School Spirits (2023 TV series)

School Spirits is an American supernatural teen drama television series created by Megan Trinrud and Nate Trinrud that premiered on Paramount+ on March 9, 2023. The series, adapted from the forthcoming graphic novel by the Trinruds and Maria Nguyen, stars Peyton List, Kristian Ventura, Milo Manheim, and Spencer Macpherson. In June 2023, the series was renewed for a second season.

Summary
Set in the fictional town of Split River, Wisconsin, the show follows Maddie, a teen girl stuck in the afterlife investigating her own mysterious disappearance; she goes on a crime-solving journey as she adjusts to high school in the afterlife, but the closer she gets to the truth, the more secrets and lies she discovers.

Main

 * Peyton List as Maddie Nears
 * Kristian Ventura as Simon Elroy
 * Milo Manheim as Wally Clark
 * Spencer MacPherson as Xavier Baxter
 * Kiara Pichardo as Nicole Herrera
 * Sarah Yarkin as Rhonda
 * Nick Pugliese as Charley
 * Rainbow Wedell as Claire Zomer

Recurring

 * Josh Zuckerman as Mr. Martin
 * Maria Dizzia as Sandra Nears
 * RaeAnne Boon as Dawn
 * Patrick Gilmore as Mr. Anderson
 * Ian Tracey as Sheriff Baxter

Reception
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 83% approval rating with an average rating of 7.3/10, based on 18 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "School Spirits leaves some of its promising potential untapped, but Peyton List's splendid starring performance makes this paranormal mystery a solid watch for anyone who remembers the phantom pain of growing up."

Daniel D'Addario of Variety wrote, "Without losing sight of the sorrow of Maddie's story, School Spirits manages to be surprisingly sparky and fun—proof positive that there are new stories to tell about the institution no one would ever want to be stuck in for their entire afterlife." Daniel Fienberg of The Hollywood Reporter said, "Sometimes the familiar trappings of the high-school genre can open the door for a show to do wilder and more inventive things than more allegedly mature shows. School Spirits, unfortunately, takes no such liberties."