THE dramatic adventures of five spunky girl skaters continue in Season 2 of HBO's teen comedy Betty.
Based on creator Crystal Moselle's 2018 Sundance hit Skate Kitchen, the six-episode sophomore run sees the five young protagonists further navigate the predominantly male-oriented world of skateboarding in New York City.
This time, Kirt, Janay, Honeybear, Camille and Indigo are stepping firmly into womanhood and tackling all the inherent challenges that come with it.
As they negotiate and experience the pressures of adulthood, their male counterparts also start to step up, step in and become true allies to form a united front for the greater good.
Set at the end of 2020, the new season captures the pandemic in the Big Apple, where wearing masks is one of several other changes during the new normal.
Below, Nina Moran, who plays Kirt, Dede Lovelace (Janay) and Moonbear Adams (Honeybear) talk about the next chapter currently streaming on HBO GO.
How did you all feel when you got the script for the first time?
Nina: I was excited because my character is going on a really big adventure this season and that never happened before. So there's lots of travelling, stuff like that.
Moonbear: When I saw the script I was quite nervous, I thought some scenes would be hard to film but when I actually filmed them, it wasn't too hard to do. It became more natural. We also had help from a coordinator to make things go more smoothly.
How was it filming during the lockdown?
M: I didn't realise what the scope would be like because we had never filmed in a pandemic before. But I'd say we were very challenged on that because you have to make sure everyone is safe. So that was pretty crazy. Sometimes I felt like, "Okay, so when should we wear the mask?" or "When shouldn't we wear the mask?" So that was pretty confusing but it was interesting to film in a pandemic.
Dede: Yeah, it was definitely super interesting shooting during Covid-19 and like Moonbear said not knowing when to take off your mask. Also with our expressions, you want to be able to fully give your all but with this mask situation, you do have to be conscious of it in real life.
What I appreciate about season two is that it really captures a moment in this pandemic. It's realistic to what was going on so it's not like we just forgot about it or just didn't acknowledge it. Everybody was really safe, and we took a lot of precautions.
We went from getting Covid-19 tested three times a week to almost every day because we wanted to be extra careful. But I'm glad that we all got to finish it and we're here.
The topics explored in this show felt so current, like sexism, Black Lives Matter, being a "Karen". Why were these kinds of topics important for you?
N: For me, it was important for my character to really call out misogyny. Not only do we experience that in the skate world but it actually exists everywhere. So it was important for my character to check these young men because you don't want them to get older and be like that.
It was great that Kirt could help them understand why things are messed up and why acting in different ways is much better.
D: A topic that I really appreciated that we explored happened in one particular scene, where I am talking to my cousin in the show. He's just talking about how Covid-19 has affected small businesses and, on top of that, how gentrification is a thing. That was a real moment that he and I were sharing because we both are from Brooklyn, and he has a business here, and I have family members who have businesses here.
It's something that was so real. So I really appreciated that we touched on that during this new season.
There was so much love from young women online regarding Season 1. Did you receive any heart-warming messages from fans?
N: Yes, a lot of messages from girl skaters. Most of them started skating because of the show. That would be the same for me, if I saw a show where girls were skating on TV. That would be so sick. So it's cool there's a show like ours that can do that and allow girls to know that they can do it too.
D: Yeah. I definitely have messages and comments from parents who are really excited about the show. They'll be like, "I watched it with my kid," or, "I'm trying to get my kids to watch it," or, "We both love the show so much". We get a lot of praise from young women, and parents happen to be fans too.
M: Yeah, I get a few messages. People will message saying they can relate to my character because Honeybear is a filmmaker, I'll get comments like, "I've started filming too." Of course, people will say lovely things like, "I've just started skating because of the show."
For those who haven't watched it yet, what can people expect with Season2?
N: Excitement. Drama. Really cool friendship moments. Coming of age. Growth.
D: And it's funny. It's really funny. Kirt's whole storyline had me cracking up.
What is next for Betty?
D: I hope we continue on and get a season three. I am looking for more character development because there's never enough of that. I feel like the more you understand a character, the more you grow with them, the deeper the bond and the connection. Then people will be like, "Oh, I can still relate to this."
Also just being able to see more skating on TV and sharing our experiences because we have so many.
Courtesy of HBO
Catch Season 2 of Betty on HBO GO