We've only just finished watching the second season of Loki, but we now know when Marvel Studios next returning series will be back on our screens.

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What If?, the multiverse-jumping animated series which first debuted in 2021, is returning for a second season this Christmas, full of brand-new timelines for The Watcher to explore.

The new season will once again be made up of nine episodes, and is expected to feature an A-list voice cast filled with MCU stars reprising their roles.

But when can fans expect to see the new episodes, who will be in the cast, and which stories will be explored? Here's everything we know so far about What If? season 2.

What If? season 2 release date

It has now been announced that What If? season 2 will air its episodes in a brand-new schedule format for Disney Plus, with the first episode airing from 22nd December 2023 and episodes then starting to air daily.

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This means that all nine episodes will be available to stream by 30th December 2023.

What If? season 2 episodes

What If? season 2
What If? season 2 Marvel Studios/Disney Plus/YouTube

We don't yet know full episode details for What If season 2, but from the trailer it seems we will get a Christmas-themed outing with Tony Stark and Happy Hogan, and a team of Avengers in the 1990s. We will also see the return of some season 1 characters, such as Strange Supreme.

The official synopsis for the season, which will be made up of nine episodes, says: "Season two of What If…? continues the journey as The Watcher guides viewers through the vast multiverse, introducing brand new and familiar faces throughout the MCU.

"The series questions, revisits and twists classic Marvel Cinematic moments with an incredible voice cast that includes a host of stars who reprise their iconic roles. Featuring fan-favourite characters this season like Nebula, Hela and Happy Hogan, episodes are directed by executive producer Bryan Andrews with executive producer AC Bradley as head writer."

Executive producer Brad Winderbaum previously revealed that the panemic had led to an episode from season 1 being pushed back to season 2, so we are likely to see that outing this Winter.

He told Collider in 2021: "We had to push an episode into season 2. It was just, honestly, like everything else, that was a COVID impact. There was an episode that just wouldn't hit the completion date, but luckily we do get to see it in the second season of the show."

What If? season 2 cast

What If? season 2
What If? season 2 Marvel Studios/Disney Plus/YouTube

Other than Jeffrey Wright who is confirmed to be returning as The Watcher, we don't yet know exactly which MCU stars will be reprising their roles, and who will be recast, as some characters such as Tony Stark and Steve Rogers were in season 1.

The What If? cast from season 1 included the likes of Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel McAdams, Benedict Wong, Chris Hemsworth, Josh Brolin, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Taika Waititi, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeremy Renner and many, many more.

Characters that we know will appear in season 2 include:

  • The Watcher
  • Nebula
  • Hela
  • Happy Hogan
  • Hank Pym/Ant-Man
  • Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier
  • Dr Wendy Lawson/Captain Marvel
  • King T-Chaka/Black Panther
  • Howard Stark
  • Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch
  • Gamora
  • Tony Stark/Iron Man
  • Valkyrie
  • Korg
  • Grandmaster
  • Ego
  • Thor Odinson
  • Ying Li
  • Xu Wenwu
  • Yondu Udonta
  • Odin
  • Thanos
  • Steve Rogers/Captain America
  • Bruce Banner/Hulk
  • Rocket Raccoon
  • Dr Stephen Strange/Strange Supreme
  • N'Jadaka/Erik Killmonger
  • Peggy Carter/Captain Carter
  • Happy Hogan
  • Darcy Lewis
  • Clint Barton/Hawkeye
  • Natasha Romaoff/Black Widow

Is there a trailer for What If? season 2?

There is! You can watch the full trailer for What If? season 2, featuring plenty of hints as to the scenarios to come, right here.

What If? season 2 will premiere on Disney Plus on 22nd December 2023. You can sign up to Disney Plus for £7.99 a month or £79.90 a year now.

Check out our Sci-fi hub for more news, interviews and features or find something to watch with our TV guide.

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