NICKELODEON REVEALS TRAILER AND PREMIERE DATE FOR ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK?: CURSE OF THE SHADOWS
Season Two Premiere Episode Debuts Friday, Feb. 12, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT)
HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--Jan. 8, 2021--Nickelodeon has revealed the trailer for the long-awaited season two debut of Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows, the beloved horror anthology series based on the '90s kids' cult classic. Produced by ACE Entertainment, the six-part limited series will premiere on Friday, Feb. 12, at 8 p.m. (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon, with new episodes airing every Friday night.
Are You Afraid of the Dark? Curse of the Shadows (2021) Official Trailer | Friday, Feb 12th at 8/7c
The Midnight Society returns with a new set of storytellers, and a terrifying new tale about a cursed seaside town that's being haunted by a mysterious figure named the Shadowman. Are You Afraid of the Dark? Curse of the Shadows premieres Friday, February 12th at 8/7c on Nickelodeon!
Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows follows an all-new Midnight Society group of kids who learn of the terrifying curse cast over their small seaside town, and are haunted by a mysterious creature known as the Shadowman. In the just-released trailer, viewers are introduced to the new Midnight Society members and get a glimpse at the horrors that await them in the shadows.
The new members of the Midnight Society are: Luke, played by Bryce Gheisar (The Astronauts, Wonder); Jai, played by Arjun Athalye; Hanna, played by Beatrice Kitsos (Child's Play, iZombie); Gabby, played by Malia Baker (The Baby-Sitters Club); Seth, played by Dominic Mariche (The Christmas Yule Blog, A Gift to Cherish); and Connor, played by Parker Queenan (Party of Five, Andi Mack).
Are You Afraid of the Dark? Curse of the Shadows BTS
The Midnight Society is back to face their darkest villain yet. Check out this exclusive behind the scenes look and don’t miss “Are You Afraid of the Dark? Curse of the Shadows” on Friday, February 12th at 8/7c!
Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows is produced by ACE Entertainment (To All The Boys I've Loved Before, The Perfect Date) with ACE founder Matt Kaplan and Spencer Berman serving as executive producers and Paul Kim as co-executive producer. Jeff Wadlow (Fantasy Island, Truth or Dare) serves as executive producer and the primary director for the series. JT Billings (Beware That Girl, Charming) serves as showrunner and executive producer.
Production of Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows for Nickelodeon is overseen by Shauna Phelan, Senior Vice President, Live-Action Scripted Content; and Zack Olin, Senior Vice President, Live Action. Brian Banks serves as Nickelodeon's Executive in Charge of Production for the series.
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| ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK SEASON 2 2020 GALLERY Pictured: Seth (DOMINIC MARICHE), Hanna (BEATRICE KITSOS), Gabby (MALIA BAKER), Jai (ARJUN ATHALYE), Luke (BRYCE GHEISAR), and Conner (PARKER QUEENAN) in ARE YOU AFRAID OF THE DARK on Nickelodeon. Photo: LINDSAY SIU/Nickelodeon. © 2020 Viacom International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
One of the Nickelodeon's most iconic series from the '90s, the original Are You Afraid of the Dark? delivered riveting stories of horror to young audiences, all from a kid's perspective. Are You Afraid of the Dark? is owned by DHX and was created by D.J. MacHale and Ned Kandel, who are also executive producers on the project.
About ACE Entertainment
ACE Entertainment, which was founded by producer Matt Kaplan in 2017, has been behind some of today's most relevant millennial content including the hit Netflix film To All The Boys I've Loved Before and its sequel To All the Boy's I've Loved Before: P.S. I Still Love You, The Perfect Date also starring Noah Centineo, the Netflix romantic drama Irreplaceable You and Spontaneous starring Katherine Langford. The company is developing the YA features 10 Blind Dates based on the novel by Ashley Elston, Replica based on Lauren Oliver's best-selling novel of the same name, the Vatican based thriller White Smoke with Nicholas McCarthy attached to write and direct, Loveboat Taipei based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name by Abigail Hing Wen and the family comedy Runaway based on the true story of a 12 year old who tricks his family, steals his mom's credit card and runs away to Bali for the trip of a lifetime. ACE Entertainment's television division has projects in development with almost every available streaming platform including Netflix, Disney + and Peacock.
About Nickelodeon
Nickelodeon, now in its 41st year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The brand includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, digital, location-based experiences, publishing and feature films. Nickelodeon and all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks of ViacomCBS Inc. (Nasdaq: VIACA, VIAC).
As the trailer begins, two members of the new Midnight Society -- Luke (Bryce Ghesiar) and Connor (Parker Queenan) -- enter a building. After Luke states that this might not be such a good idea, Connor mockingly asks him if he's afraid of the dark before the door slams shut on him. This is soon revealed to be a nightmare Luke was having.
