Man, the early 2010s were a weird, experimental fever dream for Cartoon Network. They were desperately trying to figure out if live-action could actually work on a channel literally named after drawings. Enter Level Up. It was basically Scott Pilgrim meets World of Warcraft for the middle school set. It started as a movie in 2011 and then pivoted into a two-season series that honestly felt way ahead of the "gamer" aesthetic that dominates Twitch and YouTube today. But while the show eventually faded into the "oh yeah, I remember that" vault of TV history, the Cartoon Network Level Up cast didn't just disappear into the digital void of Daventry.
They actually stayed busy.
Most people forget that this show was a massive swing for the fences. It followed Wyatt, Dante, Lyle, and Angie—four teenagers who accidentally cracked open a portal between a video game called Maldark: Conqueror of All Worlds and the real world. If you grew up watching it, you probably spent half your time wishing you had a "Blast-a-Ton." Looking back, the chemistry of the main four was the only reason the show survived the transition from a high-budget TV movie to a weekly sitcom.
The Leader of the Pack: Gaelan Connell as Wyatt Black
Wyatt was the quintessential "pro-gamer" before that was a lucrative career path. He was the strategist, the guy obsessed with stats, and the one most likely to have a panic attack if a quest went sideways. Gaelan Connell brought a specific kind of neurotic energy to the role that made Wyatt likable instead of just annoying.
Before he landed on Cartoon Network, Connell was actually already a bit of an indie darling. He starred in Bandslam alongside Vanessa Hudgens, which is still a cult classic for anyone who likes power-pop and high school underdog stories. After the Cartoon Network Level Up cast went their separate ways in 2013, Gaelan didn't just stick to acting. He’s a guy who clearly understands the "behind the scenes" aspect of the industry.
He moved heavily into directing and producing. He’s the founder of a production company and has spent a lot of time working on commercials and digital content. It’s funny because his character Wyatt was always the one trying to control the narrative and lead the team, and in real life, Connell took that leadership role into the boardroom. He hasn't been in the tabloid headlines, which, in the world of former child stars, is usually a massive win. He's built a sustainable career on his own terms.
The Muscle and the Heart: Jessie T. Usher as Lyle Hugginson
If there is a "breakout star" among the Cartoon Network Level Up cast, it is undeniably Jessie T. Usher. On the show, he played Lyle, the popular football player who was secretly a massive nerd. It was a trope, sure, but Usher played it with so much charisma that you didn't mind.
He moved on fast.
You might know him now as A-Train from the absolute juggernaut that is The Boys on Amazon Prime. It’s a complete 180 from the Disney-adjacent vibes of Cartoon Network. Seeing Lyle Hugginson transition into a morally compromised, super-speed-addicted "hero" is one of the wildest career trajectories in modern TV.
But it wasn't just The Boys. Usher bagged the lead role in the Shaft sequel/reboot in 2019, playing the son of Samuel L. Jackson’s character. He also starred in Independence Day: Resurgence. He basically became the go-to guy for high-octane action and prestige streaming drama. When you watch him as A-Train, you can still see flashes of that physical comedy he mastered on Level Up, but he’s added a layer of grit that makes him one of the most recognizable faces in the industry right now.
The Wild Card: Connor Del Rio as Dante Ontero
Every 2010s show needed a "crazy guy," and Dante was it. He was the impulsive, chaotic force of the group. Connor Del Rio played him with an intensity that felt like he’d had about four shots of espresso before every take.
After Level Up, Del Rio didn’t stop working. He showed up in some pretty diverse projects, ranging from the horror-tinged Unfriended: Dark Web to voice acting. He has this unique look and energy that makes him perfect for "the friend who knows too much" or the "guy who’s seen a ghost."
Honestly, he's one of those actors you see in a guest spot on a major show like NCIS or The Goldbergs and you think, "I know that guy from somewhere." He’s stayed consistently active in the LA scene. He’s also leaned into the more artistic, indie side of the business, often popping up in short films and experimental projects that are a far cry from fighting CGI goblins on a Saturday morning.
