‘Girl Meets World’ Creator Previews Season 3: ‘High School Will Not Be an Easy Adjustment’
“High school is the most confusing, awful, terrible and ultimately – if you do it right – wonderful springboard into college and the rest of your life,” Michael Jacobs tells TheWrap
Linda Ge | March 11, 2016 @ 6:00 PM
Last Updated: March 11, 2016 @ 6:57 PM
Disney Channel
(Spoiler alert: Please do not read on if you have not seen Friday’s Season 2 finale of “Girl Meets World.”)
The cast of “Girl Meets World” has graduated from middle school, but still find themselves as confused as ever when it comes to the show’s central love triangle.
As Riley (Rowan Blanchard), Maya (Sabrina Carpenter) and Lucas (Peyton Meyer) tried to talk through their feelings for each other, no decision could be made as to which girl Lucas should be with, and the plot point is left dangling.
Luckily, the show has been picked up for a third season and the triangle will be picked back up as the gang heads into high school.
“It’s a very fitting season finale,” creator and showrunner Michael Jacobs told TheWrap. “I think what ‘Legacy’ actually is, is a bridge between Season 2 and Season 3. I think people who are coming to look for resolution of the triangle are going to say, ‘hey!’ but I think they’re going to understand, we are lifting what I hope is a rocket of stories to the next stage, the next level.”
Below, Jacobs also talks about how the recurring character of Josh (Uriah Shelton) will have an impact on future storylines, and how big of a tonal shift the show will take as it leads its cast into high school.
When will we see this triangle get resolved?
This will be answered in Season 3. It will span probably a third to a half of Season 3. Not as primary focus, but always as an underlying thing in existence for the characters. And then when we bring it up to primary, we will resolve it in a way that shows an answer to a much bigger question, which is, how do young people at this age perceive relationships? What is the value of them? And what are our friendships, really? If the audience perceives that what we’re talking about is 14-year olds in love, they have missed what we’re doing entirely. All of this will explain itself as part of the season.
Uriah Shelton was in a bad accident and had to be written out of a couple of episodes this season. How did losing the character of Josh from certain storylines impact things?
This boy is so brave and such a good kid. His inclusion in Season 2 would have only made things more complicated and better. That will happen in Season 3. There will be complications. Josh will be the center of some of those complications. Josh’s inclusion in Season 3 will really be what we wanted to do in Season 2, which is nothing is easy. Nothing in life that is valuable is an easy road. We’re going to use Josh to just add what we think is texture and growth to the other characters.
An audience of 6 and 7-year-olds want to know what the 10-year-olds are doing.An audience of 10-year-olds want to know what the 13-year-olds are doing. Well, these girls who are 14 and 15 this year, want to know what the 17- and 18-year olds are doing, and this is Josh. They’ll get to find an entrance, a mirror of what the next steps for them are going to be. They move into high school, and let me tell you high school will not be an easy adjustment for this cast. And Josh will move into college. That will be what’s next for our girls. They’ll be able to look forward and Josh will show them the next step of evolution. So he’s a very important character. I am very, very happy Uriah has recovered completely and it is our intent to make Josh an important part of Season 3.
How much of a shift in tone or subject matter or anything else will there be as the gang heads to high school?
Big shift. If you look at the first year and second year, I think there was a big shift between Year 1 and Year 2. I think there will be a bigger shift between Year 2 and Year 3. I think that this is honest. I think that to do things for the sake of television is a mistake. To do that special episode, that completely takes out of context the honest look at growing up, is a mistake. So what we’ve tried to do – we did it with “Texas,” the three-part episode – we’re starting out with a two-part episode of their entering of high school. What we’re trying to do is give you very intriguing and compelling episodes, but never breaking the thread of truth. Yes, this honestly happens in high school. I think high school is the most confusing, awful, terrible and ultimately – if you do it right – wonderful springboard into college and the rest of your life. But it’s high school we remember. So these are the episodes I want you to remember and we’re trying to do our best.
How will you tackle heavier subjects that come up in high school, like sex or underage drinking?
We’re on Disney Channel. As long as this show runs on Disney Channel, we want to honor the people who invited us to play at their house. They’ve been very good to us, and they have let us push the envelope about as much as they have. We will tackle heavier subjects, and we will explore them, but we will also honor the fact that our demographic starts at 6 years old. If the so-called triangle resolves and Lucas and Riley chose each other, or Maya and Lucas chose each other, and that meant that they decided to further their relationship, which might explore, naturally, what comes next, we can’t do it in such a way that the younger demographic of the audience goes, “ew, I don’t want to watch that,” and we can’t do it in such a way that the older demographic in the audience goes, “that’s not honest and believable.” What we will do is honestly show you within the parameters of what I think and what the staff thinks is correct. Lovely episodes, which will touch on all the same subjects that “Boy Meets World” did.
“Girl Meets World” will return for Season 3 in spring 2016.
55 First Looks at New and Returning 2016 TV Shows (Exclusive Photos)
"Galavant" (ABC): ABC's quirky musical comedy is back for even more absurdity, with a meta first episode titled "A New Season aka Suck It Cancellation Bear."