A later scene shows that no one has seen Connor, the leader of the Midnight Society, "all day." Later, while looking at a photo, the group notices what member Hanna (Beatrice Kitsos) thinks might be a shadow, which is following Connor in every picture. During subsequent scenes, text reading, "Beware what lurks in the shadows" appears. The trailer ends with Hanna being sucked into her bed while screaming, followed by a shot of the series' title card.
Stills from the A.V. Club:
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From J-14:
Exclusive: ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark’ Season 2 Premiere Date Revealed: Meet the Cast
Meet the new Midnight Society! Nickelodeon’s highly anticipated Are You Afraid of the Dark? season 2 is almost here, and the new cast — which includes Bryce Gheisar, Arjun Athalye, Beatrice Kitsos, Malia Baker, Dominic Mariche and Parker Queenan — is ready to take on the curse of the shadows.
Based on the iconic 1990s TV show of the same name, Nickelodeon’s reimagined anthology series introduces viewers to a new story each season. For season 2, fans will get to know the sure-to-be mysterious Shadowman. So, mark your calendars, because the second season of Are You Afraid of the Dark? premieres on Nickelodeon on Friday, February 12, at 8 p.m. ET. Ahead of the show’s first episode, J-14 caught up with the show’s cast so fans could meet the new stars!
J-14: Introduce fans to your character, who do you play?
Bryce: I play Luke, a 14-year-old kid who is small for his age. He hasn’t really grown into himself all the way, [and] could be considered a cool kid, but he doesn’t feel the need to be — he has his friends and that’s all he needs.
Arjun: I play Jai Malya, the voice of logic and reason in the Midnight Society. He loves to read comics and scary stories but the idea of actually being part of one terrifies him. He is super sarcastic and loves to mess with his friends. His sense of fashion, along with everything else about him, is quite strange.
Beatrice: I play Hanna, who is a fearless strong leader in the Midnight Society. She cares greatly about others and the ongoing climate issues in the world today. She is filled with passion and bravery, and she never gives up in face of a problem.
Malia: I play Gabby Lewis, the town sweetheart. She’s sporty, she’s smiley, she’s a bit cynical and she’d do anything for her friends … Gabby is afraid of disappointing people, which is just one of the ways I think she’s super relatable.
Dominic: Seth is an annoying little brother who loves to bug his older sister, Hanna. He is constantly wanting to fit in with the Midnight Society.
Parker: Connor is adventurous, fun-loving and a self-sufficient guy. He enjoys life to the fullest and gets his kicks out of high-stimulation excitement that often involves putting himself in danger. He’s the kind of guy that likes challenges.
J-14: Do you relate to your character?
Bryce: I do relate to my character, I am not really into being known. The main reason I’m an actor is because I love the art of acting. I sometimes feel very small and acting makes me feel tall. This is very similar to how Luke feels, but with other things.
Arjun: Jai and I are very similar in a lot of ways. We’re both very sarcastic and stubborn, and we share a similar sense of humor. Jai is more of a comic nerd, but we share an interest in scary stories.
Beatrice: Hanna and I both care greatly about fighting climate change. It is incredibly important to speak up about these issues and make your voice heard … Hanna is also brave and strong, which I believe is something we share, even if I am not fighting the Shadowman daily. The last thing we relate on is sibling tension. My brother in the show, named Seth, is younger and our characters don’t get along easily. I have an older brother, who I sometimes have conflict with.
Malia: I think we both set super high standards for ourselves and try our best to reach those standards, but need to understand that it’s OK to not please everyone. We’re both smart, ambitious, nurturing, loyal and love our friends!
Dominic: I also want to be surrounded by people I admire, and to be liked and included. Plus, we both love to bug people.
Parker: I can definitely relate to Connor. He’s a softy at heart, I feel.
J-14: What’s it been like starring in a horror show? Were you ever scared while shooting?
Bryce: It’s amazing to be in a horror show. I don’t get scared because of the people behind the mask … I can’t keep a straight face on set half the time.
Arjun: Seeing what goes into the scares is so much fun … I personally don’t get scared very often, but the director definitely does whatever they can to get us into that horror mindset.
Beatrice: I love acting in a scary show! It’s not only so much fun to film, but it reassures me that everything is fake. I do get scared, only when the Shadowman is around. Just looking at him makes me nervous that he might pounce and bring me to the dark side.
Malia: I love being on a horror show, it’s so new and super exciting! I think I’ve gotten used to everything on set by now, but I do admit to being terrified seeing the Shadowman for the first time.
Dominic: It’s really fun! It’s not too hard not to get scared, though.
Parker: I love being in a horror show. No, I don’t get scared by it because the “horror” is in slow motion. You see the mechanisms behind it, but that doesn’t make the end result any less real in the end.
J-14: Can you tease your favorite scene?
Bryce: I can’t share yet. It gives away too much!
