June 12, 2026 – Finding Fire Island, the GLAAD-nominated documentary series and the first to document the history of Cherry Grove and The Fire Island Pines, is returning with a brand-new season. The first two episodes will drop on Thursday, June 11, with subsequent episodes to follow weekly.
Watch the “Finding Fire Island” Trailer
Finding Fire Island is created, executive produced, and narrated by Jess Rothschild. She takes us behind the curtain of the mystique and lore of Fire Island and talks to folks who experienced the gay mecca’s evolution from the 1950s to today. The series, which features rare archival footage, is co-produced with The Pines Historical Society.
Rothschild shares, “As my obsession with the history and culture of Fire Island intensified over the years, I began collecting interviews with notable Fire Island figures, past and present. This new season has allowed me to delve into stories that have yet to be told.”
Season Two focuses exclusively on The Pines, which is famous for its parties and exclusivity, but the series looks beyond the surface to the community who keep the fantasy alive. The Pines has become a canvas for queer imagination: in its architecture, its music, and the ways its residents come together to create something out of nothing.
Alongside longtime community members, Finding Fire Island also features Billy Porter, John Waters, Julio Torres (Saturday Night Live, HBO’s Fantasmas), DJ Lina Bradford, Tony-award winning Broadway producer/choreographer Jerry Mitchell, Peloton’s Cody Rigsby, comedian Jay Jurden, and Fire Island DJ legends Susan Morabito and Robbie Leslie.
Season One of Finding Fire Island featured Margaret Cho, Joel Kim Booster and Matt Rogers.
The series is distributed via the Broadway Podcast Network and is available on SiriusXM, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Amazon Music.
About Jess Rothschild:
Since 2019, Jess has hosted Hot Takes & Deep Dives centered on queer pop iconography and New York City culture. Jess has received acclaim from The New York Times for her interviews with Rosie O’Donnell, Sandra Bernhard, Isaac Mizrahi, Melissa Etheridge, Roxane Gay, Mario Cantone, Fran Drescher, and more. Her 2025 docu-series, Cult of Body & Soul, explored how SOULCYCLE transcended fitness by capturing the zeitgeist through ritual, candlelight, and a cult of personality. She can be found on Instagram, X, and Threads.
About The Fire Island Pines Historical Society:
The Fire Island Pines Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to collect, preserve, display, and celebrate the rich and colorful history of Fire Island Pines for present and future generations. As a designated Pines organization, the organization serves as a resource for historians, researchers, museums, media, and other institutions seeking to understand and interpret this extraordinary community.
Media ContactCompany Name: Gorenstein PublicityContact Person: Scott Gorenstein Email: Send EmailCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.gorensteinpublicity.com/
