A Preview of Season 2 of ‘The Afterparty’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Episode 1. Zach Woods, John Cho, Zoë Chao, Paul Walter Hauser, Ken Jeong, Poppy Liu and Vivian Wu in "The Afterparty," premiering July 12, 2023 on Apple TV+.

It is definitely safe to say, that the Apple TV+ series, The Afterparty, was nothing short of a breath of fresh air when it made its debut early last year. Simply because, this series… really did manage to inject new life into crime stories, courtesy of the fact that it was humorous in nature, since this genre of storytelling oft plays it straight and narrow. Not to mention, it offered up a unique and engaging way to explore who committed the heinous crime of ending Xavier’s life prematurely. All by allowing for us to see precisely how those at the afterparty, perceived their own journey through such a harrowing night in the most original manner possible. Since everyone involved in the story, told their tale through the lens of a particular film genre. 
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Which not only added an engaging way to solve this crime, but added depth and insight for each of the characters that we spent time with. Since it spoke to how they perceived their lives, this dark moment, and everything in between. All of which brought forth a ‘who done it?’ that we simply could not step away from and for a time… it seemed as though this was nothing more than a one and done really. After all, there was no way the success and magic of this first season could possibly be replicated in the slightest. But… the wit and creative might of producers and writers Christopher Miller, Phil Lord, and Anthony King, accepted the challenge and figured out how to continue this story, and that gave rise to a second season. One that is about to premiere on the network, and well, we here at NTG thought it would be worthwhile to preview season two of The Afterparty in a spoiler-free manner of course. 

Mainly because… there is a lot to celebrate when it comes to this new season of storytelling. Such as its inventiveness and ingenuity. Which comes forth via the show’s simplicity. Since this is a story that catches up with Aniq, Zoë, and Danner sometime after the end of the whole mess with Xavier’s murder, wherein it seems everyone has moved onto new phases of the lives. In fact, things are going so well, especially between the happy couple, that Aniq gets to meet members of Zoë’s family at a wedding. But of course… that’s where the joy comes to a close. For there is murder most foul at this wedding and once again, Danner will have to be the mastermind to figure out what happened and well… that is genius through and through. Since it is the perfect way to bring a new case to life in a manner that is both organic and inventive and the magic of this new season doesn’t end there.

For season two features a more intricate case, which is saying something when one considers how much there was for us to absorb in season one. But that’s how this new season challenges the audience and the characters returning to this world and… what’s equally as impressive… is that the creative team found new and exciting genres to explore via the stories the characters will tell, about their recollection of the night of the murder. Allowing for this series to continue to break new ground when it comes to homages and tributes and of course… it allows the season two cast to truly shine as actors and take part in wild stories that captivate and tell us just enough about the case at hand. For we can never forget that a murder is indeed at hand and that someone is indeed responsible and must be brought to justice for their crime.

But we will have a lot of fun along the way in solving that case, courtesy of some top notch comedy. Because the jokes are just as perfect and just as side-splitting as they were in season one and they are delivered by some of the finest comedians out there. Since this year’s cast includes Poppy Liu, John Cho, and the always electric Ken Jeong, and even Elizabeth Perkins stops by to impress. And they of course, compliment Tiffany Hadish, Sam Richardson, and Zoë Chao nicely, and well… all of these elements bring forth one incredible season of storytelling. One that keeps us guessing, draws us in and puts a smile on our faces, and the best news of all, is that we are days away from enjoying this dynamic new season. For season two of The Afterparty arrives on Apple TV+, tomorrow, with a two-episode season premiere, and we certainly hope you check it out and the rest of our pre-release coverage. Which includes an interview with Christopher Miller, Phil Lord, and Anthony King, as we count down the minutes to a new mystery from this refreshing series.  

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