The Five Star Weekend Season 2 will not be another weekend on Nantucket. Author and executive producer Elin Hilderbrand has revealed that the newly renewed Peacock series plans to take its characters somewhere else, with Greece and France among the locations discussed and at least part of the season potentially taking place on a cruise ship.
Hilderbrand shared the first details about the direction of Season 2 during an appearance on House Guest with Kenzie Elizabeth. She described the idea as taking the series “a la White Lotus somewhere else,” turning the next Five Star Weekend into a trip.
Peacock officially renewed the Jennifer Garner-led drama for a second season following its July 9 premiere. The streamer has not announced the Season 2 setting or story details itself, so Hilderbrand’s comments offer an early look at what is currently being discussed rather than a final production plan.
The Five Star Weekend Season 2 Will Not Be Filmed on Nantucket
One part of the plan does sound settled from Hilderbrand’s perspective: Season 2 is moving away from Nantucket.
“I can tell you this: it will not be filmed on Nantucket,” Hilderbrand said during the podcast interview. “They are not coming to Nantucket. They are going a la White Lotus somewhere else.”
Filming the first season on Nantucket was not a simple undertaking. The production was bringing roughly 275 people to the island between cast, crew, and other personnel, and needed approval from Nantucket’s Select Board, the five-member governing body. Two members recused themselves from the decision, leaving three to vote, and the production received approval by a 2-1 vote.
Hilderbrand did not say that those difficulties are the reason Season 2 is leaving Nantucket, but they do add some context to the decision to take the series elsewhere. Exactly where they are going has yet to be decided publicly.
“There has been discussion about Greece. There’s been discussion about France,” Hilderbrand said. She then added another piece of the plan: “It will be on a cruise ship, part of it, most of it, I think.”
The cruise idea has apparently already led to some joking behind the scenes. Hilderbrand said she told the screenwriter that they would need to make Love Boat jokes, only to discover the younger writer had Titanic in mind instead.
Hilderbrand quickly got on board with that version too, joking about putting Brooke on the front of the yacht with her arms out and licensing “My Heart Will Go On” for the moment.
Season 2 Will Bring the Women Back Together for Another Trip
Wherever the next season ultimately lands, Hilderbrand confirmed the basic idea behind it: “They’re going to take a trip together.”
That gives the series a way to continue beyond the original story without simply recreating another gathering at Hollis’ Nantucket home.
The first season adapted Hilderbrand’s novel and centered on Hollis Shaw, played by Jennifer Garner, bringing together friends from different periods of her life for a weekend on Nantucket. Season 2 now appears set to keep the group at the center while changing where their next gathering happens.
Creator Bekah Brunstetter also pointed toward another trip when the renewal was announced, saying she was looking forward to seeing where the characters go next.
“Knowing how deeply committed they are to this trip, I can’t wait to take them on their next adventure,” Brunstetter said in Peacock’s renewal announcement.
Garner was less specific about what comes next, saying that the cast is just as curious as viewers about the story but calling Season 2 “the ultimate girls’ weekend.”
Another Actress Will Join as the Fifth Star
The location isn’t the only thing changing.
Hilderbrand also said that The Five Star Weekend Season 2 will introduce another actress as the fifth star, although she did not reveal who has been cast or whether that decision has been made yet.
What happens with Gigi is less certain.
“I think Gigi may or may not appear,” Hilderbrand said. “They will bring in a fifth, another fifth star who will be another actress,” she said.
No casting announcement for that new fifth star has been made by Peacock.
Peacock Renewed The Five Star Weekend After a Strong First Season
The new details come shortly after Peacock officially ordered Season 2.
According to the streamer, The Five Star Weekend has become its most-watched scripted series to date in overall reach, with 1.8 billion minutes watched. Preliminary Nielsen data also placed it among the five most-watched streaming original series during the first two weeks following its July 9 premiere.
Jennifer Garner stars alongside D’Arcy Carden, Gemma Chan, Regina Hall, Chloë Sevigny, Harlow Jane, and Timothy Olyphant. Garner and Hilderbrand are also executive producers, with Bekah Brunstetter serving as creator and executive producer.
