Rian Johnson's comedy crime series, Poker Face season 2 stars Natasha Lyonne in the role of Charlie Cale, a casino waitress turned informal detective. Throughout Poker Face season 1, Charlie traveled across the US while running from her boss, meeting new people and solving crimes along the way. Eventually, the series led Charlie back into the hands of Frost Sr., but Charlie's ending escape left her open for new mysteries in the new season.

Now, two years after the release of the first season, the Columbo style of murder-of-the-week stories that use the "howcatchem" method of solving the crimes. Also like season 1, Poker Face benefits from Natasha Lyonne's great performance and the performances of its various well-known guest stars, as well as its fun mysteries. In short, Poker Face is the ideal show for fans of funny murder mysteries that utilizes the best parts of the genre while still feeling unique.

Poker Face Season 2 Is Now Streaming On Peacock - What To Expect

Poker Face Season 2 Will Feature New Crimes For Charlie To Solve

The first three episodes of Poker Face season 2 are now streaming on Peacock, and a new episode will be released each subsequent week until July 10, 2025. The season will have a total of 12 episodes. Throughout those 12 episodes, viewers can expect Charlie to get up to some of the same activities that she did throughout the first season. Season 1's ending saw Charlie flee from Beatrix Hasp's offer to work for her, so it makes sense that season 2 opens with Charlie still on the run and solving new crimes in the towns that she stops in.

Though the series does follow a very tried and true formula, it never feels boring or repetitive, giving audiences something new to look forward to with each new location and crime.

The episodes that have currently been released see Charlie interacting with a variety of great guest stars in shocking roles as she attempts to determine who committed a crime and why using her lie-detecting skills. At the same time that Poker Face continues to follow its case-of-the-week model, Charlie is also dealing with the fallout from her interactions with Hasp. Though the series does follow a very tried and true formula, it never feels boring or repetitive, giving audiences something new to look forward to with each new location and crime.

Why Poker Face Season 2's Rotten Tomatoes Score Is So Good

Season 2 Holds A Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score

Season 1 of Poker Face was incredibly well-received upon its release in 2023, earning a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but season 2 has actually been able to top that. Poker Face season 2 debuted with a 100% approval rating, proving that critics love Natasha Lyonne and Rian Johnson's series just as much, or even slightly more, now as they did in 2023. Even for season 1, there were very few complaints about the series, but season 2's positive reviews show that Johnson's formula still works.

Most of the reviews note that the series is very reminiscent of Columbo and other similar detective shows, but there is nothing wrong with that, since Poker Face can pull it off so well. RogerEbert.com's reviewer, Clint Worthington, noted that "Each episode of Rian Johnson's reverse-detective show follows (more or less) a distinct and delicious formula." Other reviewers shared similar sentiments about Poker Face's ability to beautifully pull off a model that many other shows have attempted before.

Beyond the praise that Poker Face season 2 has received for its original take on the murder mystery TV genre, Poker Face has also received praise for its humorous tone and approach to presenting different lifestyles. Critic Craig Mathieson from Australia's The Age stated that "As goofy as Poker Face can be, it has a sharp existential undertone and an understanding of working-class realities." Similarly, critics noted how human each of the characters, even its bad guys and murderers, seems, and how far those compelling characters take the series.

Poker Face Still Has One Of The Best Cast Lists On TV

Poker Face Season 2 Has More Great Guest Stars

Natasha Lyonne has delivered consistently great performances throughout her career, and Poker Face is no exception. Lyonne is certainly the highlight of the show, but she is by no means the only great actor in the series. Like season 1, Poker Face season 2 boasts a ton of great guest stars in each episode that audiences will love. Season one saw well-known performers like Adrien Brody, Chloe Sevigny, Tim Blake Nelson, Nick Nolte, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Clea DuVall, and many more stars make appearances.

In the first three episodes, actors such as Cynthia Erivo, Giancarlo Esposito, and Katie Holmes have already made appearances. Poker Face will have even more guest appearances in the coming weeks, including Alia Shawkat, David Krumholtz, Melanie Lynskey, Carol Kane, and more. Though many of Poker Face's cast change each week, it is very impressive that so many talented performers are willing to lend their skills to the series and make each episode something truly special.

Source: RogerEbert.com, The Age