This is news that likely few were expecting by now — Netflix has picked up a second season of British-Canadian coming-of-age series Geek Girl, starring Emily Carey. That is because the renewal comes exactly 11 months after the show’s May 30, 2024 debut. Shooting will begin in the UK this summer for a 2026 debut.
The half-hour series, based on the popular YA novels by Holly Smale, had made a strong case for renewal by spending four weeks in Netflix’s Global Top 10 for English-language series, peaking at #2, reaching the Top 10 in 89 countries and amassing 28.1M views in its first seven months of release. The solid performance, coupled with a pretty modest budget and positive reviews from critics should’ve translated into a quick renewal.
So why the unusually long delay then?
A change in the series’ production credits may provide a clue. Season 1 was produced and distributed by Canada’s troubled Corus Entertainment through subsidiaries. It will be succeeded in Season 2 by another Canadian company, Boat Rocker, which has acquired the rights to Geek Girl from Corus, including those for Season 1.
The move comes as Corus had been crippled over the last year, with the company cutting staff and other costs, shuttering businesses, mulling bankruptcy and exploring sale as its debt topped $1 billion last fall.
Created by Smale and Jessica Ruston based on Smale’s bestselling books, Geek Girl tells the story of awkward teenager Harriet Manners whose life is turned upside down when she is spotted to be a model and embarks on a life-affirming journey of self-discovery as she balances high school and high fashion.
Despite the suspension of disbelief element typical for YA fare — Harriet is a 5’4″ girl who becomes a top runaway model — the series has been praised for its humor, heart and portrayal of teen angst.
Carey is joined in the cast by Emmanuel Imani (Wilbur Evans), Liam Woodrum (Nick Park), Tim Downie (Richard Manners), Jemima Rooper (Annabel Manners).
The Season 2 renewal was commemorated by Netflix with a behind-the-scenes photo of Carey and Woodrum from an early Season 1 episode
“I am beyond excited that Geek Girl has been recommissioned for a second season by Netflix,” said Zoë Rocha, series showrunner and creative director of RubyRock, which produces Geek Girl with Boat Rocker. “The amazing audience reaction to Season 1 was truly incredible and we can’t wait to bring this next chapter to life. I’m thrilled to be working with Holly and Emily again, and that Boat Rocker has come onboard, to continue to build and expand the fabulous Geek Girl universe. Let’s see what magic Harriet Manners can sprinkle on to the fashion world this time round.”
Executive producing the series are Rocha and Robbie von Werz for RubyRock Pictures with Smale and Ruston; Jeff Norton; Declan O’Dwyer; David Fortier, Ivan Schneeberg, Nick Nantell, and Jon Rutherford for Boat Rocker. Smale, Sameera Steward, Sally O’Leary, Grace Link and Sophie Wu are the writers, Declan O’Dwyer is the director.
