'High School Musical: The Musical: The Series' cast, creator talk show's final season

"I have not began to process that this is ending," Joshua Bassett said.

August 3, 2023, 12:28 PM

Step into the future, but hold on to "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series."

The Disney+ series comes to an end with its fourth season, which drops Aug. 9 on Disney+. Prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike, the show's cast and creator chatted with ABC Audio to commemorate the series' run.

"I have not began to process that this is ending," said Joshua Bassett, who plays Ricky. "It's so rare that a show gets a pilot, let alone gets picked up, let alone gets put out, let alone gets loved by people. And then gets multiple seasons. We're just so fortunate."

Sofia Wylie, who plays fan-favorite Gina, agreed.

PHOTO: High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
High School Musical: The Musical: The Series
Disney

"We've finished this off in such a wonderful way," Wylie said. "Anything good ending never feels good in the moment. So, of course there's an element of me that wants to cry and scream and kick until we get a fifth season. But also, an element of me that's just so, so grateful."

Showrunner Tim Federle recalled the incredible talent his show produced. "I always thought they would explode in a big way," he said. "I don't know if I expected it to happen so fast, and I'm just so proud of them."

One of those talents is Olivia Rodrigo. Her character, Nini, was written out of the series as Rodrigo's real-life music career soared. "She's left such a legacy on all of us, and such a thumbprint, handprint on our heart for the series, that she of course stays with us in a lot of meaningful ways emotionally," Federle said.

Federle also opened up about what he hopes his show's legacy will be: "That we were inclusive and safe for people, our audience, and then for future theater kids who are looking for their own club," he said.

The fourth and final season of "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series" premieres Aug. 9 on Disney+.

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