Arjun: The group action scenes are always super exhilarating and fun to shoot. Shooting in the high school is also really nostalgic, it reminds me of what it was like to actually physically be in school.
Beatrice: There’s one where all the kids are in the art classroom having a secret meeting. It was just such a fun scene to film because of all the improvisation.
Malia: One of my favorite scenes that I’ve filmed so far has been the scenes where we all run through the forest. We did those the first two days of set, so everything was still so new.
Dominic: We filmed a scene about me standing on a stage in front of all of Shadow Bay High School, and it was super fun to film.
Parker: My favorite scenes to shoot were the ones that would exemplify a different side of my character because I’d so often be playing the menacing, dual side of Connor.
J-14: Did you get along with your costars when the cameras stop rolling?
Bryce: We hang out whenever we can!
Arjun: We’re all very close and, thankfully, get along very well. We try to hang out whenever we can … I think our friendship in real life comes through with the characters on the show.
Beatrice: Yes, we definitely do, it’s been an honor to work with such positive, fun and talented actors. Even when we are not on set, we are often FaceTiming, or texting one another. We like to get together on weekends, if possible, and hang out, watch movies and get takeout. Acting with then has been such a privilege, and I can’t wait to work with all of them in the future.
Malia: They’re all so talented and I think we had a great connection from the start! When we’re not rolling or in school, we are all together.
Dominic: They are super friendly! We chat and joke around when we are off camera.
Parker: I get to play the bad guy in a lot of the show, and I actually get along with my costars up until the cameras start rolling … but yeah, they’re a great group of people.
J-14: Can you remember any fun behind-the-scenes stories from set?
Bryce: It’s very fun on the set, so sometimes when I have a scene that is serious I’ll look at a castmate and just start laughing.
Arjun: During lunch we will sneak away from the lunch area and eat in one of our character’s rooms, where I’ve formed some great memories.
Beatrice: At the beginning of [shooting], I said I could do a handstand and failed miserably, which caused all of the cast to come closer together with laughter.
Malia: Some fun behind-the-scenes moments are probably anytime we break character!
Dominic: Some of the lines are improvised!
Parker: When we’d shoot in semi-public settings, it was always funny to see random pedestrians be totally startled by this seven-foot-tall Shadowman walking around, especially because they were grown adults and it was broad daylight.
J-14: What was your reaction to being cast in such an iconic show?
Bryce: I heard about the old show and thought that it would be cool to create something people would feel nostalgic about.
Arjun: Getting casted for this season was mind-blowing. This is my first job on film, and I’m so grateful I get to be a part of an iconic show that so many people have enjoyed.
Beatrice: I was extremely excited and overwhelmed with joy.
Malia: I watched the original show when I was younger and absolutely loved it, so I was very excited to be a part of this!
Dominic: When I found out they picked me to play the role of Seth, I was excited, as this was my first series regular role!
Parker: I loved the first season they did for the reboot in 2019, so I was pumped to hear I got the role. It’s still crazy to see 30-year-old men sort of fanboy out when they hear that me and the cast are in the new Midnight Society.
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From Surrey Now-Leader:
Surrey actor shines on ‘Dark’ Nickelodeon show aimed at kids his age
Dominic Mariche in horror anthology
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| Dominic Mariche as Seth in Nickelodeon’s “Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows.” (submitted photo) |
A young Surrey-based actor is among stars of Nickelodeon’s second-season TV series, “Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows.”
Dominic Mariche (instagram.com/dommariche) plays caped kid Seth in the horror anthology, based on the 1990s kids’ cult classic, alongside Vancouver-area actors Beatrice Kitsos (as Hanna) and Malia Baker (Gabby).
The six-part series, shown Friday nights on Nickelodeon starting Feb. 12, follows a Midnight Society group of kids who learn of a curse cast over their small seaside town, and are haunted by a mysterious creature known as The Shadowman.
On YouTube, the new-season trailer has been viewed more than a million times since posted on Jan. 8.
In the show, Dominic plays Hanna’s younger brother, “who’s the exact opposite of her dark disposition,” according to a Nickelodeon-issued bio. “Hoping to find a group of best friends of his own, he’s determined to be a member of the Midnight Society and always tags along with them. He may be the littlest of the group, but he’s also the loudest and enjoys performing magic tricks for anyone willing to watch.”
Scenes for the series were filmed across Metro Vancouver, at locations that included a barn and lighthouse.
Dominic, 12, got into acting at the age of eight by starring in commercials, and quickly began booking film and TV roles. Most recently, he can be seen in Lifetime’s film “The Christmas Yule Blog” and Hallmark’s movie “Cherished Memories: A Gift to Remember 2,” as well as Apple TV+’s “See,” NBC’s “The InBetween” and The CW’s “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow.”
