The second season of the American comedy-drama television series Ginny & Georgia, marketed as Ginny & Georgia 2, was released worldwide on the streaming serviceNetflix on January 5, 2023.[1] The series was created by Sarah Lampert, who also serve as executive producers along with Debra J. Fisher, Anya Adams, Jeff Tahler, Jenny Daly, Dan March, Holly Hines, and Lance Samuels.[2] The showrunner for the season was Debra J. Fisher, who also oversaw the first season.
After the shocking events of the Season 1 finale, The Season picks up with Ginny Miller fleeing Wellsbury with her younger brother Austin, reeling from the revelation that their mother, Georgia, murdered her ex-husband. The two children seek refuge with their father, Zion, while Georgia attempts to carry on with her engagement to Mayor Paul Randolph and maintain her image as a respectable member of the community. However, the cracks in Georgia’s carefully curated life begin to widen as her past threatens to catch up with her.[4]
Back in Wellsbury, Ginny returns home but struggles with the emotional weight of keeping her mother’s secret. She begins attending therapy to cope with her mental health challenges, including anxiety and self-harm. At school, her friendships with Max, Abby, and Norah are strained, and her romantic relationship with Marcus becomes increasingly complicated.
Meanwhile, Georgia faces escalating threats to her family’s safety and freedom. Gil, Austin’s abusive father, is released from prison and begins reentering their lives, further complicating Georgia’s efforts to protect her children. Simultaneously, a private investigator continues to probe into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the death of Georgia’s late husband. As pressure mounts from all sides. Georgia and Paul’s wedding, facade finally collapses when Georgia is arrested for murder.
For the past 2 weeks, Ginny and Austin have been living with Zion in Boston. Ginny's grandparents come to Zion's house for Thanksgiving dinner, and Ginny overhears them expressing concerns about her mental well-being as they leave. Georgia goes with Paul to his parents' house for Thanksgiving dinner and overhears them talk about how she has too much "baggage", though he is insistent on marrying her. Ginny continues to burn herself. Ginny has a panic attack when she finds out that she has to see Georgia again. She confides in Zion about her self-harm and asks if she can keep living with him, which he agrees to on the conditions that he tell Georgia about it and Ginny go to therapy. Zion, Georgia, Paul, Ginny, and Austin have an awkward dinner. Georgia confronts Ginny about thinking she is an 'evil mom'. Zion tells Georgia that Ginny is moving in with him, but she refuses to allow it, so he attempts to tell her about Ginny's self-harm. To stop him, Ginny agrees to move back home. Gabriel discovers that Georgia was previously married to a man named Anthony Green, who went missing. Marcus climbs into Ginny's room, and the two share a deep conversation before Ginny asks him to stay the night.
Flashbacks show Georgia coming home on the night of the election to find her kids gone and her wolfsbane flowers burned. They also show Georgia working on Thanksgiving and inventing Friyay so Ginny could still have a nice holiday.
12
2
"Why Does Everything Have to Be So Terrible, All the Time, Forever?"
Georgia asks Paul to move in, agreeing not to tell the kids yet, but she ends up telling them anyway. On Ginny's first day back at school, her friends ignore her. Georgia plans to join the Neighborhood Club but finds out she needs a current member to sponsor her, so she visits Cynthia, whose husband is terminally ill. Zion takes Ginny to her first therapy session, where she talks about her childhood and her self-harm. Nick confronts Georgia about her embezzling, but she reminds him that telling Paul about it would eliminate his plausible deniability. Cynthia tells the Neighborhood Club not to let Georgia in. Paul tells Ginny that he wants to be there for her and Austin, mentioning that Austin's father, Gil, took out credit cards in his name. The next morning, Ginny makes Paul a smoothie, reminding Georgia of the one that she killed Kenny with.
Flashbacks show Georgia going to her old biker gang, traumatized, to get rid of Anthony Green's body after accidentally killing him.
13
3
"What Are You Playing at, Little Girl?"
