Today, Disney released the final season of the hit show, “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” on Disney+, the show is a set at East High School, which is where the original films “were” filmed, and it introduces members of the drama club and their faculty advisers as they work their way toward the opening night of the musicals that they produce. New romances blossom, old friendships are tested to their limits while new ones are formed, rivalries flare, and lives are changed forever as these students discover the transformative power that only high school theater can provide.

The series stars Olivia Rodrigo and Joshua Bassett, along with Sofia Wylie, Matt Cornett, Larry Saperstein, Julia Lester, Dara Reneé, Frankie Rodriguez, Joe Serafini, Mark St. Cyr and Kate Reinders.

In the fourth season, after an epic summer at Camp Shallow Lake, the Wildcats return to East High, where they prepare a stage production of “High School Musical 3: Senior Year.” But plans are disrupted when Principal Gutierrez announces that Disney has decided to make the long-awaited “High School Musical 4: The Reunion” movie on location at their beloved high school.

Following the show’s huge success, Olivia Rodrigo exploded into a huge pop star with her smash hit, “Driving License”, which led her onto selling out tours, playing at Glastonbury Festival, and even having her own Disney+ Original musical special. Which resulted in her only making a small appearance in the third season, and she wasn’t able to return for the fourth season.

In a recent interview with the show’s creator, Tim Federle spoke to Vanity Fair and was asked about if they tried to get Olivia to return for the final season.

Yeah, we went out to Olivia. It was really hard. Her schedule is extremely packed now, as it should be as the poet laureate of angsty ballads. So it didn’t work out. But I was also at peace with how we said goodbye in season three. One of the testaments to the luck of the casting of the show was Sofia Wylie, who began the show as the villain and really took the final bow as our leading lady. That was a seamless transition.

Liamani Segura, who’s a star to be, has a big song this season called “Dreams Don’t Die,” and I really wanted to put that song in the show. Because presumably her character Emmy will keep going to East High, will keep doing musicals, and for as once-in-a-generation gifted as Olivia, Sophia, Josh, and Dara [are], there’s always a new group of theater kids. There’s always a next generation that’s going to claim the mantle and be even more diverse and inclusive and excited to sing their own songs. It’s always about what’s next, even as you look to the past with gratitude.

All four seasons of “High School Musical: The Musical: The Series” are out now on Disney+.

Would you have liked to have seen Olivia Rodrigo return for the finale? Let us know on social media!

Roger Palmer

Roger has been a Disney fan since he was a kid and this interest has grown over the years. He has visited Disney Parks around the globe and has a vast collection of Disney movies and collectibles. He is the owner of What's On Disney Plus & DisKingdom. Email: Roger@WhatsOnDisneyPlus.com Twitter: Twitter.com/RogPalmerUK Facebook: Facebook.com/rogpalmeruk

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