Diverse casting includes Keke Palmer as Zayday Williams, a capable medical student and investigator who partners with Dean Munsch and others on the killer plot, alongside Niecy Nash as Denise Hemphill; these are original characters integrated into the ensemble without source-material changes or forced clashes with the setting. Thematic elements touch on female empowerment and friendship through the Chanels' arcs and Munsch's hospital mission, echoing Murphy's broader style, but remain secondary to the episodic killer reveals, romances, and over-the-top humor.

No evidence of race- or gender-swapped established characters, explicit systemic oppression narratives, or creator statements framing the season around activism. Reception shows limited season-2-specific controversy compared to season 1's satire debates, with the show prioritizing broad comedic appeal over messaging.