'High School Musical' Series Showrunner Teases Season 3 as Sendoff For Olivia Rodrigo & Nini

It sounds like season three will be the final season for Olivia Rodrigo on High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.

There was talk about whether she would return or not for the third season as her music career really exploded in 2021, and now it may be her last.

If you missed it, the Disney+ show has already been renewed for a fourth season.

In a new interview, showrunner and creator Tim Federle teased the upcoming season as a sendoff for Olivia and her character Nini.

See what he said inside…

Olivia‘s role in season three has been toned down to “Special Guest Star” from series regular. There are a few other series regulars who are also only guest stars in the upcoming season.

“I think she’s ready to explore the world outside the halls of East High,” Tim told ET. “And Olivia herself was having such a monumental explosion in the music industry that it felt like the right thing to, frankly, work with Olivia to say, ‘How do we get you out there into the world with us taking a little bit more of a backseat?’ Which we were all proud to do to support her.”

He also added that Nini’s trajectory will be surprising.

“And so this season it’s about trying to give her character a proper sendoff while also leaving room for other characters to really step into the fray and step into the spotlight,” Tim added. “And personally, it’s a joy to see Olivia‘s music explode in such a big way. It was so fun to have her back and reminisce on the beginning.”

At the end of season two, her character’s storyline was left a bit open ended, and Tim previously shared after that season that hers was left like that intentionally. It was later confirmed that she would in fact return.

ARE YOU SAD to see Olivia and Nini leave HSMTMTS??