Apple TV+ has revealed the Season 2 trailer for the animated musical comedy series Central Park, including the debut of Emmy Raver-Lampman as the new voice of Molly.
The trailer sees the Tillerman family "[continue] to navigate living in and caring for the world’s most famous park" while their awkward but well-meaning daughter Molly "experiences the trials and tribulations of adolescence." Audiences will be guided through the misadventures, as always, by "our friendly, fumbling, fiddler narrator, Birdie."
In Central Park's first season, Molly was voiced by Kristen Bell. However, following discussions about the representation of Black characters in the wake of the George Floyd protests, the show's creative team -- Loren Bouchard, Josh Gad, Nora Smith, Halsted Sullivan and Sanjay Shah -- made the decision to recast the role with a biracial actor to better reflect the character.
"We could not be more thrilled, honored and certain that we have found the perfect marriage of character to voice in the amazing Emmy Raver-Lampman," the team said when the recasting was announced. “From the moment we heard her Molly, we knew she was the right choice. Her comedic chops, endearing spirit and other-worldly singing prowess have us jumping with joy at the possibilities of this already wonderful character moving forward." They also expressed gratitude for Bell's work and said they are "[looking] for new ways to utilize Kristen’s brilliant vocal talents moving forward."
The synopsis for Season 2 of Central Park reads,
In season two of “Central Park,” the Tillerman family continues to navigate living in and caring for the world’s most famous park. Molly experiences the trials and tribulations of adolescence, Cole is challenged by a truly embarrassing moment at school, Paige continues to chase down the Mayor’s corruption story and Owen juggles managing the park, his staff and his family all with a smile on his face. Meanwhile, Bitsy inches ever closer to her sinister goal of claiming Central Park as her own; with Helen by her side, eternally wondering whether she’s made it into Bitsy’s will. Every step of the way, we are guided along by our friendly, fumbling, fiddler narrator, Birdie.
Central Park is written and executive produced by Loren Bouchard, Josh Gad and Nora Smith, with Halsted Sullivan, Sanjay Shah and Janelle Momary-Neely as additional executive producers. The show stars Emmy Raver-Lampman, Tituss Burgess, Daveed Diggs, Josh Gad, Kathryn Hahn, Leslie Odom Jr. and Stanley Tucci. Season 2 will premiere on June 25, 2021.
Source: YouTube