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The biggest Disney Channel Original Movie Franchise has released its fourth installment, Descendants: The Rise of Red. Fans are curious what happens after Descendants: The Royal Wedding, but more importantly, which Descendants characters will be returning. And with new characters comes new questions, like “Who is Morgie Le Fay?” The cast of Descendants: The Rise of Red brings a mix of familiar faces and exciting new talent to tell story of Red, the Queen of Heart’s daughter, traveling through time to change her mother’s evil ways.
The musical franchise about the children of famous Disney heroes and villains has an all-star cast with the help of big names such as Rita Ora plus Brandy Norwood and Paolo Montalban, who reprise their classic roles from the 1997 Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella television movie.
Cast of Descendants: The Rise of Red
Jennifer Phang, who directs and co-executive produces, guides the cast of this exciting new chapter. The film, which began shooting in early 2023 under the working title The Pocketwatch, sees the boundaries removed between Auradon and Wonderland. From newcomers to current Disney stars and characters shown at various stages of life, the cast for the fourth Descendants movie appears to be one of the largest to date.
Kylie Cantrall as Red
Red, the rebellious and strong titular character, works with Chloe Charming to travel back to the past to change her mother, the Queen of Hearts, for the better. Kylie Cantrall, is the perfect choice for the role, as she was once known for reviewing Disney Channel shows for her YouTube series under the moniker Hello Kylie.
The Gabby Duran & the Unsittables star is no stranger to the Descendants franchise, lending her vocals to the remix of “What’s My Name” for the Descendants Remix Dance Party television special.
Malia Baker as Chloe Charming
One of the many newcomers of the Descendants cast is Malia Baker who plays Chloe Charming. Best known for her roles in Are You Afraid of the Dark? and The Baby-Sitters Club, Baker takes on the role as sister of Chad Charming and works with Red to save her mother, Cinderella, from the Queen of Hearts.
China Anne McClain as Uma
Reprising her role as Ursula’s swashbuckling daughter, Uma, is China Anne McClain. Uma is the new headmistress of Auradon Prep tasked with looking after the new students. McClain is best known for her roles in A.N.T. Farm, Black Lightning, and Tyler Perry’s House of Payne.
Dara Reneé as Uliana
One of the main antagonists of Descendants: The Rise of Red is Ursula’s older sister and Uma’s aunt, Uliana. Best known for her portrayal of Kourtney Greene in High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Dara Renee brings her incredible charisma to the villainous Uliana. Uliana was the queen bee and evil leader of a group of villains at Merlin Academy in the past.
Rita Ora as the Queen of Hearts
The main villainess of Descendants: The Rise of Red is the infamous Queen of Hearts. As the tyrannical ruler of Wonderland, she plans to take over Auradon Prep and have Cinderella executed—unless her rebellious daughter, Red, stops her. Rita Ora, one of the biggest pop stars in the UK, has appeared in movies such as the Fifty Shades franchise and as a judge on the UK version of The Masked Singer.
Ruby Rose Turner as Bridget
Ruby Rose Turner, best known for her role as Phyllis Gladstone in Neftlix’s Fuller House, plays Bridget—also known as the younger version of the Queen of Hearts. As Red and Chloe travel to the past to change the future, they encounter Bridget, Red’s future mother. Once a sweet and kind girl, Bridget’s story reveals what turned her into the evil Queen of Hearts in the future.
Brandy as Cinderella
After 27 years, Brandy reprises her iconic role of Cinderella from the 1997 television movie. The Grammy award-winning artist joins the eclectic Descendants cast as Chloe Charming’s mother and the Queen of Hearts’ friend turned enemy. Red and Chloe travel through time to save Cinderella from the Queen’s wrath.
Morgan Dudley as Ella
The younger version of Cinderella is played by newcomer Morgan Dudley. Best known for her role as Robin in the Netflix Original A Tourist’s Guide To Love, Morgan brings a whimsical and wholesome charm to Ella, the girl who later becomes the most recognized Disney princess. The young Ella joins Red and Chloe on their quest to stop Bridget from becoming the mad Queen of Hearts.
Joshua Colley as young Hook
Captain Hook is the father of Harry and CJ Hook from Descendants 2. Playing the younger version of Hook in Descendants 4 is Joshua Colley. Colley is widely known for his Broadway performances in Les Misérables and The Litte Mermaid, as well as playing the role of Liam in the Love, Simon television series.
Peder Lindell as Morgie
Morgie Le Fay is the son of the most powerful sorceress in Camelot, Morgana Le Fay. Morgie is another one of Ulina’s followers who uses tricks and dark magic to mess with his enemies. Peder Lindell, a rising star, previously acted in the 2021 web series Hidden Falls as Lornish Guard.
Paolo Montalban as King Charming
Also making his decades-long return from the 1997 Cinderella movie is Paolo Montalban as King Charming. Alongside his on-screen queen Brandy as Cinderella, King Charming teaches his daughter Chloe to defend herself through sword fighting. Montalban is also well known for his numerous Broadway roles in Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the newly released White Rose: The Musical.