"Cooper Barrett's Guide to Surviving Life" (Fox): The single-camera comedy from creator Jay Lacopo looks at the lives of young people straight out of college.
“Bordertown” (Fox): Two families become embroiled in romance, conflict and friendship in this new animated comedy from “Family Guy” writer Mark Hentemann and executive produced by Seth MacFarlane.
“The Bachelor” (ABC): The 20th season of the popular dating reality show sees Ben Higgins, who was rejected by the latest “Bachelorette” Kaitlyn, as the newest single catch fending off and deciding between twenty-one new contestants.
"The Biggest Loser" (NBC): The reality weight loss competition is back for more bootcamp style transformations, welcoming new host Bob Harper to the gym.
"New Girl" (Fox): Jess will have "jury duty" for about five episodes as Zooey Deschanel makes room for Megan Fox, but she'll stick around long enough to see Schmidt plan his wedding to Cece.
"Teen Wolf" (MTV): Scott and Stiles will have to put aside their differences when MTV's hit series returns for the second half of Season 5. Stiles' dad, the Sheriff, is still in grave danger, and there's tons of new mysteries to solve. BFF drama can wait.
"The Shannara Chronicles" (MTV): The home of "Teen Wolf" dives deep into high fantasy with this adaptation of Terry Brooks' bestselling series of YA novels. Young heroes are tested as the dying Ellcrys tree inflects deadly demons upon the earth.
"Mike and Molly" (CBS): Melissa McCarthy returns for one final season of CBS' hit sitcom. The shortened 13-episode final season was announced by co-star Rondi Reeds, prompting McCarthy to share via Twitter that she too was "shocked and heartbroken" upon learning of the cancellation.
"American Crime" (ABC): John Ridley's anthology drama returns for a second season and a brand new story, this time involving an accusation of rape on a college campus.
"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" (FXX): Mac, Dennis, Dee and Charlie are in for more shenanigans at Paddy's in the eleventh season of the hit comedy.
“Shades of Blue” (NBC): Jennifer Lopez makes a rare return to scripted television in this event series, also starring Ray Liotta, about a group of tough Brooklyn cops who are not afraid to sometimes step outside the confines of the law in order to protect their city.
“Angel From Hell” (CBS): The network's newest sitcom follows Jane Lynch as Amy, a colorful, brassy woman who insinuates herself into Allison's (Maggie Lawson) organized and seemingly perfect life, claiming to be her "guardian angel."
"Shameless" (Showtime): Frank discovers religion on Season 6 of Showtime's popular dark family dramedy following the Gallaghers. The new season finds the scrappy family struggling with change and the possibility of growing apart.
"Pretty Little Liars" (ABC Family): The mystery of "A" has been solved and t's five years later for Aria, Hanna, Spencer, Emily and Alison, but danger is not far behind. Cheers to Season 6B!
"Shadowhunters" (ABC Family): Cassandra Clare's bestselling YA novels get a makeover adaptation in this series about Clary Fray, who discovers she's destined to be a protector of the human race from demons that lurk around every corner.
"Second Chance" (Fox): Formerly known as "The Frankenstein Code," then "Lookinglass," Fox's newest science fiction drama is about a morally corrupt cop who's brought back to life decades later in a newer, younger, stronger body - and the consequences of that.
"Younger" (TV Land): Season 2 of TVLand's dramedy starring Sutton Foster sees Liza navigating choppier romantic waters with Josh and Charles, as well as the return of her daughter Caitlin.
(Special back to back 2-episode Season 2 premiere episode airs Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 10 p.m. ET)
"Teachers" (TV Land): This teachers-behaving-badly comedy is based on the popular web series of the same name, also written by and starring six members of the improv group Katydids.
(Premieres Wednesday, Jan. 13 at 11 p.m. ET, regularly airs Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m.)
TV Land
"Colony" (USA) A drama about life in Los Angeles during an occupation by aliens reunites star Josh Holloway and executive producer Carlton Cuse, who worked together on "Lost."
"Billions" (Showtime): The network's newest drama stars Damian Lewis and Paul Giamatti as two powerful men who blur the lines between good and evil in their rivalry.
"DC's Legends of Tomorrow" (The CW): Heroes and villains of "Arrow" and "The Flash" team up to travel through time and take down an immortal villain, Vandal Savage, who just may conquer the planet should they fail in their mission.
"The 100" (The CW): The third season of the post-apocalyptic drama picks up three months after the catastrophic events of the Season 2 finale. Clarke is on the run and in danger, and Bellamy is trying to hold things together back at Camp Jaha. And a certain AI is still out there somewhere with a warhead that could destroy what's left of humanity.
“Baskets” (FX): Zach Galifianakis stars in this new comedy as Chip Baskets, who sets out to conquer his dream of becoming a professional clown. Flunking out of a prestigious Paris clown school, Chip finds himself working at a local rodeo in Bakersfield, CA instead.
"Black Sails" (Starz): Toby Stephens is back as Captain Flint as Season 3 of Starz's pirate adventure drama takes on the battle for Nassau. This season will also introduce Ray Stevenson as Blackbeard.