Audrey Cummings
Mike Gauyo
January5,2023(2023-01-05)
Tensions rise after Georgia learns that Ginny knows what happened to Kenny. Austin's teacher tells Georgia that Austin is behind in class and that he might have anxiety and need counseling, but Georgia brushes it off. Marcus asks Ginny why she has been so secretive lately, but she brushes him off, so he leaves. She struggles to tell him about her feelings, so she writes a poem for him. Abby and Ginny skip class and smoke together. Georgia finally convinces Cynthia to get her into the Neighborhood Club. Ginny finally confesses to Marcus that Georgia killed Kenny, and he promises not to tell anyone. Georgia tells her that she killed him to protect her family and would do it again if necessary; the two make up.
Flashbacks show Georgia failing to make friends with Ginny at her side. She uses her to steal clothes.
14
4
"Happy My Birthday to You"
Audrey Cummings
Anil K. Foreman
January5,2023(2023-01-05)
After Ginny and Georgia make up, Georgia catches Marcus sneaking in and talks about his intentions with Ginny. Ginny plans a party for Marcus's birthday. Paul and Georgia clash about parenting techniques. Max struggles with still having feelings for Sophie, who now has a boyfriend, and is oblivious to a girl named Silver liking her. Not wanting to see Tom because he's forgotten her name, Cynthia stays at Blue Farm all day and bonds with Joe, who is struggling with his unrequited love for Georgia. Georgia asks Ginny to be her maid of honor. Norah makes up with Abby and Ginny, disappointing Max. Gabriel discovers that Georgia was never investigated regarding Anthony Green's death. Marcus asks Ginny to be his girlfriend. Ginny calls her therapist to stop herself from self-harming and has a mental breakdown.
Flashbacks show Georgia lying about Ginny being sick so they can stay in the house longer.
Georgia is planning the wedding, a Neighborhood Club party, and a fundraiser for women and children. Ginny's English teacher asks her to pick a book to add to the syllabus about the Black American experience. Georgia apologizes to Nick and asks him to be her bridesman. Georgia arranges for Zion and Paul to meet and talk things out. Ginny and her therapist talk about Georgia as a mother. Paul argues with Georgia about a gun he found in the house. Georgia attempts to get Ginny's English teacher fired by framing him, but Ginny stops her in time. At an open mic at Blue Farm, Ginny reads a poem about her negative feelings toward Georgia, who walks in and is upset after hearing it. Cynthia kisses Joe, but instantly regrets it. Gil arrives at Austin's school.
Flashbacks show Georgia giving a hungry Ginny her food. Her plans for a babysitter fall through, so her date, Gil, comes in, and they get a delivery.
Georgia is still upset about Ginny's poem and stressed about having Paul's family over for Christmas Eve. Ginny and Georgia walk in on Zion on a date with his girlfriend Simone, and Georgia panics and accidentally invites Zion's family to the Christmas Eve dinner. Austin finds a gun when looking for presents. Gabriel discovers that Georgia's lawyer has a connection to her old gang. Joe cheers her up, and she makes up with Paul. Cynthia and Joe have sex. Gil arrives on Christmas Day and claims he's changed. Georgia reads Ginny's notebook and discovers that she self-harms.
Flashbacks show Gil buying gifts for Georgia and Ginny.
Georgia tries to become a better mother and confronts Zion for not telling her about Ginny's self-harm. Gil tries to become part of Austin's life, but fails to convince Georgia he's changed. Ginny's English teacher tells Ginny to lead a lesson on the book, so she drops out of his class. Marcus begins to act differently and comes to school drunk. Georgia joins Ginny's therapy session, and they both feel misunderstood by the other. Gil tells Cynthia that Georgia framed him for the embezzlement she did so that he would get sent to prison. Ginny throws Georgia a surprise bachelorette party.
Flashbacks show Gil telling Georgia that he embezzles from his company. Georgia wears face paint as Zion and Gil meet on Ginny's birthday. After they leave, she removes the face paint, revealing that Gil has physically abused her.
18
8
"Hark! Darkness Descends!"