When not acting, the Grade 7 student enjoys playing video games, guitar and singing, as well as biking or scootering with friends. “He’s a big animal lover and is passionate about helping them through supporting the SPCA,” the bio notes.
In 2018, Dominic was among winners of Joey Awards, recognizing young talents in film and television from across Canada. A student at White Rock acting studio The Drama Class, he was named best actor in a television or movie featured role in the four- to nine-year-old age group for “The Crossing.” He also earned an award as part of the best ensemble in a television commercial, recognizing his work on the Got Milk series of commercials.
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From Just Jared Jr.:
Get To Know Are You Afraid of The Dark's Arjun Athalye With 10 Fun Facts (Exclusive)
JJJ is getting to know the cast of Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows ahead of the premiere on Friday (February 12).
Leading up to the new season, over the next few days, we’re bringing you all the info on who plays who, and learning more about the actors – starting with Arjun Athalye!
Arjun stars as Jai, the voice of reason within the Midnight Society. He considers himself a hyper-intelligent 40 year-old, even though he really just repeats sentence fragments he hears adults say. Jai’s a believer in logic and science, which sometimes makes it hard for him to fully embrace his imagination.
Curse of the Shadows follows an all-new Midnight Society group of kids who learn of the terrifying curse cast over their small seaside town, and are haunted by a mysterious creature known as the Shadowman. In the just-released trailer, viewers are introduced to the new Midnight Society members and get a glimpse at the horrors that await them in the shadows. Watch the trailer here.
Are You Afraid of the Dark? season two premieres THIS Friday (February 12) at 8pm ET/PT on Nickelodeon!
Get to know Arjun with our exclusive 10 Fun Facts below:
1. I’ve been to all seven wonders of the world. My family loves to travel and I’ve been blessed to visit a bunch of different countries and experience so many beautiful cultures.
2. I used to be afraid of tomatoes. Not like ketchup or tomato sauce just like raw tomatoes. Idk why, but something about them just gives me the creeps.
3. My hand is weirdly flexible so I can bend my thumb backwards till it touches my wrist. Also, my pinky is all crooked.
4. I’ve eaten a bunch of weird things like Alpaca meat, Camel meat, Crickets and even Dr Pepper.
5. I play percussion in a Symphony Orchestra.
6. My favorite TV show right now is Attack on Titan. Some of my others are Ozark, Breaking Bad, Succession, Maniac and Game of thrones (Seasons 1-7).
7. I love puzzles and problem solving, so I do a lot of escape rooms, scavenger hunts and geocaching.
8. I put cereal before milk, but then i microwave it because soggy cereal is a divine blessing. I hope to one day start a soggy cereal company and share my message with the world.
9. I’m from New Jersey but I live so close to NYC that I just say I’m from New York.
10. I did a lot of musical theater before I got into film. I’m a horrible dancer so it’s probably good I got into acting.
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From Celeb Secrets:
“Are You Afraid Of The Dark?” Star Bryce Gheisar Talks About Life On Set and Filming Season 2!
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| Photo: LINDSAY SIU/Nickelodeon. © 2020 Viacom International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. |
The young actor sits down with Celeb Secrets to share his favorite memories on the show.
Get ready for a new season of horror and spooks! Nickelodeon’s series, Are You Afraid Of The Dark?: Curse of the Shadows is back with an all-new Midnight Society group of kids who find themselves being haunted by a mysterious creature, the “Shadowman.”
The series features a brand new cast, including Nickelodeon’s The Astronauts star, Bryce Gheisar, who plays Luke, a member of the Midnight Society whose bright and imaginative mind create stories of adventures and monsters.
This is Gheisar’s first time featuring in the horror/suspense genre of entertainment! He revealed that the atmosphere on the set was different than his previous projects.
“The tone on set is different,” Gheisar explains, “On a light-hearted comedy show you can bounce ideas off each other and have more fun while filming a scene. A lot of times on shows like this it is more serious on set, especially during more emotional scenes.
Although there was a more serious atmosphere on set, Gheisar said that there’s also been fun moments with the cast when the cameras were off.
“Near the beginning of filming we went out to eat and I made some of the cast members try oysters for the first time,” Gheisar told Celeb Secrets. He also revealed that co-star Malia Baker was not a fan of oysters and was “disgusted.”
Gheisar discusses more about life on set of “Are You Afraid Of The Dark?: Curse of the Shadows” with Celeb Secrets and shares a secret about filming the show that fans may not know!
Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows premieres on Nickelodeon on Friday, February 12th, at 8 PM (ET/PT)! The six-episode limited series will release episodes every Friday.
Check out our Q&A and don’t forget to leave a reaction down below or tweet us at [...] to let us know how excited you are for “Are You Afraid Of The Dark?”.
Celeb Secrets: In your previous work, you’ve done mostly action, comedy, and more light-hearted genres. What was it like to act in a fantasy, suspense, dark-sided genre?
