From the moment School Spirits actress Kiara Pichardo read the audition material for the part of her character, Nicole, she instantly felt a deep connection to the words on the page. In fact, it was almost like looking at a mirror image of her younger self.

“When I first got the audition, I was like, ‘Oh my God. This was literally me in high school,’” she tells The Nerds of Color over Zoom.

Pichardo portrays Nicole Herrera in Paramount+’s hit supernatural YA show, School Spirits, which kicked off its sophomore season on Jan. 30. Created by Megan and Nate Trinrud, the series stars Peyton List as teenage Maddie Nears, who suddenly finds herself trapped in “high school purgatory” and left to investigate her own disappearance. With the help of some friends (both living and not living), she slowly starts to put the pieces together… but things are always more complicated than they seem.

Among Maddie’s circle of close friends in the living world is Nicole, an artsy teen who often secretly feels like an outsider. Picking up after the explosive events of “Madison’s Body,” Season 2 sees her character continue to search for answers regarding Maddie’s disappearance, teaming up with their friend Simon (Kristian Ventura) — plus, a couple of unlikely allies.

To celebrate the return of School Spirits, the NOC chatted with Pichardo about the “many twists and turns” fans can look forward to in Season 2, Nicole’s unexpected new connections, her favorite on-set memories with the cast, and much more. Here’s what she had to say.

THE NERDS OF COLOR: What are you most excited for fans to see in Season 2 of School Spirits?

PICHARDO: The new characters. There’s a bunch of new ghosts that are phenomenal actors, and their storylines are really cool. Also, the different dynamics we didn’t really get to see in Season 1: Claire and Nicole [Rainbow Wedell], Xavier [Spencer MacPherson] and Nicole.

What can you tease about Nicole and Claire’s closer dynamic this season?

It’s definitely different than Season 1. We don’t completely hate each other. We’re roped into this circumstance where we have to work together for the sake of Maddie’s well-being, but little by little, we see parts of each other that we didn’t really get to see in the first season. And their characters grow to kind of be fond of each other. Like, ‘Wow, okay, actually, maybe I can be friends with this girl. She’s not that bad.’ 

What’s your favorite thing about filming with Rainbow?

She’s so lovely. We have so much fun on set. She’s so professional and she always has her lines down pat. I love her energy, and she’s very positive. She’s just a great person.

You and Xavier also have an interesting dynamic going on. What can you tell me about that?

We grow a little closer. Whether that’s platonic or not … Our characters end up seeing each other on a more personal level because of things that are shared. But I don’t want to give away too much.

How do you think Nicole grows as a character this season?

I think Nicole becomes a lot more confident. I feel like in Season 1, she seemed more … I don’t want to say self-conscious, but maybe a little insecure, still trying to figure [things] out. I feel like she’s grown a lot. 

If you could give Nicole one piece of advice, what would it be?

Girl, relax [laughs]. Just relax!

What was the most challenging aspect of filming this season? 

We had a lot of night shoots, and they’re a world of their own. You’re deliriously laughing at things that aren’t funny, you’re eating dinner at 4:00 a.m. That was a small challenge that we had, but we [the cast] overcame it together.

What’s your favorite memory with the School Spirits cast?

There’s so many to choose from. We have a really good dynamic on and off-screen, which is a blessing, because you don’t always get that on every set. I would just say the fun that we have in between takes, making videos and funny photos, and hanging out.

Who are your biggest acting inspirations?

Melissa McCarthy, Robin Williams, Adam Sandler, Jim Carrey. I’m very into comedy. 

Are there any current shows that you would love to guest star on?

Well, I should probably watch more stuff [laughs]. But I’m currently watching The Chosen, and I would love to be on that. That would be really cool.

You were also in another popular YA show, The Society, which was sadly cancelled after one season due to the pandemic. If it somehow came back, would you be down to return for another season?

Absolutely. We had really good fans on that show. The role I had was a little smaller, but we were all really excited [for Season 2]. I had my schedule and everything. We were ready to go, but then Covid hit. But yeah, I definitely would.

If you could pitch any storyline for Nicole in a potential Season 3, what would it be?

I think it would be really cool if we graduated. So for Nicole, seeing her graduate and going off to an art school that maybe she can’t afford, but they give her a scholarship and then she’s able to [pursue] her dreams.

Season 1 ended on a major cliffhanger with a bombshell twist. Without spoiling it, obviously, can fans expect another big twist from the Season 2 finale?

It’s a cliffhanger. Expect many twists and turns. You think you know, but then you don’t. It’s a lot more elevated than Season 1 was. We shot a lot more outside, versus Season 1, which was a lot of school scenes. It’s more adventurous, [with the characters] going on field trips to try and figure out where Maddie is. It’s almost like a scavenger hunt. There’s a lot more surprises.

Finally, what was your favorite filming location this season?

I don’t know if this is a spoiler, but… Episode 8. It’s made out of wood.

New episodes of School Spirits stream Thursdays on Paramount+.