Sharon Lewis
Megan Hartenstein & Jordan Dumbroff
January5,2023(2023-01-05)
Marcus is revealed to have depression. Cynthia realizes that Joe likes Georgia and ends things with him amicably. Ginny leads a revolt against the English teacher. Cynthia helps Georgia when Gil gets physical with her. Gabriel tells Ginny about Anthony. Georgia suffocates Cynthia's husband, Tom, killing him. Unbeknownst to her, Austin witnesses this. Ginny tells Marcus she knows he doesn't want to be with her, and he breaks up with her. Max and Silver kiss. Max and Marcus hear a gunshot.
Three days earlier, Ginny struggles to get used to her new English class as the other students don't take it seriously. Nick feels Gabriel is pulling away. Georgia tells Ginny about Anthony, saying it was an accident. Gil blackmails Georgia into letting him see Austin. Cynthia tells Georgia about sleeping with Joe. Gil physically assaults Georgia, so Austin shoots him with the gun he found. They clean up the house and sew Gil's arm up before Paul gets home. Georgia tells the kids about Gil's abuse over the years, but chooses not to tell Paul. She calls the wedding company and cancels. Gabriel finds out that Georgia was with Tom when he died and reports it to the police as a suspected murder.
Flashbacks show Georgia packing to run away from Gil, but finding out she's pregnant before she can leave.
20
10
"I'm No Cinderella"
Rose Troche
Sarah Lampert & Debra J. Fisher
January5,2023(2023-01-05)
Ginny finds out that Georgia cancelled the wedding and convinces her to tell Paul everything so they wouldn't have to leave; Georgia does so. Paul, angry and overwhelmed, leaves the house, but later texts Georgia and asks her to meet him in the office. Gil also arrives, and Paul tells him that he is a convicted felon and will go back to prison if he continues to harass and blackmail Georgia. Gabriel tells Nick the truth about his identity and Georgia's crimes. Paul and Georgia get married, and Ginny gives her maid of honor speech at the reception. Georgia gets arrested in the middle of her first dance with Paul for Tom's murder. As she is taken away in a police car, Austin is confused and upset, saying he didn't tell anyone about what he saw the night Tom died.
Flashbacks show Gil throwing Georgia to the ground, and Georgia threatening Gil with a gun, before Gil wrestles it out of her hands.
Following the commercial success of its debut season, Ginny & Georgia was renewed for a second season by Netflix on April 19, 2021.[5][6] Series creator Sarah Lampert returned as executive producer, alongside showrunner Debra J. Fisher, who also served in the same role for the first season. The creative team sought to build upon the cliffhanger ending of Season 1, diving deeper into emotional and psychological themes, while maintaining the show’s signature blend of drama, dark humor, and teen romance.[7]
Writing for the second season began before it was renewed, with the writers aiming for a darker, more introspective direction compared to the first season. Head writer and showrunner Debra J. Fisher In interviews, emphasized their goal of expanding character arcs and exploring more serious topics such as therapy, self-harm, and trauma, particularly from the perspective of teenagers.[8] The writers' room for Season 2 continued to prioritize inclusivity and authenticity, including team members with lived experience relevant to the show’s major themes. The season also introduced new characters and expanded the roles of returning ones, including Georgia's ex, Gil, and Ginny’s friend Bracia.[9]
The writing team prioritized character growth, especially for Ginny, who deals with self-harm, therapy, and her biracial identity. Georgia’s storyline focused on confronting her past, managing her relationship with Paul, and facing the return of her ex-fiancé, Gil. Writers drew on personal experiences in the writers’ room, enhancing the authenticity of storylines for characters like Maxine, Marcus, and Abby. LGBTQ+ representation and teen mental health were addressed with greater depth, aided by consultant input.