Bryce Gheisar: “It was a lot of fun to see how everything in a show like this was filmed. I love to watch suspenseful fantasy shows, so I liked following the story line as-well.”
CS: What are the differences between working in a light-hearted genre vs a fantasy suspense genre?
BG: “I think the tone on set is different. On a light-hearted comedy show you can bounce ideas off each other and have more fun while filming a scene. A lot of times on shows like this it is more serious of set, especially during more emotional scenes.”
CS: Were there any scenes that were difficult to film?
BG: “There were scenes in episode one that were difficult to film, such as scenes where we are in the woods. It was tough because we had to run along a certain path each time and if we went a different way the cameras wouldn’t be able to catch us.”
CS: Did you have a favorite scene to film?
BG: “I cannot disclose information from the later episodes, but the first episode had a lot of fun scenes. I love the scene of me running through the woods full speed because it made me feel like Tom Cruise.”
CS: What were some of your favorite memories with the cast filming season 2 of “Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows?”
BG: “My favorite part of filming with the cast was near the beginning of filming when we went out to eat. I made some of the cast members try oysters for the first time. Malia [Baker] was disgusted.”
CS: The “Are You Afraid of the Dark” series was a very beloved season by previous generations. What’s it like to be a part of something that has that kind of history?
BG: “I feel very honored to be a part of such a nostalgic series that has established itself in the horror genre. I love seeing the ratings for the last season that shows how many adults still enjoy the show.”
CS: Can we expect you to do more TV and film in the fantasy suspense genre in the future?
BG: “There are so many twists and turns in the acting business, so I will be grateful wherever that leads me. I think it would be very cool to explore this genre even more.”
CS: Since we’re Celeb Secrets, what is a secret tidbit about “Are You Afraid of the Dark?” that you can share with your fans?
BG: “I can’t say much about the actual show, but I can share this: For all the scenes that an evil presence was nearby and the candles went out, it was actually a guy with an air gun.”
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From Bloody Disgusting (SPOILERS AHEAD!!!):
[Review] “Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows” Unleashes New Boogeyman and Gateway Chills
Nickelodeon’s revival of their popular ‘90s horror anthology series retooled how the Midnight Society submitted tales of terror for approval, luring in a new generation of fans. The three-part, self-contained limited series eschewed the episodic format in favor of a season-long story arc, and it proved to be a hit with younger audiences. For its sophomore outing, Are You Afraid of the Dark? gets an expanded episode count and a new Midnight Society, as the story shifts to a foggy seaside setting with its own horror-filled mystery. The premiere episode of Curse of the Shadows introduces an even more menacing boogeyman and spooky chills that send season two off with a solid start.
The opening brings one of the original series’ most memorable and recurring places into focus: Sardo’s Magic Mansion. Late at night, a teenager breaks into the magic shop to steal an old, locked away book. It sparks a thrilling sequence that winds up with the teen abruptly vanishing in the woods. The following morning, we’re introduced to Luke (Bryce Gheisar), a horror fan and best friend of the opening’s teen, Connor (Parker Queenan). Throughout the school day, Luke notices his best pal is missing and checks in with fellow members of the Midnight Society, Jai (Arjun Athalye), Hanna (Beatrice Kitsos), and Gabby (Malia Baker). Their joint search, along with Hanna’s brother Seth (Dominic Mariche), leads them to realize that the town’s urban legend of the Shadowman is real, and it’s connected to their friend’s disappearance.
Showrunner/Writer JT Billings and executive producer/director Jeff Wadlow (Fantasy Island, Truth or Dare) pack a lot into the premiere episode. It establishes the key players, the background behind the season’s big bad, and gives a feel for the foggy fishing town of Shadow Bay while sneaking in a few nods to the original series- like a Ghastly Grinning comic book. All of it feels organic and perfectly paced.
With the Midnight Society’s storytelling sessions on pause while they look for Connor, the premiere finds a clever workaround to deliver exposition. It gives Sardo (Ryan Beil) the ritualistic storytelling reigns, who regales the group with the Shadowman story. The story-within-a-story framework works as a nod to the original show and relays the Shadowman curse rules, entirely crafted around a sequence designed to terrify the show’s young viewers. Just when it seems it could be too frightening, cue Sardo to bring levity from the comfort of his magic shop.
The episode gives Luke the emotional stakes to carry him through what should be a haunting journey, thanks to a terrifyingly designed Shadowman and its ability to exploit our fears of the dark. But the densely packed ep doesn’t give us much time to get to know the rest of the group in any meaningful way, outside of a few key personality traits. With five more episodes on the way and the closing hook that threatens imminent danger, that’s likely to change.
