Yeah, baby–Psych is coming back! Well … sort of.

In February 2019, the USA Network announced Psych: The Movie 2 was in production and would be released later this year. For devotees of the original show and first TV movie, this was more than welcome news; Psych fans have been dying to see Shawn Spencer (James Roday) and Burton “Gus” Guster (Dulé Hill) back to their old hijinks again.

Series creator Steve Franks is directing the new film, which is being produced through Universal Content Productions and Thruline Entertainment. Franks co-wrote this new Psych installment with Roday (who wrote for the previous film and several Psych episodes) and producer Andy Berman. With these big names in play, what can we expect when the movie drops later this year?

What We Know So Far

Psych: The Movie 2 will see Shawn and Gus return to their old stomping grounds after their long-time friend, Carlton “Lassie” Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) is shot and left for dead. Dedicated to supporting their friend and figuring out what happened, Gus and Shawn jump on the case.

Quickly, things get weird. In a “Hitchcockian” twist, Lassie begins witnessing seemingly impossible things while recovering at a clinic. The police refuse to help our heroes, forcing them to rely on their wits and skills to solve the case. Along the way, they may have to confront the supernatural after so many years pretending. What mysteries and dangers await, we do not yet know, but the possibilities are endless.

Of course, many of Psych’s long-standing characters will be returning to help Shawn and Gus along the way. Detective Juliet O’Hara (Maggie Lawson), Chief Karen Vick (Kirsten Nelson), and Henry Spencer (Corbin Bernsen) are among some of the many fan favorites coming back to help Shawn & Gus solve the mystery. We can also anticipate some pretty interesting and exciting guest appearances.

And The Guest Stars Are…

We only have a few current clues about who we can expect to make appearances in Psych: The Movie 2, but if they’re half as crazy as the first film, then buckle up–it will be a crazy ride. After all, you had cameos in the first movie like S.E. Hinton (yes, the author of The Outsiders!) and guest stars like Zachary Levi playing villains. So who do we know about so far?

Two guest stars we can pretty much say for certain are appearing in the Psych movie sequel are Joel McHale (Community) and Jimmi Simpson (Westworld). McHale has not yet divulged his role and presence in the movie. The most we know currently comes from Omundson, who teased McHale’s appearance on Twitter back in April. Simpson’s reasoning for joining the film is known to many Psych fans, but how he will appear is the intriguing question.

Simpson will be reprising his role from the show–the serial-killer-obsessed psychologist Dr. Marion “Mary” Lightly. However, there’s an odd hitch: the character’s been dead since season four. Yet he still somehow manages to show up in later seasons and even the first Psych movie. The writers have used clever devices to bring him back before. Just a few include video recordings, dream sequences, and even a trip to heaven. What will the writers do this time to bring him back into the fold?

Simpson has briefly hinted at what’s to come. At the ATX Television Festival this year, he disclosed to TV Guide that Mary’s appearance may be the weirdest one to date. In that interview, he also commented on the writers’ fascination with bringing his character back, stating: “It’s basically [Roday]’s goal to come up with a new way to use Mary Lightly with whatever … they’re doing next.” Whatever’s to come, we can anticipate something wacky and goofy as only Psych can pull off.

More ‘Psych’ Movies to Come?

First airing in 2006, Psych ran on television for eight whole seasons. There were always murmurs of a movie in the works after the show ended. However, it wasn’t until December 2017 those whispers became something tangible. Now with a sequel heading our way, is this the last gasp of this iconic TV phenomenon?

Maybe not, according to Franks. Since discussing it at Comic-Con in 2017, Franks has floated the idea of making up to six movies in an effort to extend the Psych universe and lineage. This might be all smoke and mirrors, but it’s an exciting possibility. For now, we’ll have to see what awaits us with Psych: The Movie 2 coming to our screens at the end of 2019.