Stoff agrees: “Julia Child never gave up and she never let success change her,” he says. “She never lost her authenticity. And everyone that I’ve ever worked with that is successful has been smart enough to know their authenticity is what got them there.”
So what else do we know about the show’s sophomore season? From the premiere date to the episode titles, here’s your go-to guide for the new season.
Where did we leave off in season one?
Julia tells Hunter (her boss at WGBH) that she’s game to do a second season of The French Chef, but first she needs some time to decompress and do some research—in France, of course. Meanwhile, with the show back on, Julia’s producer, Alice, tells new love interest Isaac that she’ll need to prioritize work, thereby throwing a wrench in their newfound romance. As the season comes to a close, Avis decides she’s ready to get back out there and really live life, while Julia and Paul toast their success and more adventures to come. It’s off to France we go!
What’s the official synopsis for season two?
Here's the official logline, released to the press in October 2023:
“With her trailblazing cooking show up and running on the air, Julia grapples with her rising celebrity and what that means for her, her colleagues and her show. In season two, Julia and her devoted husband Paul return from Simca’s home in France to find that her success has changed everything. Through her singular joie de vivre, she and her team must navigate WGBH, the White House, and a threat from their past, while continuing to spearhead female-driven public television and confront social issues still prevalent today.”
Carver told Glamour in August that Julia and Paul will come to terms with what happens as the show gets even more popular, and how they deal with the stress and pressure of maintaining its success while keeping it feeling fresh and new. The same goes for the team at WGBH, which comes under pressure to replicate Julia’s success with other shows. “They were just a very small local public broadcasting station [until Julia came along], so you’re going to see the craziness that happens [with success],” she said.
Meanwhile, Stoff says everybody's life gets more complicated as a result of Julia’s sudden fame. But it’s not all stressful. “[Those around Julia will] experience new worlds and challenges because of the success she has,” she says.
Is Russ destined to only make documentaries for WGBH? And will Alice sacrifice her personal life in order to ensure the success of The French Chef?
Seacia Pavao/MAXWhen will season two premiere?
The new season debuts Thursday, November 16, with three episodes, followed by one a week until the finale on Thursday, December 21. “Season two involves food and family and gathering, [so the team at Max thought it] would make more sense to actually premiere the show closer to the Thanksgiving, when families are together,” Carver says. “It’s a brilliant strategy.”
Who’s coming back this season?
Series regulars include Sarah Lancashire (Julia Child), David Hyde Pierce (Paul Child), Bebe Neuwirth (Avis DeVoto), Brittany Bradford (Alice Naman), Fran Kranz (Russ Morash), Fiona Glascott (Judith Jones), and Robert Joy (Hunter Fox). Returning guest stars include Judith Light (Blanche Knopf), Isabella Rossellini (Simone “Simca” Beck), Tosin Morohunfola (Isaac), Christian Clemenson (James Beard), and more.
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