Curse of the Shadows creatively uses scares to draw you in while setting up all the essential pieces of the narrative. It’s packed to the brim with worldbuilding and introductory elements that don’t feel overstuffed, thanks to an innovative story structure. The only thing it didn’t leave room for was for its Midnight Society, but a more extended season should provide more room to flesh these characters out fully. It’s a small nitpick, though, considering the premiere plunges them straight into the deep end of a nightmarish scenario that might leave younger viewers sleeping with a night light.
Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows premieres Friday, February 12, on Nickelodeon.
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From J-14:
TV Review : Nickelodeon’s ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark?’ Season 2 Premiere Will Keep Viewers Wanting More
Get ready to get spooked by the Shadowman with Are You Afraid of the Dark? Curse of the Shadows season 2!
When J-14 exclusively caught up with the cast of the Nickelodeon show’s last month, stars Bryce Gheisar, Arjun Athalye, Beatrice Kitsos, Malia Baker, Dominic Mariche and Parker Queenan introduced fans to their characters — the new Midnight Society. Now that the new season’s premiere is almost here, it’s safe to say that these young stars definitely slay the screen.
Based on the iconic 1990s TV show of the same name, the new Are You Afraid of the Dark? is a reimagining of the cult classic. During the latest installment of six-episode miniseries — which airs its first episode on Friday, February 12 — viewers are immediately sucked into the legend of the Shadowman as they unknowingly find themselves in his clutches through the eyes of the Midnight Society’s leader, Connor (played by Parker).
When the teen doesn’t turn up to Shadow Bay High School and skips the Midnight Society meeting, Connor’s best friends Luke (played by Bryce), Hannah (played by Beatrice), Jai (played by Arjun) and Gabby (played by Malia), along with Hannah’s little brother Seth (played by Dominic), start to unravel a mystery they may never return from.
“You’ve got to break the rules to change the rules,” Hannah tells her fellow Midnight Society members in the debut episode, titled “The Tale of the Haunted Woods,” and that’s exactly what they do.
Full of perfectly timed jokes, strong female leads, tons of adventure and ongoing themes of friendship, the Are You Afraid of the Dark? premiere will have you on the edge of your seat for more. Viewers are sure to be rooting for the Midnight Society while the members work together to find their fearless leader and attempt to break the Shadowman’s curse.
So, gather your own group of friends and get ready to retell this spooky tale after watching it on TV. But first, remember, all stories must be “submitted for approval of the Midnight Society.”
Tune in to the Are You Afraid of the Dark? Curse of the Shadows season 2 premiere on Nickelodeon on Friday, February 12, at 8 p.m. ET.
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From Just Jared Jr.:
Get To Know Are You Afraid of the Dark's Dominic Mariche With 10 Fun Facts!
Dominic Mariche will soon grace our TVs when Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows premieres!
The young star is the youngest in the cast and stars as Seth, Hanna’s (Beatrice Kitsos) younger brother who’s the exact opposite of her dark disposition.
Hoping to find a group of best friends of his own, he’s determined to be a member of the Midnight Society and always tags along with them. He may be the littlest of the group, but he’s also the loudest and enjoys performing magic tricks for anyone willing to watch.
Here’s a synopsis: An all-new Midnight Society group of kids learn of the terrifying curse cast over their small seaside town, and are haunted by a mysterious creature known as the Shadowman.
Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows is a six part limited anthology series, and will premiere TOMORROW (February 12) on Nickelodeon!
JJJ got to know more about Dominic Mariche with an exclusive 10 Fun Facts. Check them out below:
1. My favorite food is cheese pizza.
2. My hidden talent is that I can play guitar and sing.
3. I have two pets – a cat and a dog!
4. We speak Spanish at home.
5. I love to play basketball and badminton.
6. My favorite musician is Healy.
7. I’m in grade 7 and excited to start high school in September!
8. Reading and video gaming are favorite pastimes.
9. I started acting in commercials three years ago.
10. I love living by the ocean.
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From Just Jared Jr.:
Meet 'Are You Afraid of the Dark?' Actress Beatrice Kitsos! (Exclusive)
Introducing – Beatrice Kitsos from the upcoming Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows!
The young actress will be starring as Hanna in the upcoming Nickelodeon limited series, premiering TOMORROW (February 12).
Hanna is a sharp, cynical and street-smart kid who’s passionate about telling horror stories and being a member of the Midnight Society. Despite her tough attitude and defense mechanisms, she’s loyal to the group and will end up going to incredible lengths to protect her friends.
Beatrice is no stranger to horror roles as she had a lead role in the 2019 feature film Child’s Play, as well as recurring roles in Fox’s The Exorcist and The CW’s iZombie.
She also guest starred on Netflix’s The Baby-Sitter’s Club with AYAOTD co-star Malia Baker!
If you’ve been following JJJ, you know we’ve been getting to know the cast of Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows with our 10 Fun Facts feature this week. Check out Beatrice‘s fun facts below!
