High School Musical Showrunner Tim Federle Reveals Why Olivia Rodrigo Didn’t Return in Season 4

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High School Musical Showrunner Tim Federle Reveals Why Olivia Rodrigo Didn’t Return in Season 4

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series showrunner Tim Federle explains why Olivia Rodrigo doesn’t appear in the final season of the Disney+ comedy. Federle cited the singer’s busy schedule — and the fact that High School Musical Season 4 already features a large cast.

Speaking to Variety, Federle said: “I felt really confident about that ending and Olivia is so busy with her songwriting career. At this point, we are introducing so many new people, the OG characters and we wanted to bring back other really important characters.”

The showrunner continued: “I kind of felt like, with only eight episodes, it just becomes cameos as opposed to real stories. The offer was extended to her insomuch as Olivia knowing from me that she can always come back. But it was never really seriously discussed because there were new relationships we had to write for.”

Rodrigo’s character, Nini Salazar-Roberts, makes her last appearance in the season 3 finale. Mirroring the real-life success of Rodrigo, Nini decides to stay in California to focus on her music career.

Who’s in the High School Musical Season 4 Cast?

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series Season 4 Season 4 features a large ensemble cast that includes Joshua Bassett, Sofia Wylie, Dara Reneé, Julia Lester, Frankie Rodriguez, Kate Reinders, and Liamani Segura.

Recurring guests include Mark St. Cyr, Matt Cornett, Larry Saperstein, Joe Serafini, Adrian Lyles, and Saylor Bell Curda.

“Season 4 will see the Wildcats returning to East High, where they prepare a stage production of 2008’s High School Musical 3: Senior Year,” according to the logline. “But, in a meta twist signature to the series, plans are disrupted when Disney announces the long-awaited High School Musical 4: The Reunion movie will shoot on location at their beloved high school.”

High School Musical: The Musical: The Series is executive produced by Federle and Oliver Goldstick, along with the original film’s executive producers Bill Borden and Barry Rosenbush.