Poker Face spoilers follow.
Rian Johnson's Poker Face is already one of the best shows of the year, no lie. Part of that comes down to its addictive, murder-of-the-week format, which throws a bunch of Hollywood's elite into the role of either victim or killer (or even both!). It's fun, easy viewing — but crucially, it's also smart and extremely well-made.
None of that is actually why we're watching Poker Face, though. The real reason we've become obsessed with this show is because of Natasha Lyonne, who's swapped out Russian Doll's time-loopy lead for a character named Charlie Cale, who has the ability to tell when people are lying.
While on the run from her former boss, she somehow keeps accidentally stumbling upon murder mysteries every single week.... which means her "power" of sorts ends up becoming extremely useful every single week.
Ten murders in, we can't wait to see Charlie ends up next. And thankfully, we know for certain that she'll be back on our screens soon enough because Peacock already renewed the show on February 15, 2023, weeks ahead of the season-one finale.
Grab some smokes and start practising Lyonne's signature rasp as we break down everything you need to know about Poker Face season two.
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Poker Face season 2 potential release date: When is Poker Face season 2 on?
A release date for Poker Face season two hasn't been revealed just yet, although the early renewal means that production on the new episodes can start sooner rather than later.
Right after the first finale aired on March 9, 2023, co-showrunner Nora Zuckerman told The Hollywood Reporter that the timeline for season two is "still being determined".
"The pick up came a little bit earlier than everybody expected," Nora continued. "It was very welcome, but figuring out everybody's schedules is something that has yet to happen. We'll know soon."
Until we know more, all we can do is guess when Poker Face might return. The show's put us off gambling for life, but if we were to bet money still, we'd suggest that the second season could arrive around spring or summer 2024 at the latest.
Poker Face season 2 cast: Who's in Poker Face season 2?
There is no Poker Face without Natasha Lyonne, but who else might join her in season two?
While the number of people who recur in each episode is few and far between, one star we're definitely going to be seeing more of (or at least, hearing more of) is Rhea Perlman in the role of the new big bad Beatrix Hasp.
During a recent chat with Variety, co-showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman explained: "We certainly wanted a voice that you would immediately recognize and know."
"She's such inspired casting," Lilla added, "and I think so much of the casting of this season is inspired because you get somebody that is beloved and famous for playing a certain type of role, and then we get to see them reveal a totally different side of themselves and play against type.
"And Rhea Perlman playing the head of the Five Families, an absolute killer, a sadistic cold-blooded hunter — I can't wait to see what that looks like in season two. I don't know what it looks like yet, but I can't wait to write it."
What you really want to know, though, is who's joining season two's presumably star-studded guest rota. It's going to be tough to top the likes of Adrien Brody, Judith Light, Chloë Sevigny and Ellen Barkin, but Natasha Lyonne already has plans for someone in particular already.
"The only one that is coming to mind right now is Samira Wiley," Lyonne told Variety. The two previously starred alongside one another in Netflix's Orange Is the New Black. (Lyonne played Nicky Nichols, while Wiley portrayed Poussey Washington.)
"Samira came to the [Poker Face] premiere and then we went out with friends after and it was just me and her and a few other people. And she was like: 'Just so you know, I would do one of these.' And I was like: 'Oh, yeah?'
"She was like: 'Yeah, I know sometimes ask me to do things, maybe I don’t, but just so you know, this, I would do one of these.' And I was like: 'OK, Samira!'"
Around this time, Lilla Zuckerman revealed to The Hollywood Reporter that former guest stars could also return in season two as well, but with a twist.
"It's like they did in the old Columbo episodes, where they would have these guest stars come back and play a completely different role, a completely different killer," she said.
"I like the idea that we are building kind of a repertoire theatre company here, where we can bring our actors back and have them play another role.
"Maybe this time they're the victim instead of the killer. Maybe they are Charlie's sidekick. I like the idea of having a core group of actors who can come back and play."
Poker Face season 2 plot: What's going to happen in Poker Face season 2?
With that early renewal under their belt, Poker Face showrunners Nora and Lilla Zuckerman are already making plans for what comes next.
"We certainly have ideas," Nora told Variety. "There's a lot of stuff we wanted to do in season one that we kind of put aside and said: 'We love this, but we'll wait.'
"The details are still being ironed out. It was such an early pickup, I don't think anybody expected it so soon. So it's a real exciting prospect."
"We're so much more educated now on how to write this show," added Lilla, "and how to innovate on the form that I think when we go back and take a look at some of those worlds or characters or murders that we set aside, we might find fresh ways in.
"And we've seen this kind of formula works, messing around with different tones works, meeting new dastardly characters every week works. So I think we can go into season two with a lot of confidence and a lot of creativity."
When Variety suggested things go international in season two, the pair certainly weren't opposed to the idea.
"'Le Poker Face' has been a joke that we talk about, because Rian [Johnson] is a Francophile," said Nora. "And we did discuss in the room, if Charlie hears somebody lie in another language, but doesn't understand that language, does her ability work?"
Lilla went on to suggest that Nora's idea could maybe play out in season two — or even season five, added Nora. While she was joking in the moment, that kind of longevity might not be out of the question for Poker Face.
During an earlier interview with The Hollywood Reporter, series creator Rian Johnson said that he hoped to grow old making Poker Face — which wouldn't actually be too difficult given how the formula of the show lends itself to endless seasons.
"Natasha [Lyonne] and I keep talking about getting old doing this. I can imagine her Jessica Fletcher-ing it. And I would be thrilled. […] This is something that's obviously built with an engine to keep on going," he said.
Poker Face season 2 trailer: Is there a trailer for season 2?
There's no new Poker Face footage out there just yet, but when it does arrive — most likely in 2024 — we'll be the first to let you know. We promise. Would we lie to you?
Poker Face streams on Peacock in the US.
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After teaching in England and South Korea, David turned to writing in Germany, where he covered everything from superhero movies to the Berlin Film Festival.
In 2019, David moved to London to join Digital Spy, where he could indulge his love of comics, horror and LGBTQ+ storytelling as Deputy TV Editor, and later, as Acting TV Editor.
David has spoken on numerous LGBTQ+ panels to discuss queer representation and in 2020, he created the Rainbow Crew interview series, which celebrates LGBTQ+ talent on both sides of the camera via video content and longform reads.
Beyond that, David has interviewed all your faves, including Henry Cavill, Pedro Pascal, Olivia Colman, Patrick Stewart, Ncuti Gatwa, Jamie Dornan, Regina King, and more — not to mention countless Drag Race legends.
As a freelance entertainment journalist, David has bylines across a range of publications including Empire Online, Radio Times, INTO, Highsnobiety, Den of Geek, The Digital Fix and Sight & Sound.
