Quick Links
Few movie musicals can claim to have the popularity and dedicated following that 1978’sGreasehas. StarringJohn Travoltaand thelate greatOlivia Newton-John, the bombastic musical successfully launched audiences everywhere back in time to a 1950s high school, complete with catchy tunes, troublesome teens, and wacky hair. Though the film has struggled to kickstart a franchise, asGrease 2(1982) wasn’t nearly as well received as its predecessor. Still, Paramount is going to attempt to bring new life into the long-dormant series with a brand-new show dropping later this year.Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies(2023) takes place several years before the events of the originalGreasefilm, once again taking place at Rydell High but now following an entirely new cast of characters. The protagonists of this particular story, as the title implies, will be the group of teenagers who form the “Pink Ladies”, the exclusive club of rebellious young women who essentially rule the school. The new series is expected to explore the origins of the iconic group and explain how exactly the group came into being before Sandy, Rizzo, Frenchie, Jan, and Marty joined the beloved crew.
Those eager to see the new series luckily won’t have to wait for a “Summer Night”, as the anticipated prequel series will be hitting screens sooner than you think. To find out about the show’s release date, cast, trailer, and more, here is everything we know so far aboutGrease: Rise of the Pink Ladies.
Related:‘Grease 2’ Is Better Than ‘Grease’ and This Is the Hill I Will Die On
When and Where Is Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Releasing?
A new generation of teenagers will start racing their T-Birds around the campus of Rydell High starting Thursday, August 18, 2025. The show’s official release schedule hasn’t yet been released, but it’s likely that the series will take the same model of other Paramount+ shows and release a new episode every following Thursday.Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladiesis being developed as aParamount+ exclusive, meaning that will be the one and only place to stream theGreaseprequel when it arrives later this Spring. Paramount+ currently has two subscription plans available - Essential and Premium. Essential is priced at $4.99 USD per month or $49.99 USD per year, offering the entire catalog of Paramount+ with limited ads as well as select live programming from the NFL and UEFA. Premium is priced at $9.99 USD per month or $99.99 USD per year, removing most ads from the service and including access to the live CBS channel.
Watch the Trailer for Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies
The briefteaser trailer forGrease: Rise of the Pink Ladiesintroduces the four girls expected to be a part of the show’s Pink Ladies gang. We also get to see a somewhat familiar face and the only returning character we know of so far, a slightly younger Principal McGee (Jackie Hoffman), who at this point is only an Assistant Principal. The rest of the forty-five-second trailer packs in a lot of what you would expect from aGreaseshow, including vintage cars, rebellious teens, and even a few flashy musical numbers, one of which is playing the iconic opening song of the original film. Eagle-eyed fans may also notice a greaser with a leather jacket with the T-Bird logo etched into it, showing that the origins of the boys' group fromGreasemight also be explored.
What Is the Plot of Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies?
The official plot synopsis forGrease: Rise of the Pink Ladiesreads as follows:
In 1954, four years before the original Grease, before rock ‘n’ roll ruled and before the T-Birds were the coolest in the school. It follows four fed-up outcasts who dare to have fun on their own terms, sparking a moral panic that will change Rydell High forever.
Given that the series will only take place a few years before the events of the original film, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think that we might see some younger versions of classic characters like Danny, Rizzo, and more.
Related:John Travolta Pays Tribute to ‘Grease’ Co-Star Olivia Newton-John
Who’s In the Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Cast?
As mentioned earlier, Jackie Hoffman (Only Murders in the Building) will be playing the role of Assistant Principal McGee, filling the shoes ofEve Arden(Anatomy of a Murder), who played the character in bothGreaseandGrease 2. Portraying the rest ofthe main cast ofPink LadiesareMarisa Davilaas Jane,Cheyenne Isabel Wellsas Olivia,Ari Notartomasoas Cynthia,Tricia Fukuharaas Nancy, andShanel Baileyas Hazel. The ensemble also includesMadison Thompsonas Susan,Johnathan Nievesas Richie,Jason Schmidtas Buddy,Maxwell Whittington-Cooperas Wally, andChris McNallyas Mr. Daniels, withCharlotte Kavanagh,Josette Halpert,Nicholas McDonough,Maximo Weber Salas, andAlexis Sides, among others.
Who’s Making Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies?
Three directors are currently slated forGrease: Rise of the Pink Ladies. They includeAlethea Jones(Evil),Jamal Sims(When the Beat Drops), andDiego Velasco(Orange is the New Black). The series is also boasting a packed writers' room consisting ofAlison Levering(One Day at a Time),Annabel Oakes(Atypical),Laura Pollak(Fairfax),Kayla Richardson(The Beez & The Chickadeez),Raul Martin Romero(Colin in Black & White), andAuriel Rudnick(On My Block).
The show also includes music byZachary Dawes(The Peanut Butter Falcon),Nick Sena(Big Time Adolescence), andJustin Tranter(The Bravest Knight), cinematography byD.J. Stipsen(What We Do in the Shadows) andMark Chow(The Imperfects), editing byPeter CabadaHagan(A League of Their Own),Antonia de Barros(Mrs. Davis), andPhillip Fowler(Lock & Key), and production design byMark S. Freeborn(Breaking Bad).
Will Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies Get a Second Season?
That depends entirely on how many tune in to see theRise of the Pink Ladiesduring its first season. If enough audiences and critics agree that “Grease is the Word”, then the odds of the Pink Ladies returning for a sophomore season will be far more likely.
