"PEN15" returns with more suffering, dancing and ... boyfriends?! Watch the trailer

Anna and Maya return to middle school drama just in time for our holiday viewing

Published November 3, 2021 4:43PM (EDT)

Anna Konkle and Maya Erskine in "PEN15" (Lara Solanki/Hulu)
Anna Konkle and Maya Erskine in "PEN15" (Lara Solanki/Hulu)

The angst of Hulu's "PEN15" is finally back in time for the holiday season.

It's been over a year since the first chunk of Season 2 was released, so here's a little refresher. Last we saw Anna Konkle and Maya Erskine's dorky middle school alter egos, they had just finished their school play in triumph. Maya had made up (and maybe hinted at a mutual flirtation) with guy best friend Sam (Taj Cross), and Anna had to decide which of her parents she wanted to live with. Then, they drove off into the night in Anna's dad's new convertible, with even more questions about what comes next for our favorite adults being kids. 

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It wrapped up a season in which the girls reckoned with their own friendship being tested, increasing animosity between Anna's parents, Maya's flirtationship with her play's costar, Anna's flirtationship with theater techie Steve (Chau Long) . . .  and witchcraft. As one does in middle school.


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If you're feeling a bit antsy, Hulu did drop a bonus animated episode this past August that acts as a bridge between the two halves of the season. In the special one-off, the girls have escaped to Florida, where they come to grips with their insecurities and drink for the first time. 

But now it's back to reality. In the new trailer released Wednesday, we see it's full of ups and downs. Anna has a little luck in the boyfriend department, while her parents' divorce continues to create havoc at home. Meanwhile, Maya really wants a cell phone, may have some dating drama of her own and even considers running away from home. 

The new "PEN15" episodes premiere Friday Dec. 3 on Hulu. Watch the trailer below via Youtube. 

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By Trish Rooney

Trish Rooney is an Editorial Intern with Salon and a graduate journalism student at New York University. Follow her on Twitter @trishroooney.

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