Smash Season 2 Extended Preview Shows Music, Tension And Jennifer Hudson

The return of Smash happens in a matter of months and in anticipation of the second season premiere of NBC's musical drama, the network has released pretty sizable glimpse of Season 2, which offers a look at some of the new characters and the return of some familiar faces. Check it out ahead to see what's coming up for the Broadway drama.

Tension! That seems to be the keyword for this extended preview, which comes courtesy of Yahoo and clocks in at a whopping four minutes. Those who want an idea of what's to come for the series, can watch the video below. We've also posted NBC's official description for Season 2, which lists the guest stars and offers some plot information for each of the characters.

Jennifer Hudson's singing alone would've been enough to properly tease the series, but we got so much more. In addition to Hudson's fantastic vocals, the video gives us a look at more tension between Karen and Ivy. Seems like the tables have turned for these two. Remember when it was Ivy calling the shots? These two aren't the only ones having problems. Things don't appear to be in the best place for Julia and Tom. Meanwhile, Eileen's having money issues (to say the least). There's cause to celebrate though. It looks like Karen has a new love interest on the way and we'll see an appearance by Sean Hayes and the return of Bernadette Peters!

Music and drama await! We have until February 5 to wait for Smash Season 2 to premiere. In the meantime, here's NBC's full description for Season 2, which fills in some of the blanks and clarifies on things that were featured in the sneak peek.

“Smash” is a musical drama that celebrates the beauty and heartbreak of the Broadway theater as it follows a cross-section of dreamers and schemers who all have one common desire – to be a “Smash.”In Season 2, the “Bombshell” team is one step closer to achieving their Broadway dream. The Boston run was the success the team was hoping for, including producer Eileen Rand (Academy Award winner Anjelica Huston, “Prizzi’s Honor”), writers Tom Levitt (Tony Award winner Christian Borle, “Peter and the Starcatcher”) and Julia Houston (Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, “Will & Grace”), last-minute star Karen Cartwright (Katharine McPhee, “American Idol”) and director Derek Wills (Jack Davenport, “Pirates of the Caribbean”). But, they are all about to learn even a charmed show cannot avoid paying for sins of the past. Will Eileen get away with mixing business and pleasure with her shady paramour, Nick (guest star Thorsten Kaye)? Will Julia’s marriage to Frank (guest star Brian d’Arcy James) survive the revelation of her infidelity? Will actress Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty, “9 to 5: The Musical”) bounce back from the shame of losing the lead role to rival Karen and bedding her fiancé in retaliation? And will Tom and Julia’s long-time partnership endure the changing tides of opportunity?As they all scramble to push forward, one of the show’s players finds Brooklyn natives Jimmy Collins (Tony Award nominee Jeremy Jordan, “Newsies”) and Kyle Bishop (Andy Mientus, “Carrie: The Musical”) toiling away on a current-day rock musical of their own, which could either become “Bombshell’s” biggest rival, or yet one more Broadway false start.Weighing both the benefits and sacrifices of a career on Broadway, the “Smash” cast of Broadway hopefuls is rounded out by Karen’s lively new roommate/actress Ana Vargas (Krysta Rodriguez, “The Addams Family”) and Tom’s boyfriend, Sam Strickland (Leslie Odom, Jr., “Leap of Faith”).“Smash” has welcomed an impressive array of guest stars, including Uma Thurman (“The Producers”), Nick Jonas (“Jonas”) and Bernadette Peters (“Gypsy”), and the second season is no different. Oscar, Golden Globe and Grammy-winning actress-singer Jennifer Hudson (“Dreamgirls”) will appear in a multi-episode arc as Veronica Moore, a Tony Award-winning Broadway star who impacts the lives of Karen and Ivy Lynn. Emmy Award-winning actor Sean Hayes (NBC’s “Will & Grace”) will also recur as Terrence Falls, the star of the musical “Liaisons” who becomes a major thorn in the side for Ivy Lynn (Megan Hilty) and other characters. Jesse L. Martin (NBC’s “Law & Order,” “Rent”) will play Scott Nichols, the artistic director of a non-profit off-Broadway theatre. Additionally, Harvey Fierstein (“La Cage aux Folles”) makes a cameo appearance and Nikki Blonsky (“Hairspray”) recurs as Margot, a Broadway producer’s assistant.

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