If you binged the Netflix reboot of The Baby-Sitters Club, you probably felt a weird sense of déjà vu. Or maybe you just felt confused. You’re watching Season 2, and suddenly, the California-cool, eco-warrior Dawn Schafer looks... different. It’s because she is.
Xochitl Gomez played Dawn in the first season. Then, Kyndra Sanchez took over for the second.
It wasn’t a scandal. No one got fired. There wasn't some dramatic onset feud involving the Stoneybrook girls. Honestly, it was just the "Marvel effect" hitting a middle-school dramedy. When a massive franchise comes knocking, you answer. For Xochitl, that knock was Doctor America Chavez in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Why the Dawn Schafer swap happened
Let's talk about Xochitl Gomez for a second. She was the breakout. In Season 1, her portrayal of Dawn was exactly what fans of the Ann M. Martin books wanted—assertive, politically active, and just the right amount of "West Coast" to clash with the traditional vibes of Connecticut. She had this specific energy. But then Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness happened.
Filming a Marvel movie isn't a weekend gig. It’s a grueling, months-long commitment involving massive sets in London and intense stunt training. The production schedules for The Baby-Sitters Club Season 2 and Doctor Strange overlapped perfectly in the worst way possible. Netflix and the showrunners had a choice: delay the whole show or find a new Dawn.
They chose the latter.
Kyndra Sanchez stepped into some pretty big Converse. If you’ve seen her work in Finding 'Ohana, you know she has that sun-drenched, optimistic vibe that Dawn requires. But recasting a core character in a show built on the chemistry of a specific friend group is risky. Fans get attached. They notice the slight change in vocal inflection or the way a new actress interacts with Mary Anne Spier.
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The transition from Xochitl Gomez to Kyndra Sanchez
Most shows try to ignore a recast. They just pretend the person has always looked that way and hope the audience doesn't have eyes. The Baby-Sitters Club was a bit more graceful. They didn't meta-comment on it, but the writing in Season 2 leaned heavily into Dawn’s transition of moving back and forth between California and Stoneybrook.
Kyndra didn't try to "do" an impression of Xochitl. That’s usually where recasts fail. Instead, she brought a slightly softer, perhaps more introspective side to the character. While Xochitl’s Dawn felt like a fiery activist ready to protest at a moment's notice, Kyndra’s version felt like the empathetic glue of the group.
Some fans were devastated. That’s normal. You spend ten episodes falling in love with a cast, and then 15% of the DNA changes. However, the creator, Rachel Shukert, was incredibly supportive. The cast even posted TikToks and Instagram photos welcoming Kyndra into the fold, making it clear there was no bad blood. It was just a young actress moving on to a literal superhero life.
Looking back at the 90s Dawn
We can't talk about who plays Dawn in The Baby-Sitters Club without mentioning the legacy. This character has been through several iterations.
In the 1990 TV series—which, if you haven't seen it, is a total time capsule of denim vests and side ponytails—Dawn was played by Melissa Chasse. Then came the 1995 movie. That film is a cult classic for 90s kids. Jennane Goossen played her there.
Every generation gets the Dawn they need.
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In the books, Dawn is described as having "hair the color of lemon oil" and being almost ethereally blonde. The Netflix series made a conscious, and honestly great, decision to diversify the cast. Making Dawn a Latina character added layers to her backstory that weren't in the original 80s paperbacks. It made her "outsider" status in the very white, very traditional town of Stoneybrook feel more grounded and real.
The impact of the recast on the show's legacy
Did the recast hurt the show? Probably not as much as the "Netflix Curse" did. The show was canceled after Season 2 despite having a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes. It’s one of those things that still makes TV critics angry.
The chemistry remained strong, though. Watching Kyndra Sanchez bond with Sophie Grace (Kristy), Momona Tamada (Claudia), Shay Rudolph (Stacey), and Malia Baker (Mary Anne) felt authentic. They are real-life friends. That’s something you can’t fake with a casting director.
Kyndra had to deal with the inevitable "You're not the original Dawn" comments on social media. People can be mean. But she handled it with a lot of grace for a teenager. She focused on the environmentalism aspect of the character—something she actually cares about in real life.
What the actresses are doing now
If you’re wondering where they are today, both Dawns are thriving.
Xochitl Gomez is a household name now. After Doctor Strange, she won Dancing with the Stars Season 32. She’s become a massive style icon and a representative for young Latina girls in Hollywood. She’s moved far beyond the babysitting business.
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Kyndra Sanchez has been busy too. She’s been doing voice work and staying active in the indie film scene. She recently appeared in the miniseries The Winchesters. She still carries the "Dawn" torch for the younger fans who discovered the show during its second-season run.
Final verdict on the Dawn Schafer mystery
Basically, the answer to who plays Dawn in The Baby-Sitters Club is "it depends on which episode you're watching."
If it’s Season 1, it’s Xochitl Gomez.
If it’s Season 2, it’s Kyndra Sanchez.
Both actresses brought something unique to the role of the BSC's alternate officer. Xochitl gave us the fire; Kyndra gave us the heart. While the show ended too soon, both portrayals helped modernize a character that has been a role model for "cool, independent girls" since the mid-1980s.
To really appreciate the evolution of the character, you should watch both seasons back-to-back. Don't look for the differences in their faces. Look for how both actresses managed to keep the spirit of Dawn Schafer—the girl who hates sugar, loves the planet, and always stands up for her friends—alive and well in the 2020s.
Check out the official Netflix behind-the-scenes features if you want to see the literal passing of the torch. It’s a rare example of a TV recast handled with genuine kindness and professional respect.
Next Steps for BSC Fans:
- Watch Season 1, Episode 4 ("Dawn and the Impossible Three") to see Xochitl's best work as the character.
- Skip to Season 2, Episode 2 ("Dawn and the Older Boy") to see how Kyndra takes over the mantle.
- Compare the Netflix version to the 1995 film (currently available on various streaming platforms) to see how much the character's "California" identity has shifted over thirty years.