Debra J. Fisher, with prior experience on Alias and Charmed, returned for Season 2 with a sharper creative focus. She noted that the first season’s success boosted the team’s confidence to take risks and explore bolder narratives.[10]
A key shift was the focus on consequences. While Season 1 framed Georgia’s morally ambiguous actions as survival-driven, Season 2 examined the long-term effects on her children. Subplots expanded, including Zion’s increased role in Ginny’s life and the tension between Georgia’s maternal instincts and her pursuit of personal change.[11]
Series creator Sarah Lampert and Fisher refined the show’s tone, addressing the season criticism of inconsistent comedy and thriller elements. They used therapy scenes, voiceovers, and tighter pacing to create a more unified blend of genres.[12]
Filming
Filming for the second season began in February 2022 and concluded in late April 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada,[13] the same location as the first season. The fictional New England town of Wellsbury was recreated using neighborhoods and set pieces in Cobourg and Toronto’s east end.[14][15][16]
The first two episodes of the season, titled "(Welcome Back, Bitches!)" and "(Why Does Everything Have to Be So Terrible, All the Time, Forever)?", were directed by James Genn, along with rotating directors Danishka Esterhazy and Audrey Cummings, oversaw production, each contributing a unique visual style while preserving a consistent tone.[17]Cinematography included warmer tones and moody lighting for dramatic scenes, notably in therapy sessions and flashbacks, with enhanced visual storytelling, particularly in Marcus’ depression arc.[18][19][20]
Production encountered occasional COVID-19-related delays and restrictions, necessitating a hybrid workflow with remote writing sessions and on-set safety measures.[21] Despite these challenges, the cast and crew finished on schedule, noting a collaborative set environment. Large scenes, such as Georgia’s wedding or school plays, were carefully planned to adhere to safety guidelines.[22]
New additions to the cast included Aaron Ashmore as Gil Timmins,[24] Georgia’s abusive ex and Austin’s father.[25] Ashmore’s character brought a more menacing tone to the season, complicating Georgia’s attempts at a stable future.[26] Daniel Beirne was also introduced as Nick’s, bringing LGBTQ+ representation to the forefront in Georgia’s work environment.[27]
The casting team sought to portray a more diverse and realistic group of teenagers, with several young actors returning in expanded roles. Background characters like Bracia and Padma were also given more development this season, enhancing the storytelling across the ensemble cast.[28]
Marketing
Netflix unveiled the first teaser trailer on December 1, 2022, teasing the return of the millers with the minimalist tagline: “Buckle up peaches—they’re messier than ever”.[29] Promotional assets revolved around the narrative’s darker turn, including character posters, interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes features released by Netflix’s Tudum and YouTube platforms.[30]
The campaign positioned the season as a deeper, suspense‑charged continuation: themes of betrayal, survival, and mother‑daughter conflict were underscored across all materials.[6]
Music
Original scoring for Season 2 was provided by composer duo Lili Haydn and Ben Bromfield, who returned from Season 1.[31] They incorporated both dramatic underscore and narrative-specific musical theater, including the standout in‑show number “Marriage Is a Dungeon,” performed by characters in a high school musical subplot.[32] In interviews, Haydn and Bromfield described their collaboration, melding indie, jazz, and musical theater sounds to elevate both emotional and comedic beats throughout the season.[33][34]
"The Comedown (Padma's Song)" (featuring Rebecca Ablack)
2:32
2.
"Georgia Gets Booked"
1:46
3.
"Georgia and Paul's First Dance"
2:09
4.
"Georgia's Theme (Dark)" (featuring Benjamin Walker)
1:33
5.
"Ben and Lili's Christmas Extravaganza"
2:00
6.
"Wedding Shopping"
0:39
7.
"Sandstorm at the Well"
1:46
8.
"Hug a Bully"
1:08
9.
"Childs Play (Hunter's Song)" (featuring Nick Leclair Throop, Mason Temple & Rebecca Ablack)
2:49
10.
"Not A Murderer"
1:18
11.
"Welcome Back Bitches"
2:02
12.
"Curtain Call"
0:43
13.
"I'd Never Love Someone (Bracia's Ballad)" (featuring Tameka Griffiths)
2:36
14.
"Austin Hides In The Closet"
0:54
15.
"Marriage Is A Dungeon (Max and Bracia's Duet)" (featuring Sara Waisglass & Tameka Griffiths)
2:00
16.
"Max and Bracia Backstage"
0:23
17.
"To The Dance (Wellington Opener)" (featuring Tameka Griffiths, Sara Waisglass & Agape Mngomezulu)
2:03
18.