"The X-Files" (Fox): Mulder and Scully are back to give it one last shot at solving the mystery of aliens and government cover-ups. But they'll have time for a side case or two, as most episodes of the revival event series will feature standalone stories.
"Lucifer" (Fox): The latest DC comic book adaptation sees the devil himself doing some good. Lucifer, bored with hell, moves to Los Angeles (where else) and teams up with an LAPD detective to solve crimes. "Gotham" crossover anyone?
"The Fosters" (ABC Family): The third season of the acclaimed blended family series sees everyone settling into a new dynamic now that Callie is permanently adopted, while medical problems, secrets and relationship drama threaten everyone's happiness.
"Recovery Road" (ABC Family): Teenage drinking has serious consequences on ABC Family's latest drama, which features a high school student who is forced into rehab or risk expulsion.
“Suits” (USA): The second half of Season 5 returns to see the repurcussions of Mike behind bars, five seasons of lies and deception finally caught up to him. But don’t expect the mystery of who turned him in to be solved right away. The Patrick J. Adams-led drama has already been renewed for a sixth season.
"Grease Live" (Fox): The live musical event obsession continues, and now Fox is getting into the fun with a live production of "Grease," starring Aaron Tveit as Danny and Julianne Hough as Sandy.
“The People v O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story” (FX): Ryan Murphy takes his anthology series prowess to dramatically retell the Trial of the Century, following the murder of Nicole Brown Simpson and subsequent trial of former NFL star O.J. Simpson. Cuba Gooding Jr. plays Simpson, with Sarah Paulson, John Travolta, David Schwimmer and more starring.
"Vinyl" (HBO): Bobby Cannavale plays a record executive in the 1970s who's searching for the next life-changing sound and band. Terrence Winter, Martin Scorsese and Mick Jagger are EPs.
"11/22/63" (Hulu): A schoolteacher, Jake Epping, discovers he can travel back in time - and decides to try to stop the JFK assassination. The 10-hour adaptation of Stephen King novel stars James Franco.
(Premieres at midnight on President's Day, Feb. 15)
"Better Call Saul" (AMC): Jimmy McGill continues his journey to becoming Walter White's lawyer Saul Goodman in Season 2 of the hit "Breaking Bad' spinoff series.
"Vikings" (History): The cable network bolstered its hit action series, adding four episodes to the fourth season of the Travis Fimmel-led show. The first 10 episodes air in February, with another 10 set for later in 2016.
“Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders” (CBS): The latest “Criminal Minds” series follows the International Repsonse Unit, the FBI division which is tasked with solving crimes and coming to the rescue of Americans who find themselves in danger while abroad.
“Of Kings and Prophets” (ABC): The Ray Winstone drama is described as an epic biblical saga of faith, ambition and betrayal as told through the eyes of the battle-weary King Saul, the resentful prophet Samuel and the resourceful young shepherd David — all on a collision course with destiny that will change the world.
"Underground" (WGN America): The 10-part miniseries is described as a pulse-pounding journey with revolutionaries of the Underground Railroad and tells the unflinching story of a group of courageous men and women who band together for the fight of their lives – for their families, their future and their freedom.
(Premieres Wednesday, Mar. 9)
WGN America
"The Catch" (ABC): ABC’s latest Shondaland drama stars Mireille Enos as a fraud expert who finds herself being conned, by her own fiance, who’s been working with his real lover in stealing all her money. This one underwent a bit of a makeover with the recasting of two of its leads. Peter Krause and Sonya Walger replaced Damon Dayoub and Bethany Joy Lenz, respectively.
"Hap and Leonard" (Sundance TV): Based on the series of stories by Joe Lansdale, this anthology series follows the adventures of best friends Hap Collins and Leonard Pine. The two are chronically single, perpetually broke and guided by an old fashioned sense of honor and morality – but the similarities end there.
(Premieres in March on Sundance TV)
Sundance TV
"Jackie Robinson" (PBS): The two-part Ken Burns documentary explores the life of the Brooklyn Dodgers legend who broke baseball's color barrier.
"Hunters" (Syfy): Based on Whitley Strieber’s best-selling novel "Alien Hunter," Syfy's latest comes from "Walking Dead's" Gale Ann Hurd and follows an FBI agent on the trail of a shadowy terrorist organization, who may or may not be from this world.
"12 Monkeys" (Syfy): Cole and Cassie do more time traveling and end up in the 1940s for at least some amount of time in Season 2 of Syfy's adaptation of the film of the same name - though the series is decidedly its own thing at this point.
"Outlander" (Starz): Jamie and Claire travel to France in Season 2 of the popular Diana Gabaldon adaptation, where they will try to change history and maybe raise a baby at the same time.
"Containment" (The CW): "The Vampire Diaries" and "The Originals" showrunner Julie Plec adds another project to her plate with this drama set in the immediate aftermath of a catastrophic viral outbreak.
Exclusive new images from “Pretty Little Liars,” “The X-Files,” “12 Monkeys” and more shows coming in midseason
"Galavant" (ABC): ABC's quirky musical comedy is back for even more absurdity, with a meta first episode titled "A New Season aka Suck It Cancellation Bear."