Yates University is getting a sophomore year.
Amazon Prime Video has greenlit Overcompensating, Benito Skinner's show centered on a closeted college student, for a second season.
“I have been so overwhelmed by the insane response to the show, and feel so damn lucky to go back to Yates University with Amazon MGM Studios, A24, Strong Baby, and this legendary cast for Season 2!! PLAY SUPER BASS :),” Skinner told Variety.
“We look forward to our global Prime Video customers enjoying more of Benito’s captivating and bold storytelling in the second season of Overcompensating,” added Vernon Sanders, cohead of television at Amazon MGM Studios. “Working alongside the talented teams from A24 and Strong Baby has been a joy for everyone involved, and we are excited to see what hilarious moments Benito has planned for season 2.”
Created, written by, and starring Skinner, Overcompensating also features Wally Baram, Mary Beth Barone, Rish Shah, Adam DiMarco, Holmes, Corteon Moore, Owen Thiele, and Nell Verlaque as college students navigating life, love, and fake IDs at the fictional Yates University. Skinner plays Benny, a former jock who is simultaneously trying to fit in at college while coming to terms with his gay identity — with the help of his friend Carmen (Baram).
"WE’RE OFFICIALLY GOING BACK 2 SCHOOL," Skinner wrote in a celebratory post on Instagram. "Thank you so much for all your insane love for this show...And thank you for being so patient while Daddy’s been cooking season 2. One guy at Hudson News told me he’s watched it 7 times… that’s mental illness my love <3."
Previously, Skinner spoke at an FYC event in Hollywood where he talked about potential season two plotlines.
"We have so many stories that we are not done telling," said Skinner. "We're so inspired by this cast and some of the people who came in for one day. We got Connie [Britton] and Kyle [MacLachlan] for like four days total, and what they've done in this show is remarkable. Caleb Heron was there for one day. Owen Thiele was there for like three. There's so much more to say in that experience of someone who's in the closet versus out, and the friction and finding friendship and that. Also, the siblings! There's so much to say here, and if you've seen the finale, you know that they might have to talk. I think we're ready to go. I mean, we've pitched it. We're ready."
Skinner also told Deadline that he's excited to keep digging into the meaning of the series' name in a second season.
"What's interesting to me about this idea of 'overcompensation' with these characters is that at no point do you stop doing that completely. I'm really inspired by the thought that if anyone has a comfort in it, or a comfort blanket, we take it away," Skinner said. "I want to see them start over in a lot of ways, and I think that's what that ending tells you might happen."
Season 1 also featured a star-studded list of guest stars, including Charli XCX, Lukas Gage, Megan Fox, Bowen Yang, and Matt Rogers. Connie Britton and Kyle MacLachlan also appeared as Benny's parents.