Tristan Padil as teen Prince Charming
As Red and Chloe continue their time travel mission, they run into Chloe’s father as a teen, Prince Charming. Descendants: The Rise of Red marks Tristan Padil’s first-ever movie role after his first acting role in the short film The Lake Merritt Monster. As a teenager, the future King Charming is a fun-loving skateboarder trying to flirt with the young Cinderella.
Melanie Paxson as Fairy Godmother
Melanie Paxson returns to her classic role of the Fairy Godmother in Descendants: The Rise of Red. The Fairy Godmother has been a guardian angel and a great teacher to the former villainous kids from the Descendants trilogy. After passing the torch to Uma to become headmistress of Auradon Prep, Fairy Godmother is sadly at the mercy of the evil Queen of Hearts who breaks her famous magic wand. In addition to being the most consistent cast member of Descendants, Melanie Paxson is a Disney film alum with her role in Saving Mr. Banks.
Grace Narducci as Fay
With the Fairy Godmother rendered powerless in the future, Red and Chloe travel back to the past and meet with Fay, the young Fairy Godmother. Grace Narducci, best known for her appearances in 9-1-1 and NCIS joins the Descendants 4 cast as the future guardian of the Disney heroes’ children. She also acts as Red and Chloe’s guide through Merlin Academy.
Levin Valayil as Aladdin
Joining the Descendants cast is Levin Valayil as Agrabah’s hero, Aladdin. Valayil is a theater veteran who is no stranger to Disney characters, playing Mowgli in the theater adaptation of The Jungle Book. Aladdin, the former master of the Genie, has made a few appearances in the Descendants series with him still married to the love of his life, Jasmine.
Kabir Bery as young Aladdin
Kabir Bery makes his television movie debut, joining the cast of Descendants: The Rise of Red as the young Aladdin. The “diamond in the rough” appears in a relationship with the younger Jasmine at Merlin Academy. Bery is still very new to the world of acting but looks to have a bright future ahead of him.
Shazia Pascal as Jasmine
Sultana Jasmine, ruler of Agrabah, joins to the cast of Descendants: The Rise of Red. Jasmine, mother of Aziz and wife of Aladdin, graces the small screen with her royal presence at Auradon Prep. Pascal is recognized for her varied appearances in music videos for artists like the Backstreet Boys and Justin Timberlake.
Aiza Azaar as young Jasmine
Young Aiza Azaar is cast in her very first acting role as Princess Jasmine. In the past at Merlin Academy, Jasmine and Aladdin were teenagers in love with their own shipping name, “Jaladdin.” Azaar joining the Descendants 4 cast is the start of the young performer’s career.
Jeremy Swift as Merlin
The headmaster of Merlin Academy and the greatest Disney wizard joins the Rise of Red cast. Jeremy Swift brings his incredible acting chops to the film, thanks to his performances in Downton Abbey and Mary Poppins Returns. As Red and Chloe try to remain secretive about their time travel business, Merlin keeps a sharp eye on his new “transfer” students.
Leonardo Nam as Maddox Hatter
The son of the Mad Hatter and an eccentric inventor, Maddox Hatter helps Red and Chloe travel through time using a magical pocket watch. Leonardo Nam stars the the eccentric Descendants character. Nam is best known for his roles in The Perfect Heist, The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, and Westworld.
Alex Boniello as Jack of Diamonds
Alex Boniello takes on a commanding Descendants role as the captain of the Queen of Hearts’ army, Jack of Diamonds. Boniello is famous for his portrayal of Connor Murphy in the 2021 musical film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen, as well as other theater acting roles.
Sam Morelos as Meadow
Sam Morelos, best known for her role as Nikki in That 90s Show, is Meadow in the cast of Descendants: The Rise of Red. Meadow is a uniquely stylish student from Merlin Academy, usually seen with Fay and Prince Charming. She might even be connected to Rapunzel due to her long and fast-growing hair.
Mars as young Maleficent
The future mother of Mal from the Descendants trilogy is played by Mars, an up-and-coming non-binary actor in their first-ever movie role. The young Maleficent is seen hanging out with Uliana’s band of misfit villains and makes Bridget’s life a living nightmare at Merlin Academy. Mars delivers a commanding portrayal of Maleficent, one of the coolest Disney dragons and baddest Disney villains.
Anthony Pyatt as young Hades
Hades, Maleficent’s past boyfriend and future ex-husband, makes a head-turning appearance. Still rocking the wild blue hairdo just like the previous Descendants movies, the young Hades causes chaos and mayhem at Merlin Academy with Uliana’s crew. Anthony Pyatt, who joins the cast of Descendants: The Rise of Red in the villainous role, can also be seen in the 2015 drama When I’m with You.
Julee Cerda as Lady Tremaine
Replacing Linda Ko as Lady Tremaine in Descendants 3 is Julee Cerda from Disney+’s The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers. The evil stepmother from Cinderella is still the same bitter old woman that she always was as she torments Ella during her time at Merlin Academy. Chloe thankfully defends her future mother from Lady Tremaine’s wrath.