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The Voice of Reason: Aimee Carrero as Angie Prietto
Angie was the only one in the group who actually had her life together, which made her the perfect foil for the boys' nonsense. Aimee Carrero was fantastic in the role, providing a grounded performance in a show that was often totally ridiculous.
Carrero’s career after the Cartoon Network Level Up cast split up has been arguably the most prolific in terms of sheer volume. She became a staple of the "New Hollywood" voice acting scene. If you have kids or an obsession with Netflix animation, you know her as the voice of Adora in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. She also voiced Princess Elena in Disney's Elena of Avalor.
She didn't just stay in the recording booth, though. She’s had major roles in Young & Hungry and recently appeared in the critically acclaimed film The Menu alongside Anya Taylor-Joy. She also had a recurring role in The Consultant. Carrero has managed to bridge the gap between "teen star" and "serious actress" with incredible grace. She’s someone who can do a broad comedy beat one minute and a tense, dramatic scene the next.
Lonny Ross and the Villainous Maldark
We can't talk about the cast without mentioning the adults who kept the show grounded—or made it weird. Lonny Ross played Max Ross, the eccentric creator of the game. Ross came from a 30 Rock background (he was Josh Girard), so he brought a high level of comedic timing to the show. He’s continued to be a "that guy" actor, appearing in countless shows like Portlandia and Arrested Development.
Then there was Maldark himself, played by George Faughnan. Maldark was the primary antagonist, a digital sorcerer trying to conquer Earth. Faughnan's performance was deliciously over-the-top, exactly what you need for a villain who is literally made of pixels.
Why the Show Matters Now
It’s easy to dismiss Level Up as a relic of a time when TV networks didn’t know what to do with the internet. But looking at the Cartoon Network Level Up cast, it’s clear the show had a "nose for talent."
At the time, the show was criticized by some Cartoon Network purists who hated the "live-action" direction. There was even a whole "Stop Live Action on Cartoon Network" movement online. But if you actually watch the show today, it’s remarkably charming. It captured that specific era of gaming—the transition from local LAN parties to massive online multiplayer worlds—right before smartphones changed everything.
The show was also surprisingly diverse without making a big deal out of it. It featured a cast that looked like real American suburbs. It wasn't forced; it was just four kids who liked games.
What You Should Do If You're Feeling Nostalgic
If you want to revisit the world of Daventry or see these actors before they were famous, you actually have a few options. It’s a bit of a treasure hunt, though.
- Check the Vaults: Level Up isn't always on the front page of Max (formerly HBO Max), but it rotates in and out. You can usually find the original movie and the series episodes for purchase on platforms like Amazon or Apple TV.
- Follow the Evolution: If you liked Aimee Carrero, go watch She-Ra. It’s some of the best animated storytelling of the last decade. If you want to see how much Jessie T. Usher has grown as an actor, start The Boys (but fair warning: it is not for kids).
- Look for the Guest Spots: Keep an eye out for Connor Del Rio and Gaelan Connell in smaller, independent projects. They are both active in the filmmaking community and often produce content that’s much more mature than their CN roots.
The legacy of the Cartoon Network Level Up cast is one of quiet success. They didn't fall into the traps of child stardom. They didn't burn out. They just... leveled up. They took a weird concept about video games coming to life and used it as a springboard into some of the biggest franchises in the world today.
Practical Next Steps for Fans
If you're looking to track the current work of the cast, the best way is to follow their verified social media or IMDb Pro pages for upcoming credits. Jessie T. Usher has several projects in post-production for 2026, and Aimee Carrero is increasingly involved in the stage acting scene in New York and LA. For those interested in the production side, Gaelan Connell's work with his production house offers a great look at how former actors transition into the business side of Hollywood.
The show might be over, but the players are still very much in the game.