free from suspicion in this season. He gets the chance to interact, takes on a commanding role, and openly tries to figure things out. He is not hiding his actions to protect himself but rather to save Zoë's sister and salvage his relationship with Zoë. Additionally, he aims to solve the mystery with Danner while maintaining some distance and objectivity. Aniq's involvement this season brings a fun dynamic.

Which genre was your favorite to play in the season?

Sam Richardson: I really enjoyed doing the romcom sequel.

Zoë Chao: Indeed, the aspect I particularly adored was the increased presence of Sam, as he consistently brings so much fun to the series. Additionally, exploring various period genres such as Hitchcock, film noir, and Jane Austen added an extra layer of enjoyment. The opportunity to delve deeper into these genres this season, complete with remarkable wigs and exquisite costumes, was an absolute blast.

The high jinks on set with the improvisation bring an unmatched level of comedy to the show. Despite the murder mystery plot, there is plenty of room for play and creativity. With a talented cast of dynamic actors and comedians, it would be a waste not to utilize their skills to the fullest. The show's creators and directors, Anthony King, Chris Miller, and others, have been incredibly supportive of allowing us to add our own touches and collaborate in our comedic performances. The result is truly remarkable and adds a fantastic element to the show.

Zoë Chao: It was truly gratifying to witness people become inspired and enthusiastically embrace the concept.

As we look forward to a potential season 3, are there any genres you all haven't explored yet that you believe would align seamlessly with The Afterparty?

Zoë Chao: I want to be in a Western.

Sam Richardson: Yeah, I want to be in a Western real bad actually. Shootin', drinkin' the Sarsaparilla.

Zoë Chao: Round them up cowboy.

Sam Richardson: Round them up. A water, drinking a milk. A silent film. Buster Keaton.

One of the highlights of Afterparty for me is the opportunity it provides to explore numerous genres and showcase different facets of our characters. How do you approach each episode while staying true to the core essence of your character?

Zoë Chao: This project is incredibly exciting because it challenges actors in a unique way. It's not just about considering our own perspectives, but also about doing our homework on the genre and understanding the objectives and points of view of the other characters. Ultimately, it brings us even closer to the roles we're playing, but it's like a fun mental workout.

About The Afterparty Season 2

Aniq and Zoë reach out to Detective Danner for assistance after finding themselves caught up in another murder case at a wedding they are attending. The three of them must gather evidence and interrogate various suspects, including Zoë's relatives, star-crossed lovers, and the groom's business associate. Each suspect offers their own account of the events leading to the groom's untimely demise. Be sure to explore our other captivating interviews from season 2 of The Afterparty!

Phil Lord, Chris Miller & Anthony King

John Cho & Ken Jeong​​​​​​​

Tiffany Haddish & Zach Woods

Jack Whitehall & Paul Walter Hauser

Anna Konkle & Elizabeth Perkins

Poppy Liu & Vivian Wu

Anna Konkle

The first two episodes of The Afterparty debut on Apple TV+ on July 12.

Source: Screen Rant Plus