"Wellsbury"
2:02
Total length:
27:06
Release
The season premiered globally on Netflix on January 5, 2023, with all ten episodes dropping simultaneously.[35]
Reception
Audience viewership
Ginny & Georgia Season 2 was a major success for Netflix, debuting on January 5, 2023, and quickly rising to the top of the platform’s global rankings. The season debuted atop Netflix’s English TV List,[36] earning 180.47 million viewing hours in its first week and staying #1 for multiple weeks about.[32][37] It ultimately logged over 504.8 million hours viewed within 28 days, placing it among the top 20 most‑watched Netflix shows in its first month.[38][39]
Nielsen ratings
Nielsen ratings reported that Ginny & Georgia was the most-watched streaming title in the U.S. during the week of its premiere, recording over 2.5 billion minutes of viewing time.[40] It topped the streaming charts for several weeks, outperforming other popular series on both Netflix and competing platforms.[41]
Critical response
The second season received generally favorable reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an approval rating of 84% based on 25 critic reviews, with the consensus stating: "Ginny & Georgia’s sophomore season deepens the emotional stakes while retaining the show’s trademark wit and unpredictability."[42] Critics praised the performances—particularly those of Brianne Howey, Antonia Gentry, and Scott Porter—as well as the show's balance of drama, dark humor, and social commentary. The show was noted for tackling themes such as mental health, racial identity, and trauma with more maturity and nuance than in the previous season.[42]
On Metacritic, Season 2 holds a weighted average score of 71 out of 100 based on 5 critic reviews, indicating “generally favorable reviews.” The site’s user commentary added: “Season 2 was much more emotional, dramatic and well acted. The storylines were interesting and the plot was much much better.”[43]
Rae Torres of Collider offered a balanced review, praising the season’s emotional depth and multilayered performances, especially from Antonia Gentry and Brianne Howey but critiqued the narrative when it favored "cheap thrill" over character focus. The review noted that the series shines "when it focuses on its core relationships," while other plot elements sometimes detract from its emotional core.[44]The A.V. Club (Christina Izzo) was more critical of the tonal shifts, arguing that Ginny & Georgia juggles too many genres, suburban drama, thriller, YA coming-of-age, and often loses focus. She wrote, “Season 2 needs more Ginny, less Georgia,” noting that the drama feels overstuffed and would benefit from a tighter emotional center.[45] Writing in Decider Review, Liz Kocan delivered a more enthusiastic take, noting that the season was "developing into a stronger show" thanks largely to Gentry’s performance. Kocan highlighted the mounting tension and complex character dynamics, especially the push–pull of secrets and relationships driving the show forward.[46]Vanguard News hailed the Season with strong praise for the heightened drama and complex family dynamics. Their review described the season as “more drama from the teens, more questionable parenting scenarios, and of course, more rattling secrets to unravel”.[47]
Ready Steady Cut, Daniel Hart commended the season’s addictive energy and character chemistry, especially between Ginny and Georgia. While noting an overstuffed storyline, the review concluded: “Ginny and Georgia Season 2 delivers a twisted, engaging, chemistry-filled mother‑daughter tale yet again”.[48] Reviewing for The Daily Beast, Laura Bradley positioned Season 2 as the show’s turning point into darker themes. The review observed: “Ginny spends a lot more time with her father, Zion … and once she enters therapy, she begins to examine her identity—as a trauma survivor, and as a young Black woman—more closely”.[49] Sreeparna Sengupta of The Times of India noted that Season 2 was being hailed as “the best launch for a returning English‑speaking series released on a Thursday.” It praised the season's portrayal of mental health and emotional recovery: “this show does a beautiful and heart‑wrenching job of depicting struggles with self‑harm and depression”.[50]
Accolades
The season received several nominations at major awards shows. At the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards, Ginny & Georgia was nominated for Best Show, while Antonia Gentry received a nomination for Breakthrough Performance. The series also received a nomination for Outstanding Drama Series at the 2023 GLAAD Media Awards for its inclusive representation of LGBTQ+ characters.[51]
Accolades received by the second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
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