Is Prime Video Bringing Back ‘The Runarounds’ For A Second Season? What To Know

Amazon Prime Video dropped The Runarounds on Sept. 1, instantly sparking interest among young adult drama fans. The show introduces audiences to a group of friends navigating post-high school life while chasing their dreams of musical stardom. Main cast members include William Lipton, Axel Ellis, Jeremy Yun, Zendé Murdock and Jesse Golliher, who set the bar high.

But the series stands out because the cast members aren’t just actors playing musicians – they’re a real band. As creator Jonas Pate shares with WECT News, “I just wanted the music to be real. One of the things that we did that’s different than the norm is when you see music in the show, it’s what they actually played on set that day, mistakes and all. It wasn’t pre-recorded. A lot of shows like to pre-record in the studio and then they just lay it on top of the image. We just wanted this to feel as true as possible to what it would be like to be a young garage band trying to make it.”

What band is ‘The Runarounds’ based on?

Today’s shows are typically loosely modeled after famous groups. But The Runarounds is based on its own band, which was created from the ground up. The project began as a simple casting search. And it had a turnout of around 5,000 high school bands and musicians, per Entertainment Weekly. The creative team was led by Outer Banks co-creator Jonas Pate, who handpicked five rising artists.

These selections had to have more than just an acting ability; they also had to have real musical talent. As shared with Entertainment Weekly, Pate wanted to do something different by creating a band to make the show more authentic.

“I knew that most times what happens is you get actors to play musicians and you fake the music […] I was like, ‘Let’s not do that. Let’s see if we can find who’s out there.’” So they put out a call for bands. And this call ultimately had a great response. Pate shares, “We basically said, ‘We’re going to put a band in ‘Outer Banks,’ send us your high school band’ […] We got 5,000 bands sent to us in a week.”

More about the real life Runarounds

The result of this process was the formation of an authentic band that exists outside of the TV screen. Interestingly enough, before the series even premiered, they performed as The Runarounds in Outer Banks season three, per SoapCentral. Per Murdock’s recollection of playing together for the first time (in conversation with WECT News), “It was one of those moments where you feel the spark, you know. We were brought down to Charleston (South Carolina) all the way back in 2020, a full five years ago now. We basically had a song that we had all been sent previously. We learned it at home and then we came in and we played it together and it was like, ‘Wow, this is it!”

The band members got to play their own instruments, write music, and perform live. This sidestepped the artificiality that often comes with scripted band shows. Instead, viewers get a hybrid experience. They get a drama that mirrors the real struggles of breaking into the music industry. But it also introduces audiences to a band that can easily tour, record or perform outside of the realm of television.

Alongside releasing the show’s eight-episode first season, Prime Video also launched a 17-song original soundtrack. This made it both a TV series and a legitimate musical debut. It has a mix of authentic performances, relatable character arcs and a nostalgic small-town feel. And all this, plus the North Carolina backdrop, has left fans wondering if a season two of The Runarounds is on the horizon.

Where was ‘The Runarounds’ filmed?

Both the story and production of The Runarounds are rooted in the same place. Wilmington, North Carolina, is where the cast and crew set up shop. It is a coastal city with a growing reputation as a filming hotspot. According to SoapCentral, cameras started rolling there in August 2024. The show captures Wilmington’s charm and coastal scenery in order to depict the hometown of the band. This choice in location wasn’t just practical, it also reflects creator Jonas Pate’s personal connection to the region.

Pate, who also co-created Outer Banks, has often leaned on North Carolina settings to tell stories of youthful adventure. The landscapes of Wilmington, from its boardwalks, open skies and charming neighborhood hangouts, help set the tone that defines the show’s first season. Pate has shared how his love for the location translated to the show. In conversation with WECT News, he said, “I love Wilmington, I live in Wilmington, I felt that it’s been represented for so long. But it’s never been represented as Wilmington. I was excited to have the opportunity to do that. You and I know how great where we live is, and I just wanted to bring that to life on screen.”

Is there going to be a season two of ‘The Runarounds’?

One of the biggest questions surrounding this Prime Video release is whether or not it will be renewed for a second season. As of early September 2025, viewers are still waiting on an answer to the big question, as Life and Style Mag confirms. The streaming platform has not announced an official renewal. But what is clear is that showrunner Jonas Pate has a long-term vision for the show.

As he shared with Entertainment Weekly, he plans for a multi-season story arc. “We have a whole architecture for five-plus seasons mapped out that tells the story of what happens to them.”

Meanwhile, the band is doing everything possible to keep the momentum going. Beyond the show, The Runarounds have released their debut album on Spotify and are gearing up for a U.S. tour. They’ve even hinted at dropping new music and been established as an independent success aside from the show, as Hollywood Reporter shares. If a renewal does come through, industry insiders predict that production would likely begin in mid-2026. This would make it out to be a 2026 or early 2027 release if it gets picked up, per Us Weekly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are The Runarounds still performing?

Yes, they are an active and touring group who have already performed live. So they are a good example of a TV group seamlessly crossing into the real music world.

Where can I watch The Runarounds show?

All eight of the episodes are available to watch exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. Fans can listen to the original soundtrack on Spotify (and some other music platforms). This will allow fans to get a feel for the story and music that fuels the series.

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