Ancil
‘Grand Army’ dropped on Netflix in October 2020, and those who’ve binged watched its 9 episodes in a heartbeat can’t help but crave more after its powerful final episode. Created by Katie Cappiello, the series is loosely based on ‘Cappiello’s Sl*t: The Play.’ The series follows the struggle of five teenagers from Grand Army High School, the largest public high school in Brooklyn. After a very moving season 1, let’s find out what’s the latest update on the show’s status.
Is ‘Grand Army’ Season 2 Happening?
Despite excellent reviews, ‘Grand Army’ did not impress Netflix enough. The show premiered on the platform on October 16, 2020, and the streamer canceled it in June 2021 after just one season. Netflix did not reveal the exact reason behind the cancelation, but it is likely due to a mix of factors. That includes controversies behind the scenes and not enough viewership, among others. More on this below.
The Plot: What Could Have Happened In ‘Grand Army’ Season 2?
‘Grand Army’ follows five students at Grand Army High School in Brooklyn, New York, as they try to navigate through life and struggle to find success amidst sexual, racial, and economic politics. The show has tackled a lot of deep issues that hinder the main characters from achieving their full potential. Towards the end of season 1, John accepted Dom’s invitation to go with her to prom. The show concluded with Jay’s powerful protest during All-State Performance. Covering his mouth with black sellotape, Jay stood with his fists in the air and his sax in his other hand, engulfing the whole theater in silence. This protest will hopefully bring real attention to systemic racism at Grand Army in season 2. Aptly titled ‘Freedom,’ season 1’s episode finale has brought moments of freedom, which eventually leads to a glimmer of hope for the main characters.
Who Is Cast In ‘Grand Army’?
The main cast of the series are Odessa A’zion as Joey Del Marco, Odley Jean as Dominique “Dom” Pierre, Amir Bageria as Siddhartha “Sid” Pakam, Maliq Johnson as Jayson “Jay” Jackson, Amalia Yoo as Leila Kwan Zimmer, Alphonso Romero Jones II as John Ellis, Thelonius Serrell-Freed as Tim Delaney, Anthony Ippolito as George Wright and Brian Altemus as Luke Friedman among others.
Grand Army Controversy
Before its release, ‘Grand Army’ was riddled with controversy after playwright and screenwriter Ming Peiffer quit the show alongside two other writers of color due to alleged “racist exploitation and abuse.”
These allegations became highly controversial, especially because one of the show’s core touches is racism.
