Fate: The Winx Saga season 2: Release date, cast, trailer and synopsis

However, things soon took a dark turn as Bloom's mentor figure Headmistress Dowling (Eve Best) was murdered by longtime rival Rosalind, who proceeded to cover up her crimes and take Alfea College for herself.

Two-time Academy Award nominee Miranda Richardson stars as Rosalind in season 2, taking over from Before We Die's Lesley Sharp, who originated the character last year.

And that's not the only cast change. Flora finally makes her live-action debut in Fate: The Winx Saga season 2, portrayed by Paulina Chávez (The Expanding Universe of Ashley Garcia), with the character explained to be a beloved cousin of Terra's.

Fans of the show will remember it was met with criticism when it first launched in January 2021 as two characters were believed by fans to have been "whitewashed".

Musa (Elisha Applebaum), who is long thought to have been East Asian by fans, is played by a white actor on the show, while Latina fairy Flora was replaced by a white character named Terra (Eliot Salt) in season 1.

However, Salt recently promised RadioTimes.com that season 2 will atone for some of its sins in season 1.

"I think some of the mistakes that were made in season 1 have been rectified," Salt told RadioTimes.com and other press. "And really, I think everyone involved is grateful for the conversations that happened around it, and that have allowed that to happen."

Speaking of her new role, Chávez said: "As a Latina, it's very important to have representation on screen and it's good that it's happening, and that's what's important. We're doing the work and every step by step, we're going the long mile.

"Even looking back at the first season, I was on a different show. And so I wouldn't have been able to be on the first season if they did have her, so it's all a timing thing. And I think things really happen for a reason."

Here's everything we know so far about Fate: The Winx Saga season 2.

Fate: The Winx Saga season 2 release date

Fate: The Winx Saga season 2 landed on Netflix on Friday 16th September 2022.

The show was renewed for a second run back in February 2021 and filming got underway that summer, as confirmed in a behind-the-scenes featurette released to Netflix's YouTube channel (see below).

Once again, the fantasy series was filmed in County Wicklow, Ireland.

Who stars in Fate: The Winx Saga season 2?

The main cast of Fate: The Winx Saga return for season 2, including Abigail Cowen as Bloom, Hannah van der Westhuysen as Stella, Eliot Salt as Terra, Elisha Applebaum as Musa and Precious Mustapha as Aisha.

They'll welcome a new resident to the Winx Suite this year in the form of Flora, played by Paulina Chávez (The Expanding World of Ashley Garcia), who is a fan-favourite from the original cartoon series.

Expect more boy trouble in season 2 as Danny Griffin and Freddie Thorp return as specialists Sky and Riven, joined this time by a fresh face named Grey (played by screen newcomer Brandon Grace).

Fellow specialist Dane (Theo Graham) is also back to continue his romantic misadventures, having entered into a polyamorous relationship with troublemakers Riven and Beatrix (Sadie Soverall).

The faculty will look quite different this time around, however, with Headmistress Dowling (Eve Best) killed off and two major recasts: Miranda Richardson takes over for Lesley Sharp as Rosalind, and Daniel Betts replaces Alex Macqueen as Professor Harvey.

Robert James-Collier will return as former specialists leader Saul Silva, who will rely on help from an old ally named Sebastian (Normal People's Éanna Hardwicke), after being arrested at the end of last season.

Fate: The Winx Saga season 2 plot summary

Picking up after the events of last year's devastating finale, this season of Fate: The Winx Saga finds Alfea College under military occupation following a coup by sinister Rosalind and the cold Queen Luna (Kate Fleetwood).

The fairies of the Winx Suite will very much still be adapting to this new way of life, as well as attempting to find out what happened to their beloved former mentor Farah Dowling, who was secretly murdered by Rosalind in a shock twist moment.

Speaking to RadioTimes.com and other press, Hannah van der Westhuysen said she hopes to see Stella confront her mother about her cruel and unjust behaviour.

"I have been hoping that Stella is going to use these lovely friendships that she’s starting to create to empower her to stand up to her mum and stand up for what’s right," she said. "I like to think that there’s hope for them, but ultimately I really hope Stella does what’s right for the greater good."

The pupils of Alfea will also be going up against new threats including the Blood Witches, who are capable of possessing people from afar, and the face hugger-style monsters known as scrapers.

Amid all the epic magical battles, you can also expect more melodrama as the students of Alfea become entangled in each others' lives, forging strong friendships and, in some cases, even romance.

The Fate: The Winx Saga cast go into more detail on what fans can expect from season 2 in this behind-the-scenes video, which also includes some exclusive footage from the new episodes.

Something that has piqued the interest of fans in this new footage is scenes shared between Musa and specialist Riven, who have a storied romantic history in the cartoon series.

However, in the first season of Fate: The Winx Saga, Musa was instead seen in a relationship with Terra's brother Sam, while her interactions with Riven were few and far between (although fans never failed to notice them).

Speaking after the launch of season 1, Musa actor Elisha Applebaum said: "I hope that Musa is endgame with Sam because I feel like it would be really good for Musa and who needs another love triangle? The show is about female empowerment and friendships.

"But who knows? She’s a hazard to herself so I wouldn’t be surprised."

The Rivusa fandom is certainly one of the most vocal in this show's arsenal, so it's not surprising to see them paired up in promo clips – but we'll have to wait and see exactly what the future holds in store for them.

Is there a trailer for Fate: The Winx Saga season 2?

Yes! Netflix dropped a full trailer for Fate: The Winx Saga season 2 in August, less than a month prior to the show's release. You can check it out below:

Fate: The Winx Saga is available to stream on Netflix. Looking for something else to watch? Check out our guide to the best series on Netflix and best movies on Netflix, or visit our TV Guide.

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