Almost six months ago, Zoey’s special playlist was canceled after the second season on NBC; It now has a second life on Roku with Zoey’s Unusual Christmas, a holiday-themed movie that picks up where the beloved musical series began.
It also marks Roku’s first step into the original show, and premiered in downtown Los Angeles on Tuesday, where creator Austin Winsberg reflected on the show’s whirlwind year.
“After we got this surprise from NBC that the show wasn’t going to come back – nobody expected that – and then like can we set this up somewhere else? Is it possible to do more? “, Winsberg said The Hollywood Reporter on the red carpet, as the television service showed interest in continuing the story as talks raged at Peacock.
That cancellation, between Emmy raves and critical acclaim, “was a great thing,” Winsberg said, “and I’m really sorry it happened. The show was so personal to me that the concept of it was gone, I couldn’t even look back. ”
Skylar star Astin added that following news that the show would be ending with a season two, “it felt like it ended too soon and I think fans really felt that. We’re not driving a spoiler, that’s where the story is leading us, and it feels unresolved. “
And now cut into a Christmas movie, after Zoey (Jane Levy) and her family’s first holiday after her father (played by Peter Gallagher), passed away. “When we got this chance to make a holiday movie [it] like, ‘Oh my gosh, there’s a whole new world we can do,’ says Winsberg, performing the Christmas carols for the first time while also incorporating some of the relationship storylines that he He’s already planning a third. The fact that the project is continuing is down to a passionate fanbase, Levy said, hoping that “they know it’s all their fault and I’m grateful for their support.”
And although the film was originally proposed as a way to end the series, there were hopes among the cast and writers that the story would continue in some form.
“I definitely have thoughts about places we could go; I also have thoughts about other movie versions,” Winsberg said, and after experimenting with a long-term format, “I feel like, oh, movies are really fun, so maybe we should make more movies. more than just showing a number. If they are open to more, I will be open to more. ”
And Levy has some ideas of his own.
“Zoey’s Special Paris Vacation With Mo, Zoey’s amazing adventures in New Zealand with Max,” she suggested. “Anywhere we can travel looks great.”
Winsberg added, “If this is the end, I feel grateful that we had this opportunity. If that’s not the end, I’m glad we can move on and do more. “
Zoey’s Unusual Christmas Currently streaming on Roku.
