By Shivam Das | October 10, 2026
How is Haunted Hotel made? Netflix’s adult animated horror-comedy pairs a haunted setting with the everyday pressures of family life and running a business. Season 2 arrived October 9, 2026, bringing the Undervale back for eight new episodes. Behind the show’s oddball monsters and fast comic timing is a creative team led by creator and showrunner Matt Roller, supervising director Erica Hayes, executive producers Chris McKenna, Dan Harmon and Steve Levy, plus a voice cast that includes Will Forte, Eliza Coupe, Skyler Gisondo, Natalie Palamides and Jimmi Simpson.
Matt Roller’s comedy background shapes the series
Matt Roller created Haunted Hotel and serves as showrunner. Netflix’s official announcement notes his writing credits on series including Community, Rick and Morty and Archer. That background is a useful clue to the show’s approach: supernatural ideas are pushed into absurd situations, but the jokes often come from recognizable frustrations around family, work and responsibility.
The central setup is simple and flexible. Katherine inherits and manages the Undervale, while her brother Nathan remains part of the household as a ghost. Their family and the hotel’s supernatural residents create a steady stream of problems that can be scary, ridiculous or unexpectedly heartfelt.
Supervising director Erica Hayes and the animation team
Netflix’s Season 2 announcement identifies Erica Hayes as supervising director. The role helps connect the show’s visual storytelling across episodes, while animation teams turn scripts, storyboards, designs and recorded performances into finished scenes. Netflix’s release coverage does not provide a full shot-by-shot production breakdown, so this article does not attribute specific animation techniques or individual scenes to a named artist without a direct source.
The show’s visual premise gives the artists room to contrast a familiar hotel environment with bizarre creatures and supernatural events. Doors, hallways, guest rooms and service areas are recognizable settings; the comedy comes from how the living and the dead use them in unexpected ways.
Executive producers behind the hotel
Netflix lists Chris McKenna, Dan Harmon and Steve Levy among the executive producers alongside Roller. Harmon’s connection to adult animated comedy is familiar to viewers of Rick and Morty, while McKenna has worked across television and major studio films. Executive producer credits indicate creative and production leadership, but they should not be mistaken for proof that every producer wrote or directed every episode.
The voice cast brings the characters to life
Eliza Coupe as Katherine
Katherine is the practical center of the story. She has to handle the hotel’s business needs and raise her children even when the building’s supernatural residents make a normal day impossible. Coupe’s comedy background suits the character’s mix of competence and exasperation.
Will Forte as Nathan
Nathan is no longer alive, but he remains deeply involved in the family’s decisions. Forte’s distinctive comic timing gives the character room to be affectionate, stubborn and ridiculous at once.
Skyler Gisondo as Ben
Ben helps ground the supernatural chaos in a younger family member’s experience. Gisondo’s other work includes Booksmart and The Righteous Gemstones.
Natalie Palamides as Esther
Esther brings her own unpredictable energy to the family’s life. Palamides is a comedian and voice performer known for expressive character work.
Jimmi Simpson as Abaddon
Abaddon’s imposing supernatural identity clashes with his small physical form, creating a source of visual and verbal comedy. Simpson is also known for roles in Westworld and other television dramas and comedies.
Why sound and performance matter in animation
Voice actors record performances that animators can use to shape a character’s expressions, rhythm and reactions. In a comedy like Haunted Hotel, the pause before a punchline or the shift from confidence to panic can be as important as the supernatural creature on screen. The finished episode combines acting, writing, direction, animation, editing and sound design; no single element explains the whole result.
Season 2 trailer
Watch Netflix’s official Season 2 trailer for a look at the characters and the show’s supernatural-comedy style.
Watch the trailer on YouTube · Open related Instagram post · Search X for Matt Roller and Haunted Hotel discussion.
Join the fan conversation
Fans discuss the show’s characters, animation and new episodes in the Haunted Hotel subreddit. This is community discussion, not an official statement from Netflix or the production team.
Haunted Hotel Season 2 general discussion on Reddit
Frequently asked questions
Who created Haunted Hotel?
Matt Roller created the series and serves as showrunner.
Who is the supervising director?
Netflix’s Season 2 announcement identifies Erica Hayes as supervising director.
Who are the executive producers?
Netflix lists Chris McKenna, Dan Harmon and Steve Levy among the executive producers alongside Matt Roller.
Which actors voice the main characters?
The main voice cast includes Eliza Coupe, Will Forte, Skyler Gisondo, Natalie Palamides and Jimmi Simpson.
Where can I watch Season 2?
Visit the official Netflix title page for availability in your region.
Sources and further reading
- Netflix Tudum — Season 2 announcement, creator, cast and supervising director
- Netflix — official Haunted Hotel page
- What’s on Netflix — interview with Matt Roller, Eliza Coupe and Jimmi Simpson
- What’s on Netflix — Season 2 trailer and production context
Image note: The photos are intended to depict real people involved in the series, not animated characters. Image URLs are hosted by third parties and may change; check usage rights before commercial reuse. Social embeds depend on the Shopify theme and third-party scripts.
