Thirteen years after we said goodbye to the halls of Hollywood Arts, the performing arts school is officially back on our screens. Netflix just dropped the new spinoff, "Hollywood Arts," and it is giving major Y2K energy. The 12-episode first season follows the original show’s Trina Vega—played once again by Daniella Monet—as she steps into a substitute teaching role at her old stomping grounds.
The Vibe Shift
Trina isn't exactly a seasoned educator. She’s a struggling actress who is tired of living in the shadow of her superstar sister, Tori. Armed with a massive Stanley cup and some seriously impractical heels, she’s trying to inspire a new generation of performers through her own eccentric methods. The show is definitely leaning into the "hokey" aesthetic, featuring a colorful, Lisa Frank-inspired look that feels like a total throwback to the Nickelodeon golden era.
Meet the New Squad
The new class features a mix of archetypes we know and love:
- Qwest (Peyton Jackson), a musician keeping a major secret about his enrollment.
- Oscar (Martin Kamm), the school’s main character energy poster boy.
- Emmy (Alyssa Miles), the tech-savvy stage manager who might just be the secret star of the group.
- Jen (Erika Swayze) and Pepper (Emmy Liu-Wang), the ultimate frenemy duo.
The show kicks off when the iconic Mr. Sikowitz (Eric Lane) retires, leaving Principal Helen (Yvette Nicole Brown) scrambling to find a replacement.
Why it matters
While the series is technically a "carbon copy" of the original Victorious playbook, it actually does something interesting by making Trina a relatable, thirtysomething mess who is still trying to figure her life out. It’s lighthearted, unserious, and perfectly fills that gap for preteens who aren’t quite ready for the heavy themes of YA dramas. Whether it’s innovative or not, the cast—especially Emmy Liu-Wang’s vocals—proves they can absolutely hold their own.
