Love, death and parties: Season 2 of ‘The Afterparty’ premieres on Apple TV+

Mention the words “high school reunion” to nearly any adult and chances are their initial reaction will be to cringe. Regardless of one’s unique experience in high school — whether popular, nerdy, athletic or one who flew under the radar — most “grown-ups” would rather move toward their future without reliving too much of their past. That said, there are exceptions to every rule.

Upon its early-2022 premiere, “The Afterparty” proved that a high school reunion could be much worse than a single serving of cringe. In Season 1, the murder of party-boy influencer and reunion organizer Xavier (Dave Franco, “The Disaster Artist,” 2017) turned one graduating class upside-down. Now, in Season 2, the gang is (partly) back to celebrate love — but, yes, there has been another death along the way.

The next installment of “The Afterparty” premieres Wednesday, July 12, exclusively on Apple TV+.

In the official promotion for the show, Apple TV+ warns prospective viewers that “nothing is as it seems” in “The Afterparty.” Centering on the titular afterparty of the aforementioned high school reunion in Season 1, each episode tells the same story — the story of the night in question — from a different angle. A truly unique storytelling device implemented by creator Christopher Miller (“The Lego Movie,” 2014) and his team of writers, each character’s personality, preferred aesthetic and biases come out through the manner in which they choose to tell the events.

For example, Season 1 sees Det. Danner (Tiffany Haddish, “Girls Trip,” 2017) investigate Xavier’s death by first interviewing Aniq (Sam Richardson, “Veep”), a professional escape room designer, who chooses to recount the evening as if it were a romantic comedy. Second up to the proverbial bat is Brett (Ike Barinholtz, “The Mindy Project”), who presents the night as if he were in a good-guy action flick, followed by Yasper (Ben Schwartz, “Parks and Recreation”), an aspiring musician trying to get a leg up on the industry by using Xavier’s high-profile contacts. To no one’s surprise, Yasper’s interview is told as a quirky, upbeat musical.

“Broad City” comedian Ilana Glazer also provides commentary on the evening as her character, Chelsea, a vet clinic receptionist who harbors some ill feelings toward the now-dead Xavier. Chelsea sees the night as a psychological thriller, while the remaining three partygoers-turned-witnesses — Walt (Jamie Demetriou, “Stath Lets Flats”), Zoë (Zoë Chao, “Love Life”) and Maggie (Everly Carganilla, “The Chair”) — each has their own very different stories to share during the final four episodes. Danner also gets a chance to speak.

It’s difficult to reveal the jumping-off point for Season 2 of a murder mystery without revealing at least some crucial details regarding Season 1, so suffice to say that only one person’s version of events can be the correct one, and, as Apple cautioned, it may not be what you’d expect. At the end of the day, however (or rather, the season), the murder is solved and the remaining former classmates can move on with their lives. Until Zoë’s sister’s wedding, that is.

“In Season 2, a wedding is ruined when the groom is murdered and every guest is a suspect,” the official synopsis reads. “Det. Danner returns to help Aniq and Zoë solve whodunit by questioning family members, star-crossed lovers and business partners, and hearing each suspect’s retelling of the weekend, each with their own unique perspective and visual style.”

In addition to the returning stars listed above, a host of new celebrities join the cast, including Zach Woods (“The Office”) as Edgar, the groom and murder victim; Poppy Liu (“Hacks”) as Grace, the grieving bride; Ken Jeong (“Community”) and Vivian Wu (“The Last Emperor,” 1987) as Feng and Vivian, Grace and Zoë’s parents; Elizabeth Perkins (“Weeds”) as Isabel, the late groom’s mother; and John Cho (“Cowboy Bebop”) as Grace and Zoë’s quirky Uncle Ulysses. Jack Whitehall (“Jungle Cruise,” 2021), Paul Walter Hauser (“Black Bird”) and Anna Konkle (“Rosewood”) also star as Sebastian, Travis and Hannah, respectively.

Touted as “a whodunit mystery but with a millennial flair,” by Collider writer Maddie P, “The Afterparty” Season 2 is comprised of 10 episodes, two more than its freshman season on the streamer. Originally slated for an April premiere, the newest instalment was tabled until July for reasons that remain unclear as of press time. At least now viewers get to enjoy a two-episode premiere.

Don’t be tardy for the party: Season 2 of “The Afterparty” premieres its first two episodes Wednesday, July 12, on Apple TV+.

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12 p.m. CBS LPGA Tour Golf Dana Open, Final Round. (Live)

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9 p.m. GOLF PGA Tour Golf Barbasol Championship, Final Round. (Live)

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