1. I love to bake all sorts of yummy treats for my family.
2. My favorite food has always been sushi!
3. I enjoy watching movies with friends.
4. I have a dog named Henry; he is a golden doodle.
5. I love to create art, learn about French and bullet journal!
6. I own a ‘90s themed lava lamp in my room, just like the show!
7. I am obsessed with Snoopy from Charlie Brown.
8. I love fashion and putting together outfits.
9. I have a little cartilage piercing in my right ear.
10. When I am not wearing wardrobe, you will never see me without my iconic grandmother’s rings. I have had them on for longer than three years, except when I would film for a show.
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From Just Jared Jr.:
Find Out More About Are You Afraid of the Dark's Bryce Gheisar With 10 Fun Facts!
Get ready for even more of Bryce Gheisar on Nickelodeon!
The 16-year-old The Astronauts actor will soon also star in the second season of Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows as Luke.
Luke is a member of the Midnight Society and a spirited, imaginative and somewhat tentative teen. As a lifelong underdog, Luke escapes the world by retreating into his own imagination, writing stories about adventures and monsters, and spending time with his best friends and fellow Midnight Society members.
The upcoming six-part limited series follows an all-new Midnight Society group of kids who learn of the terrifying curse cast over their small seaside town, and are haunted by a mysterious creature known as the Shadowman.
If you really want a throwback, check out our interview with Bryce from 2017!
JJJ just got to know the current, teenaged Bryce Gheisar with 10 Fun Facts. Check them out now:
1. I can’t stand arachnids of any kind. Daddy long legs are one of my biggest fears. I can’t even think about it without being grossed out.
2. I used to be a gymnast from between the ages of 3-9.
3. I love most art forms including drawing. I usually draw with graphite pencils and either toned or regular paper.
4. My favorite food is pizza. I like to think that even bad pizza is good pizza.
5. I have 3 pets. Two dogs and one cat. Ginny, Nala, and Bailey. Bailey is named after the dog in A Dog’s Purpose. Ginny is from Harry Potter and Nala from The Lion King.
6. I used to do talent shows at my school every year, which got me in to performance arts.
7. I started acting when I was 8 years old. Before that, I didn’t even know it was a possibility.
8. My dream is to be an action hero. I’ve always wanted to be an actor who does his own stunts.
9. I want to be a director when I get older. Acting is kind of like my preparation for the future.
10. I am an ambassador for a charity in Texas called Dallas Pets Alive.
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Tune in to Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows THIS Friday (February 12) on Nickelodeon!
From Just Jared Jr.:
Are You Afraid of the Dark's Parker Queenan Shares 10 Fun Facts (Exclusive)
Parker Queenan is leading the pack in the upcoming Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows!
The teen actor will star as Connor in the Nickelodeon series, the dashing and daring leader of the Midnight Society with a love for being adventurous.
He’s the neighborhood bad boy and has always been a bit of a troublemaker, and although Connor can be intense and bullheaded, his clubmates always look up to him as the “alpha” of the group.
You may recognize Parker from guest appearances on Andi Mack or Party of Five. He’ll also be seen in the upcoming Punky Brewster reboot on Peacock!
If you missed them, check out the photos of Parker and his co-stars at the drive-in premiere of the limited series.
JJJ has been getting to know the cast of AYAOTD with 10 Fun Facts, and Parker is our final fun facts feature! Learn more about him below:
1. I love art, specifically pencil drawings.
2. I just watched over 300 movies in 2020!
3. I’ve been skydiving twice.
4. I’m a great driver, but nobody agrees.
5. I once flew a fighter jet and did sky acrobatics.
6. My favorite movie is 2001: A Space Odyssey.
7. I’m a vegetarian.
8. My favorite coffee’s a red eye.
9. I’m an Angeleno but my favorite place to visit is New York.
10. I can reference a SpongeBob episode for every situation I’m in.
Tune in to Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows TONIGHT (February 12) at 8pm ET/PT on Nickelodeon!
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From ET:
'Are You Afraid of the Dark?': First Look at the Terrifying New Mystery 'Curse of the Shadows' (Exclusive)
Are You Afraid of the Dark? is back for another round of scares.
A new season of Nickelodeon's reboot of the '90s cult classic kicks off Friday with six new episodes with a brand new mystery and cast of characters, and only ET has the exclusive first look at the premiere.
Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows follows a new group of Midnight Society kids who learn of the terrifying curse cast over their small seaside town and are haunted by a mysterious creature known as the Shadowman.
"We have to keep upping the scare factor every single episode! It was really important, especially coming off of the original show, where every episode had its own ghost tale or spooky story around the campfire, that we captured that essence and gave every episode its own little theme or distinction throughout the season’s storyline," executive producer and showrunner J.T. Billings exclusively tells ET. "The first one pulls you in right away with this great mystery, we’re going into the woods. Episode 2 is much more about pop culture horror and episode 3 we’re doing seances. We were really excited about the opportunity not only to have different horror elements across different episode, but to build on top of them until we get to our big finale, which is hopefully the scariest episode yet."
