Hartley High Braces for a Turbulent Term Two with Heartbreak High’s Return on Netflix
Heartbreak High, the acclaimed series that has captivated a global audience and garnered an International Emmy award, is set to return with its much-anticipated second season.
The premiere, scheduled for April 11 on Netflix, promises new adventures and challenges for the students and staff of Hartley High.
Angus Sampson, known for his roles in Furiosa, The Lincoln Lawyer, and Fargo, is joining the cast as Timothy Voss, the new Head of P.E. His character, described as uber-masculine, is expected to shake things up at Hartley High. Returning staff members include Rachel House and Chika Ikogwe as Woodsy and Jojo, respectively.
Newcomers to the student body include Sam Rechner as Rowan Callaghan, a country boy with a keen sense of humor and a love for classic cinema, and Kartanya Maynard as Zoe Clarke, a strong-willed celibacy advocate. Rechner is recognised from his role in Steven Spielberg‘s The Fabelmans and opposite Jane Seymour in Ruby’s Choice. Maynard, a Trawlwoolway woman from Nipaluna/Hobart, has featured in Deadloch, The Messenger, and Gold Diggers.
The returning cast features 2023 Logie nominees Ayesha Madon, Chloé Hayden, and Logie and AACTA winner Thomas Weatherall, alongside other familiar faces from the first season.
The second season teases a blend of romance, rivalry, and mystery, with the introduction of new characters and a quest for the school captaincy that promises to be anything but straightforward.
Produced by Fremantle Australia and NewBe, Season 2 was filmed across various indigenous lands in Sydney, including Gadigal, Dharug, Dharawal, Ku-ring-gai, and Gundugarra. The show’s depiction of teenage life – covering everything from love and trauma to inclusivity and neurodiversity – has resonated with audiences worldwide.
Since its debut on September 14, 2022, Heartbreak High has achieved significant accolades, including:
- Winning the 2023 International Emmy Award for Best Kids: Live-Action.
- Securing a 2023 Logie Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor (Thomas Weatherall), and nominations for Most Popular Drama and Most Popular New Talent (Ayesha Madon, Chloé Hayden).
- Winning the 2022 AACTA Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama (Thomas Weatherall), Best Screenplay in Television (Hannah Carroll Chapman), Best Costume Design in Television (Rita Carmody), and three Audience Choice Awards.
- Ranking in Australia’s top 10 TV shows on Netflix for five weeks and in the global top 10 for three weeks.
- Gaining significant traction on social media, with over 700 million views under the hashtag #heartbreakhigh on TikTok.
