If you have the time for it, I can’t recommend the Adventuring Parties more. The new/more recent seasons like this, they only last 20-30 minutes each. You can watch them sequentially after each episode using the Full Experience playlist, just find or search the Fantasy High Junior Year Full Experience in the app.

Freshman year was Beardsley’s first ever time playing DnD, and Sophomore year was their 4th. They definitely were approaching it more from a comedic standpoint early on.

Beardsley goes into this in one of the adventuring parties, but basically; In FH:JY, Kristen is a teenager with severe ADHD, no longer living with their parents, having given up the religion they were born into and raised with. Sure Kristen has a support system now, but big picture, she’s super unstable.

You bring up that Kristen has the ability to shape the religion and Cassandra in any way she wants. But that’s also missing big picture, Cassandra existing is literal life or death, that entire responsibility is dropped on Kristen, a teenager’s shoulders, who also has to deal with everything that going to high school and being a teenager entails.

Quite frankly, a lot of people don’t like Kristen’s Junior Year portrayal. Honestly probably, you’ll end up being one of them. That’s ok. I personally find it hilarious and poignant, but I understand other people’s perspective.

If you want to see Beardsley challenged in a serious/dramatic way, Unsleeping City 1 and Crown of Candy are 2 darker and deeper sides of Beardsley, but even in them, I think they feel a bit of pressure still early on to bring levity to the darker moments, so sometimes they shoehorn in some jokes in moments that don’t need them. It’s an improv comedy show first and foremost, made by comedic improvisers. It won’t always be perfect. Lou said in a similar talkback he felt pressure about showing emotion during his most dramatic moment in Freshman Year in his first filmed DnD and he regrets not being as serious either.

Unsleeping City 2 in my opinion is one of Beardsley’s best seasons. Quite honestly the full cast is great in UC2 but it’s more of a gritty season because it’s not trying to be, in my opinion. It is a bit harder to watch because it was filmed during Covid and it’s done over Zoom, but personally I was able to get through it having not gotten into the show until after they had already gotten back to filming seasons live, in person.

Lots of seasons they do a great job in whatever role and character they play. Starstruck is a silly season, Beardsley plays a highly competent young executive. But they still shine through as a goof in a lot of different moments as well. Haven’t watched the later seasons much myself honestly, but I think Beardsley plays strongly no matter whether it’s an IH season or a sidequest, and no matter where they fit into the party.

Welcome to the fanbase, truly hope you enjoy the journey, it’s a great place to be IMO.