Dolby Theatre transformed into a hotbed of mystery and star power on Saturday night as Peacock’s acclaimed series “Poker Face” took center stage at PaleyFest 2025. With creator Rian Johnson and star Natasha Lyonne leading the charge, the packed house of fans and industry insiders got an exclusive first look at the highly anticipated second season of the Emmy-nominated drama — along with a confirmed premiere date that’s sure to have subscribers marking their calendars.
For the uninitiated, “Poker Face” is a modern throwback to the mystery-of-the-week genre, blending sharp writing and a rotating roster of A-list guest stars with Lyonne’s magnetic turn as Charlie Cale, a drifter with an uncanny knack for spotting lies. Since its debut in 2023, the series has become a critical darling and a cornerstone of Peacock’s original slate, earning Lyonne an Emmy nod and cementing Johnson’s reputation as a master of the whodunit.
The PaleyFest panel was a who’s who of the show’s creative and onscreen talent. Lyonne, who also pulls double duty as an executive producer and director, shared the stage with Johnson, while cast members like Clea DuVall, Melanie Lynskey, Judith Light, Aidy Bryant, Haley Joel Osment, John Cho, and GaTa added to the electric atmosphere. The event, moderated with the Paley Center’s signature flair, doubled as a victory lap for a show that’s already generated buzz ahead of its sophomore run.
A Premiere Date and a Teaser That Packs a Punch
The night’s biggest reveal came early: “Poker Face” Season 2 will hit Peacock on May 8, 2025, kicking off with a three-episode premiere before settling into a weekly rollout for its remaining seven installments. The announcement was punctuated by the debut of a teaser trailer — a stylish, retro-tinged glimpse of Charlie Cale back on the road, solving crimes and dodging trouble with her signature blend of grit and charm.
“We’re picking up right where we left off,” Johnson told the crowd, hinting at a season that builds on the first’s episodic brilliance while deepening Charlie’s journey. “It’s Charlie against the world, one mystery at a time.” The teaser, which Peacock plans to release online later this week, leans heavily into the show’s 1970s aesthetic — think wide collars, dusty highways, and a killer needle drop — while teasing the parade of guest stars set to cross Charlie’s path.
Guest Stars Galore: Mulaney, Erivo, and More
Speaking of those guest stars, the PaleyFest panel offered a jaw-dropping rundown of the talent joining Season 2. John Mulaney, Cynthia Erivo, Katie Holmes, and Giancarlo Esposito lead a lineup that also includes BJ Novak, Carrie Coon, Zach Braff, and Sam Richardson, among others. It’s a testament to the show’s pull — and Johnson and Lyonne’s industry clout — that such heavy hitters are lining up to play victims, villains, and everything in between.
Lyonne, ever the showman, couldn’t resist a quip about the casting coup. “We basically called everyone we’ve ever met and said, ‘Want to come solve a murder with us?’” she joked. “Turns out, they all said yes.” Erivo and Mulaney even made virtual cameos during the panel, beaming in to praise the scripts and the collaborative vibe on set. “It’s rare to get material this good,” Erivo said, her enthusiasm palpable even through a screen.
Behind the Scenes: A Love Letter to Classic TV
For Johnson, who conceived “Poker Face” as a passion project after helming films like Knives Out and Glass Onion, the show remains a labor of love. “We’re channeling the spirit of shows I grew up on — Columbo, Rockford Files, Murder, She Wrote,” he explained. “But it’s not just nostalgia. It’s about taking that format and making it feel fresh for today.” Season 2, he teased, will push the visual palette even further, drawing inspiration from the likes of Robert Altman and Peter Bogdanovich to craft episodes that feel like “little movies.”
Lyonne echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the joy of playing Charlie week after week. “She’s this incredible mix of tough and tender,” she said. “Every episode, we get to drop her into a new world and watch her figure it out. It’s a dream role.” The actor-producer also hinted at directing more episodes this season, promising a few surprises behind the camera to match the onscreen twists.
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