The new season features Luke (Bryce Gheisar), Jai (Arjun Athalye), Hanna (Beatrice Kitsos), Gabby (The Baby-Sitters Club's Malia Baker), Seth (Dominic Mariche) and Connor (Parker Queenan).
Are You Afraid of the Dark?: Curse of the Shadows premieres Friday, Feb. 12 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Nickelodeon.
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From CBR.com:
Are You Afraid of the Dark? Curse of the Shadows Balances Cozy Nostalgia & Jump Scares
The second season of Nickelodeon's Are You Afraid of the Dark? revival, Curse of the Shadows, introduces a new cast while embracing the past.
The new season of Are You Afraid of the Dark? doesn't pull any punches. Curse of the Shadows is immediately spooky, and the entirely new cast and setting mean audiences can dive right into the scary tale. Despite its limited relationship to the first season of the Nickelodeon revival, Are You Afraid of the Dark? Curse of the Shadows is aware of its roots, with plenty of references to appease longtime fans.
The season premiere, "The Tale of the Haunted Wood," introduces Luke and friends Jai, Gabby and Hanna as they try to discover what happened to their friend, and Midnight Society leader, Connor. Hanna's brother Seth also joins the team, and together they uncover a curse that haunts the local woods, with a tall, creepy monster called the Shadowman hunting anyone caught in the forest after sundown. It seems Connor might be caught up in the curse, and the Mystery Society is determined to find the truth in order to find their friend.
While the first season necessarily re-cast the Midnight Society, introducing a new actors and characters for the second season sets up the show to continuously update the lineup to tell one full story and then move on. It also suggests there could be versions of the Midnight Society across the country -- a potentially widespread club with many branches.
Viewers are also introduced to this Midnight Society differently from the first season. The arrival of a newcomer, and her induction into the club, served as a way of bringing the audience into the mystery in The Carnival of Doom. In Season 2, Are You Afraid of the Dark? expects viewers to know what they've gotten into, so there's no time wasted on an introduction. Instead, this season's mystery is dropped in the hands of an already-established group.
The members of the Midnight Society are also much closer than they were in Season 1. Not only did the previous season work to introduce a stranger to the group, but the premise of the club was that it allowed people from different social groups to bond over a shared love of horror. While the actual meetings of the Midnight Society seemed friendly, interactions during the light of day, and particularly at school, had to be conducted in secret. Part of that was to keep the club on the down-low, but it also served to keep disparate social groups apart. The popular cheerleader and the geeky horror buff could be friends, but only if they kept their interactions out of sight of the rest of the judgmental students.
Season 2 does away with that nonsense. The Midnight Society members are real and actual friends -- Connor apparently makes a habit of sneaking into Luke's room, while Luke and Gabby regularly meet at her food service job. It's a relief not to have to deal with navigating the social nightmares of grade school and instead focus on a scary story.
Curse of the Shadows also tells a different type of spooky story from the first season. While scary clowns and a Pete Wentz-looking carnival ringleader were compelling in Carnival of Doom, Season 2's Shadowman creates some satisfying jump-scare opportunities. When Luke becomes cursed at the end of the premiere, there's an extended scene of him unknowingly fighting against the Shadowman for control of the lights in his room that not only pulls in the show's opening for some nice circular narrative structure but also delivers a genuine sense of dread.
The Season 2 premiere also delivers on call-backs to the original series, the best and prominent of which is the return of Sardo (albeit with a different actor in the role), the owner of Magic Mansion, whose outrageously priced gags and tricks frequently turned out to be magical.
Sardo's role in the premiere is given a new, special prominence: It's he who utters the ritual words, "Submitted for the approval of the Midnight Society." His retelling of the curse underscores the revival's commitment to the history of Are You Afraid of the Dark? by incorporating favorite characters and recognizing the expectation and need for ritual words. But it also updates the format, setting the tale around a table with candles instead of around a fire in the woods.
Are You Afraid of the Dark? Curse of the Shadows feels more like a reinvention than a second season in all of the best ways. The new Midnight Society provides a compelling backdrop for a truly spooky story without the teenage social drama of the first season. With an increase in general creepiness and the number of episodes, the new season is a genuinely compelling watch for all ages -- if they think they can handle the Shadowman, that is.
Are You Afraid of the Dark? Curse of the Shadows stars Bryce Gheisar, Arjun Athalye, Beatrice Kitsos, Malia Baker, Dominic Mariche and Parker Queenan. The season premieres Friday, Feb. 12, at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Nickelodeon.
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Originally published: Friday, January 08, 2021 at 18:57 GMT.
H/T: Special thanks to @kpgamingz for the news; Press release via TheFutonCritic.com; Additional sources: Collider, Bloody Disgusting, CBR.com,
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