Critical Role founders Ashley Johnson and Taliesin Jaffe team up for the second season of Weird Kids
Critical Role, the entertainment company renowned for its decade-long streaming presence in tabletop gaming, is expanding its content offerings with the return of Weird Kids. The talk show will debut its second season exclusively on Beacon, Critical Role’s subscription-based streaming platform, with 24 new episodes launching in May.
Hosted by Ashley Johnson and Taliesin Jaffe—both founding members of Critical Role who gained prominence through the company’s acclaimed Dungeons & Dragons campaigns—Weird Kids is an hour-long format that explores unconventional topics and personal stories. Johnson, known for her role in The Last of Us, and voice actor Jaffe use the platform to engage audiences through conversations and deep-dives into interests beyond tabletop gaming.
This revival demonstrates Critical Role’s strategic diversification beyond D&D streaming content. While the company built its reputation through tabletop gaming broadcasts that captivated millions of viewers, Weird Kids represents a commitment to original programming that leverages the company’s roster of performers and personalities. The exclusive availability on Beacon reflects Critical Role’s ongoing efforts to develop its proprietary streaming platform and cultivate direct relationships with its fanbase.
The series joins Critical Role’s growing slate of original shows, signaling the company’s evolution into a broader entertainment entity. The simultaneous launch of 24 episodes represents a significant content investment and demonstrates confidence in the show’s appeal to its audience.