Zendaya returns as the protagonist, Rue Bennett, an anxious teenager who's struggling with drug addiction. The trailer for the second season gives some insight into Rue's feelings for Jules. It also looks like Rue will find even more strife at home when it comes to handling her addiction. Zendaya told British Vogue in October 2021 that this season will be particularly hard for Rue. "When we have all this really dark sh*t — especially this season breaks my heart for Rue — there's a glimmer of hope because I know that she is a version of [creator Sam Levinson]," she said.
Aside from this award-winning role, Zendaya has recently appeared in Spider-Man: No Way Home alongside Tom Holland and Dune with Timothee Chalamet.