'HSMTMTS' Season 2 Official Cast Photos

There's a lot to look forward to for the East High Wildcats when season 2 of Disney+'s delightful musical comedy, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, drops May 14. “I am excited for the fans to see season 2 of the show because I think they will get to see our characters' growth and trajectory in a deeper way," Rodrigo, who's seen her star wattage rise since "Drivers License," exclusively told ET. Another reason to get excited about the new season? Another original song written by Rodrigo, who penned the Gold-certified "All I Want." "I also can't wait for them to hear this really special song I wrote for an episode.”

"This season is truly remarkable. As much as it’s been hard filming during the global pandemic, I’m definitely sad to go because it’s so special. So it’s a bittersweet thing, but honestly it just means we’re that much closer to the rest of the world getting to see it -- I’m so excited," Bassett told ET of finishing season 2 amid a pandemic. The actor-singer, who wrote a new original song "The Perfect Gift," teased a "really fun performance" in the premiere "that Ricky does that I had to sing live" that will be sure to intrigue HSMTMTS fans. "I was constantly out of breath because I was running around the entire time," he hinted. But all in all, Bassett says the new season "has more singing, more dancing and more drama. Anyone who has seen season 1 and thought, 'That was pretty good!,' will think that season 2 blows season 1 out of the water."

"Gina has a lot of growth this season. She's still trying to figure out who she wants to be at East High and what it means for her if she stays or not. There are a lot of new character dynamics that we get to see this season, and I had so much fun being able to act more closely with some of my fellow castmates," Wylie told ET in previewing the new season, which she promises is "bigger and better." "There's just tons of drama, big performances and pure fun to come this season. I'm also so excited for people to see an episode that I had the pleasure of performing a solo in! All of the episodes include wonderful group and solo performances that are truly mind blowing. There's a specific performance from one of my castmates that made me bawl my eyes out! The talent of everyone I get to work with is just mind blowing to me sometimes." 

Production on HSMTMTS was abruptly halted last spring when the pandemic shut filming down, but it was like no time had passed when it came time to resume work on the season late 2020. "It was so nice getting to spend another six months with my second family making something we are all so proud of! It is always so much fun getting to work with this insanely talented group of people on a daily basis. What is so awesome about getting to do a little more than 10 episodes this season is the fact that you get just a little extra time to draw storylines out and really dive a little deeper into each characters personal lives," Cornett told ET. "Plus, two more episodes means a little more time in Utah with the coolest people ever!"

Though Cornett was coy about dropping a nugget or two, he teased that "for E.J. specifically, it’s so fun because you start to see a new side him as he’s trying to figure himself out. Seeing that you are who you are and just embrace that, you don’t have to put up these facades to look perfect. Just being yourself is enough." If season 1 established HSMTMTS, Cornett says season 2 is "just more." "Season 2 set the bar way higher!" he shared. "It’s just more amazing in every possible way. The writing, the storylines, the character arcs, the music and the dancing all took it to the next level and made it something I think fans are going to love."

"I’m probably not even supposed to say this but episodes 203, 206 and 208 right now are my favorites!" Reneé teased to ET. "I have not seen them yet, but filming these episodes showed me a new side of Kourtney that I really loved!" Reneé couldn't contain her excitement when discussing the upcoming season, which features East High's own production of the Disney classic Beauty and the Beast. "OMGOSH THE TEA IS HOT! So many twists and turns that even I didn’t see coming!" she said of what awaits fans. "The music and choreography is phenomenal! The writing always has me on the edge of my seat! New characters, new storylines, bigger arcs, AND THE DRAMA Y'ALL! I'M TELLING YOU AFTER THE FIRST EPISODE YOU WILL BE HOOKED!"

With season 2 officially wrapped, Rodriguez said finishing the 12-episode run "feels amazing." "It definitely took longer than expected," he said, referring to the unexpected production halt due to the pandemic last year, "but the new stories and music make it totally worth the wait." Rodriguez also revealed, "This season, we see how Carlos fits into this new group of friends and how he relates to each of them. I’m most excited for fans to see how we’ve used the classic songs from Beauty and the Beast in our show." The HSMTMTS star described season 2 as "magical." "So much magic!"

"I’m really excited for people to get to know Ashlyn on a deeper level!" Lester told ET of season 2. "She has some really lovely, emotional moments that I’m eager to see play out in the world of our show." Asked to sum up the next chapter of HSMTMTS in just a few words, Lester said it's "big, bolder, better!" "And my favorite part, more drama." We all love some juicy tea, don't we?

"Seb grows even more into himself this season," Serafini, who was promoted to series regular for season 2, told ET of his character's journey. "Not only in his relationship with Carlos, but also as a friend and confidant with others. I'm personally excited for fans to see episode 205, it's a really special one!" And like his co-stars, Serafini promised that the new season is "next level."

"Working on season 2 was so exciting! My favorite part of getting to film more episodes was getting to explore each of the characters more and really understand who they are and where they come from. I love being on set, and it was such a gift to get to dive even deeper into these stories," Saperstein told ET. He promised that fans will get to delve into Big Red's backstory more in the new season as he "explores his own talents and learns to believe in himself." "One of the main themes that we explore this season is personal growth and discovery, and I think Big Red’s journey throughout this season really speaks to that. It will be so exciting for the audience to see this new confidence from Big Red, and I can’t wait for everyone to see some of the Big Red moments in episode 3."

"This season Miss Jenn takes a hard look in the mirror and tries to figure out where she came from, who she is now and who she wants to be. I’m very excited about Episode 207," Reinders shared with ET. Don't forget, Derek Hough will be dropping by as Miss Jenn's ex from rival North High. "More laughs, more tears and more moments with every single kid," she said of season 2. "Who was your favorite last season? Because this season, it’s going to be everyone."

"Wrapping season 2 felt like the high I imagine people more athletic than myself experience when they complete a marathon. It was very fulfilling completing season 2, amidst all the unforeseen challenges. Our crew, cast and creative team really rallied and did an extraordinary job," St. Cyr praised to ET. As for what his character is up to at the start of the new HSMTMTS season? Turns out, a lot. "Mr. Mazzara spends a lot of time finding his new calling, as he’s no longer in opposition to the arts. He slowly finds his footing and thinks he’s terrible at in the beginning of season 2," he said. "Ultimately he gets to show tremendous growth by the end of the season. I’m always excited for fans to see the scenes with the great Kate Reinders. Mazzara [and] Miss Jenn's scenes always play out so enjoyably. They’re the perfect foils to each other’s characters." And St. Cyr had the perfect description for season 2: "A dance with everything you loved about season 1, with some new moves that will really sweep you off your feet." Count us in!