Oscar nominee Jennifer Tilly is among the newcomers joining the Paramount+ series.

Everything we know about *School Spirits *season 3: Release date, new cast, and Maddie’s return to Split River High

Oscar nominee Jennifer Tilly is among the newcomers joining the Paramount+ series.

By Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe is a timely SEO writer at **. She has been working at * *since 2025. Her work has previously appeared on Distractify.

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December 23, 2025 9:00 a.m. ET

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Kiara Pichardo as Nicole, Peyton List as Maddie, Spencer Macpherson as Xavier, and Rainbow Wedell as Claire in 'School Spirits' season 3. Credit:

Ed Araquel/Paramount+

- *School Spirits *season 3 finds Maddie adjusting to life back in her physical body.

- New additions to the cast include Jennifer Tilly, Erika Swayze, and Ari Dalbert.

- The first three episodes of season 3 premiere on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026.

*School Spirits* is almost back in session.

The teen drama has grown into a solid hit for Paramount+, with season 2 raking in an average of 3.9 million viewers in its first month. Fans apparently can't get enough of its fusion of high school angst and supernatural mystery.

Season 3 picks up with Maddie Nears (Peyton List) back in her physical body but plagued by visions. Meanwhile, a question persists: Why do so many people keep dying at her school?

With some new faces joining the cast and plenty of unresolved issues from last season, what can fans expect from the season? Read on for everything we know about *School Spirits *season 3.

Will there be a *School Spirits *season 3?

Peyton List as Maddie, Maria Dizzia as Sandra, and Patrick Gilmore as Mr. Anderson in 'School Spirits' season 3.

Ed Araquel/Paramount+

*School Spirits *was renewed for a third season following the season 2 finale in March 2025.

"We are so thrilled to bring *School Spirits* back to our devoted audiences for another season of masterful storytelling brought to life by Peyton List and the incredible cast," said a Paramount+ exec in a statement.

It continued, "Co-showrunners Oliver Goldstick, Nate Trinrud, and Megan Trinrud have an exceptional ability to capture the complexity and nuance of the teen experience, while also keeping audiences on their toes with the unexpected mystery, and we can’t wait to see what’s in store for the students of Split River High next season."

How did *School Spirits *season 2 end?

Ci Hang Ma as Quinn, Sarah Yarkin as Rhonda, Jess Gabor as Janet, Milo Manheim as Wally, Nick Pugliese as Charley, and Miles Elliot as Yuri in 'School Spirits' season 2.

Ed Araquel/Paramount+

The season 2 finale of *School Spirits *left fans with a slew of unanswered questions. The season dug into the twist surrounding Maddie's supposed death — namely, that she wasn't actually dead. As it turned out, the ghost Janet Hamilton (Jess Gabor) possessed Maddie's physical body, forcing Maddie's spirit into the afterlife.

As the season unfolded, we saw Maddie work to bring together allies in both the living and spiritual realms to help reclaim the life that was stolen from her. Her efforts paid off in the final when she reunited with her physical body.

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The episode also sets up big moments for other characters. Wally (Milo Manheim), the former high school football star who died in the 1980s and had a fling with Maddie, is last seen standing before an exit door in his scar (a personal limbo where ghosts can relive the trauma of their deaths). The door represents Wally's chance to move on from Split River High's purgatory, but the finale leaves it unclear whether he actually crosses over or stays behind.

Meanwhile, Janet decides not to leave. Instead, she helps the others trap her killer, Mr. Martin (Josh Zuckerman), in his scar.

The season ends on a cliffhanger involving Janet, Mr. Martin, and Simon (Kristian Ventura), Maddie's best friend in the living world who can see and communicate with her. Simon is shown inside Mr. Martin's scar; since only spirits can enter scars, does that mean he's dead?

We shall see, but as executive producer Oliver Goldstick put it to TVLine: "For whatever reason, Simon is seeing a world that the rest of us cannot, most mortals cannot in the corporeal world."

What is *School Spirits *season 3 about?

Milo Manheim as Wally in 'School Spirits' season 3.

Ed Araquel/Paramount+

The official synopsis for *School Spirits* season 3 teases a new direction for the series, revealing that Maddie and her friends will be pulled into a "deeper, darker mystery as the veil between worlds grows dangerously thin, delivering twists that challenge everything they thought they knew."

It continues, "After clawing her way back to life, Maddie struggles with terrifying visions and the weight of protecting both the living and the dead while Simon — trapped in the afterlife — becomes obsessed with the secrets buried in Split River High's scars. Why have so many people died at Split River High? What was Mr. Martin warning them about? As they search for answers, new dangers and dark secrets begin to surface."

Is there a *School Spirits *season 3 trailer?

A teaser for *School Spirits* season 3 debuted in December 2025 and gave fans a quick look at Maddie and her ghostly friends at Split River High. Check it out below.

Who’s in the *School Spirits *season 3 cast?

Jennifer Tilly as Dr. Deborah Hunter-Price and Peyton List as Maddie in 'School Spirits' season 3.

Ed Araquel/Paramount+

Season 3 brings back plenty of core cast members, including Peyton List (Maddie), Kristian Ventura (Simon), Milo Manheim (Wally), Kiara Pichardo (Nicole), Spencer MacPherson (Xavier), Sarah Yarkin (Rhonda), Rainbow Wedell (Claire), Ci Hang Ma (Quinn), Miles Elliot (Yuri), and Josh Zuckerman (Mr. Martin).

New additions to the cast include Ari Dalbert (*Friendship*) as Kyle, Erika Swayze (*Davey & Jonesie's Locker*) as Livia, and Jennifer Tilly (*Chucky*) as Dr. Deborah Hunter-Price.

When does *School Spirits *season 3 come out?

Jess Gabor as Janet, Sarah Yarkin as Rhonda, Ci Hang Ma as Quinn, Nick Pugliese as Charley, and Miles Elliot as Yuri in 'School Spirits' season 3.

David Astora/Paramount+

The first three episode of *School Spirits *season 3 drop on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026.

Where can I watch School Spirits?

*School Spirits *is available to stream on Paramount+.

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Source: “EW Teen”