Dev is so last season! When Smash returns for its second season Feb. 5 on NBC, Karen (Katharine McPhee) will find herself very much involved with up-and-coming composer Jimmy (Jeremy Jordan) — but don’t call it a “love story” just yet. “It’s more of a chemistry story,” Jeremy explained to HollywoodLife.com during a recent visit to the show’s NYC set. “It’s this constant tug and pull; just when you think something might happen with them, something gets in the way.”

Katharine, meanwhile, chooses to look at Karen and Jimmy’s relationship in a much more romantic light, describing it as a “tumultuous love affair.”

Jimmy’s a tough nut to crack, and it sounds like Karen is just the squirrel he’s been looking for. (Does that make sense? Squirrels crack nuts, right?)

“He doesn’t trust anyone — except maybe his best friend Kyle, played by Andy Mientus — until Karen comes in,” Jeremy said. “She sort of starts to open him up a little bit, but it’s very hard work on her part.”

And Karen doesn’t exactly mind putting in the extra effort.

“I think she she — as many theater girls are — is a sucker for men that are incredibly talented,” Katharine admitted.

What’s The Deal With Jimmy?

After chatting with Jeremy about his bad-boy character, I think it’s safe to say that Karen has no idea what she’s getting herself into.

“He’s a very angry young man,” Jeremy said. “He’s had a lot of really bad things happen to him in his life. … It’s difficult for him to trust anybody with his [music], so you’ll see a lot of contention between him and the characters. He’s a tough one to like, but hopefully you’ll see glimpses of why he is that way and how good he can be.”

And even though drugs play into Jimmy’s story line a bit, Jeremy “wouldn’t say he’s a drug addict.”

“It’s sort what gets him through tough times … his denial,” Jeremy explained. “Whenever he doesn’t understand how to deal with something, or doesn’t want to face it, that’s where he goes.”

Watch the first hour of Smash‘s second season below, then drop a comment with your initial reactions: How do you feel about Karen and Jimmy as a potential couple?

— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

More Smash on HollywoodLife.com:

1. ‘Smash’ Season 2 Trailer: New Faces Battle For The Spotlight
2. ‘Hairspray’ Star Nikki Blonsky Joining ‘Smash’ Season 2 — Confirmed
3. ‘Smash’: Katharine McPhee Previews Karen & Ivy’s New Season 2 Rivalry

NBC premiered the first full-length trailer for Smash‘s second season Nov. 18 during The Voice, and while some things remain the same — Karen (Katharine McPhee) and Ivy (Megan Hilty) are still at each other’s pitch-perfect throats — it feels like an entirely different show in many respects.

All of the dead weight from season one appears to have been dropped — even Julia’s (Debra Messing) fan-hated son Leo is out of the picture — while bright, shiny new faces have entered the fray. The most notable addition is Jennifer Hudson as Veronica, a Broadway powerhouse who appears to be a valuable ally for Karen.

Newsies star Jeremy Jordan, who joins the series as Karen’s new Brooklyn-dwelling squeeze, is also featured heavily in the trailer. Even from the few notes he sings in the video, it’s obvious he’s going to be easy on the ears — and on the eyes, but that’s another story.

Eileen (Anjelica Huston) also has some drama ahead of her, as she’s seen visiting someone — Nick? — in jail. Bombshell is definitely going to be a success, but Eileen might have to come crawling back to her ex for help with funding. And you know what that means: More drinks in Jerry’s face!

There’s a lot more to be seen in the 4-minute video, so watch it for yourself below. Then drop a comment with your thoughts: What are you most excited to see when Smash returns Feb. 5?

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— Andy Swift

Follow @AndySwift

More Smash on HollywoodLife.com:

1. ‘Smash’ Season 2 Scoop: Is Ivy Replacing Karen In ‘Bombshell?’
2. ‘Smash’: Katharine McPhee Previews Karen & Ivy’s New Season 2 Rivalry
3. ‘Hairspray’ Star Nikki Blonsky Joining ‘Smash’ Season 2 — Confirmed