When Disney first announced Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires, the internet basically went into a tailspin. People were convinced the story had ended with the aliens in the third movie. But honestly? The franchise just found its second wind by leaning into a totally different monster mythos. If you’ve been following Zed and Addison since 2018, you know the vibe is always about "inclusion," but the cast of Zombies 4 actually shakes up the formula more than any of the previous sequels.
It’s not just about the hair colors anymore. We’re talking about a full-on road trip that strands our favorite undead-human couple in a territory where they aren't the big shots anymore.
The Heavy Hitters: Who Actually Came Back?
Let’s get the obvious out of the way. Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly are back as Zed and Addison. It wouldn’t be a Zombies movie without them, but things are different this time. They aren't just the stars; they actually stepped up as executive producers for this one. Milo has talked about how they wanted to "set the vibe" on set for the younger kids, which is kinda wild when you realize they were basically children themselves when the first movie dropped.
Meg is still rocking the platinum Addison look, and Milo’s Zed is dealing with the reality of being a "legend" in Seabrook while being a total stranger in the new world of the Suntoons and Vampires.
Chandler Kinney also returns as Willa. Honestly, Willa is the glue of the supernatural group at this point. Her wolf energy is a necessary contrast to the new, more "refined" monsters we meet. Kylee Russell is back as Eliza too, though you might notice she’s mostly "tech-supporting" from afar in some scenes—Kylee was actually pregnant during filming, so the production had to get creative with how she appeared.
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The New Blood: Meet the Vampires and Daywalkers
This is where people get confused. The cast of Zombies 4 introduces two specific factions: the Vampires and the Daywalkers. This isn't your Twilight or Vampire Diaries situation. It’s Disney, so it’s bright, musical, and a little bit snarky.
- Freya Skye as Nova: Nova is a "Daywalker." Think of her as a radiant, sun-powered supernatural who is basically the polar opposite of a traditional zombie. Freya is a huge deal in the UK (she was a Junior Eurovision standout), and this is her big jump into the Disney Channel Original Movie (DCOMS) world.
- Malachi Barton as Victor: You probably recognize Malachi from The Villains of Valley View. He plays Victor, a "brooding" Vampire. But he's not just "angst." He has this wind-control power that makes the choreography in the musical numbers look insane.
- Mekonnen Knife as Vargas: He’s the comic relief of the vampire group. A bit dim, very cheerful, and a total scene-stealer.
- Swayam Bhatia as Vera: Another vampire, but she's the one who is skeptical of the "outsiders" (Zed and Addison).
The chemistry between Freya and Malachi is the heart of the new conflict. They’re basically the new generation’s version of the "star-crossed lovers" trope, and Zed and Addison have to play the role of the "old wise couple" trying to stop them from starting a war. It’s a weird transition to see Milo and Meg as the mentors, but it works.
Why the Supporting Cast Matters This Time
In the past, the side characters were just "there" for the dance numbers. In Zombies 4, the supporting cast of Zombies 4 feels more integrated into the lore.
Julian Lerner plays Ray, Nova's best friend. He’s a Daywalker with a lot of confidence—maybe too much. Then you have Lisa Chappell as the Eldress and Jonno Roberts as Commander Bright. These are the "adult" figures who represent the old-school prejudice that Zed and Addison thought they had already defeated back in Seabrook.
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The filming took place in New Zealand, which gave the whole movie a much larger, "cinematic" feel compared to the Toronto sets of the first three. You can tell the cast bonded during those night shoots. There are stories about the group having Twilight watch parties to get into the vampire "mood," which is hilarious considering how much brighter Zombies 4 is than anything in Forks.
What Fans Get Wrong About the Lineup
One major misconception is that the "aliens" from Zombies 3 are the main focus again. They aren't. While the movie acknowledges the events of the third film, the focus shifts heavily toward the new monster rivalry.
Also, many people expected the entire original Seabrook High crew to have major roles. While some make cameos or are mentioned, this is very much a "road trip" movie. It’s tight, focused on the ensemble in this new location, and it feels like a soft reboot for the franchise.
If you're looking for Trevor Tordjman (Bucky), he's busy with other Disney projects, but his spirit is definitely felt in the "perfectionist" energy of the new villains.
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Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you’re diving into the world of Zombies 4, here is how to keep up with this evolving cast:
- Watch the "Re-Animated" Series: Before the movie, Disney released an animated series. Most of the cast of Zombies 4 voiced their characters there first, and it sets up the humor style you'll see in the film.
- Check the Soundtrack Credits: Because Freya Skye is a professional singer, her solos are some of the most technical songs in the franchise. It’s worth listening to the "Dawn of the Vampires" tracks on Spotify to hear the range difference between the OG cast and the newcomers.
- Follow the Newcomers: Malachi Barton and Freya Skye are clearly being groomed as the next "faces" of Disney. Following their social media gives you a lot of the behind-the-scenes "New Zealand vlog" content that didn't make it into the Disney+ specials.
- Look for the Executive Producer credits: Knowing Milo and Meg helped produce this explains why the characters feel a bit more mature. They had a say in the script, especially regarding Zed and Addison's "endgame" vibes.
The franchise has come a long way from a simple "zombie meets girl" story. With the addition of vampires and daywalkers, the world-building is finally catching up to the catchy music. The cast of Zombies 4 proves that even if you're the "old" stars, there's always room to grow—and maybe teach the new monsters a thing or two about harmony.
Next Step: You can check out the official Zombies 4 soundtrack on Disney Music's YouTube channel to see the first look at the new cast in their full choreography.