“There are a lot of big changes from last season,” says Megan Hilty, aka to fans of NBC’s hit “Smash” as Ivy Lynn, about the show’s new season. “We have a lot of new faces, great guest stars, new musicals, and a lot more drama.” Adds Leslie Odom, Jr., who plays Ivy’s best friend, Sam: “All the things that people loved about the first season are back. So are the things they loved to hate. And now there’s going to be even more.”

“Smash” returned February 5 with a special two-hour premiere featuring huge production numbers, Oscar-winning guest star Jennifer Hudson, new characters, a new show-runner (Josh Safran), plus all of the familiar jealousy, back-stabbing, ego, insecurity, and wonderful music that made it one of TV’s best new shows of 2012. In the event you missed the sizzling season opener, you can watch it on TV with XFINITY On Demand or online with XFINITY TV or just click on the video below.

Aware that most fans (and probably some network executives) are having a hard time waiting till the premiere date, NBC announced the first hour will be available on Monday, January 14. Here is what you need to know to get ready for the new season:

Meet the New Composers: Jeremy Jordan, a Tony Award nominee for his leading role in the Broadway hit “Newsies,” and Andy Mientus, who starred in the road company of “Spring Awakening,” play Jimmy Collins and Kyle Bishop, an up-and-coming writing team in Brooklyn working on a contemporary rock musical. “The first day on the set was thrilling,” says Mientus. “I walked into a room and saw a lot of people from the theater world I had idolized growing up, alongside these Academy Award winner and television legends. Everyone was friendly. In a great way, I felt totally at ease.”