Disney is actually doing it. They’re heading back to Seabrook, but honestly, things look a little different this time around. If you’ve been following the franchise since 2018, you know the drill: Milo Manheim and Meg Donnelly are the heart and soul of this thing. But as we look at the Zombies 4 cast ages, it becomes pretty clear that the "high school" vibe is getting harder to pull off with the original stars.
Milo is in his early 20s now. Meg is too.
It’s that classic Disney Channel dilemma where the actors grow up way faster than the characters they play. Production for Zombies 4: Dawn of the Vampires (which is the working title everyone is buzzing about) kicked off in New Zealand in early 2024. This isn’t just a quick sequel. It’s a massive expansion of the lore that brings in a whole new crop of supernatural beings—specifically vampires and sun-hunters. Because of that, the age gap between the "legacy" cast and the new recruits is actually a pretty big deal for the story’s dynamic.
The Veterans: How Old Are Milo and Meg Now?
Let’s talk about the leads. Milo Manheim was born on March 6, 2001. When the first movie dropped, he was a teenager. Now? He’s 24. He’s spent a huge chunk of his adult life in green hair and zombie makeup. It's wild to think about. Meg Donnelly, born July 25, 2000, is 25.
They are effectively the "elders" on set.
In the story, Zed and Addison are supposed to be navigating that weird transition into young adulthood, but the actors are firmly settled into it. This age shift matters because Zombies 4 focuses on a road trip. They’re leaving the safety of Seabrook to find a new home for monsters and humans alike. When you have actors in their mid-20s, the stakes feel a bit more "real-world" than just winning a cheer competition or a football game.
Why the Age Gap Works for the Sequel
Usually, when a cast gets this much older than their characters, it feels cringey. You know the vibe—the "30-year-old high schooler" trope from 90s teen dramas. But Disney is smart. They’re leaning into the maturity.
Zed and Addison aren't just kids anymore. They’re leaders. By keeping the Zombies 4 cast ages diverse, the production can appeal to the original fans who are now in college, while the newer, younger cast members pull in the current Disney Channel demographic. It’s a balancing act.
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Meeting the New Blood: Vampires and Beyond
The casting office was busy for this one. Since the plot involves a search for a mythical "Sunstone," we need new faces. This is where the younger end of the spectrum comes in.
Freya Skye and Malachi Barton are the big additions here.
Freya, who is playing a character named Nova, is a massive talent from the UK (you might remember her from Junior Eurovision). She was born in 2009. That makes her around 15 or 16 during filming. That’s a nearly ten-year age gap between her and Meg Donnelly. It creates a natural mentor-student energy on screen that the franchise hasn't really explored deeply before.
Then you’ve got Malachi Barton. He’s playing Victor. Malachi is a Disney vet from Villains of Valley View. He was born in 2007, making him roughly 18. He’s right at that sweet spot where he can play a peer to the younger characters while still holding his own against the older leads.
- Milo Manheim (Zed): 24
- Meg Donnelly (Addison): 25
- Chandler Kinney (Willa): 25 (Born August 3, 2000)
- Kylee Russell (Eliza): 29 (Born October 8, 1996)
- Malachi Barton (Victor): 18
- Freya Skye (Nova): 15-16
Wait, look at Kylee Russell. She’s actually the oldest of the main "monster" group. Born in 1996, she’s pushing 30. It’s a testament to the makeup department and her own energy that she still fits perfectly into the aesthetic. She’s been a staple since day one, and honestly, the movies wouldn’t feel the same without Eliza’s tech-savvy personality.
The Production Reality in New Zealand
Filming in New Zealand changed the vibe too. When you move a production that far, the cast spends all their time together. It’s not like filming in a studio in LA where everyone goes home to their separate lives.
The age differences fade away when you're stuck in a hotel or on a remote set for months.
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I’ve seen some behind-the-scenes clips where Milo is basically acting like a big brother to Malachi and Freya. That’s the "expert" take here: the chemistry in Zombies 4 is going to feel different because the cast isn't just a group of peers anymore. It’s a hierarchy. The older actors are now executive producers (both Milo and Meg took on EP roles for this film). That shift in power—from just being actors to being the bosses—is a huge milestone.
Who Else is Coming Back?
It’s not just the core four. We’re seeing returns from:
- Donnelly Rhodes: (Wait, no, that’s a different actor—let's stick to the facts).
- Chandler Kinney: As Willa, the werewolf leader. She’s 25 and has become a fan favorite for her intensity.
- Carla Jeffery: As Bree. She’s also in that mid-20s bracket.
The "human" side of Seabrook is getting a bit less screen time this time around because of the road trip plot, which is probably a good move. It lets the movie focus on the CGI-heavy monster elements and the new environments.
Addressing the "Reboot" Rumors
There was a lot of talk online about whether Zombies 4 would be a total reboot with a younger cast.
It’s not.
But it is a passing of the torch. By introducing Nova and Victor at their current ages, Disney is setting the stage for a Zombies 5 or a spin-off series where Milo and Meg can finally "retire" from the franchise. You can’t play a zombie forever. Eventually, the makeup can't hide the fact that you're a grown man.
The Zombies 4 cast ages suggest this is the bridge movie. It’s the link between the original trilogy and whatever the "Zombiesverse" becomes next.
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Does the Age Difference Affect the Music?
Absolutely. The music in the first movie was very "kid-pop." By the third movie, it had shifted into more electronic and R&B influences. With a cast that is primarily in their 20s, expect the choreography to be more complex.
Milo is a high-level dancer. Meg has a legit pop career.
When you have 25-year-olds who have been training for years, you can do stunts and routines that a 14-year-old cast just can't handle. The physical maturity of the cast allows the "Dawn of the Vampires" sequences to be more athletic and maybe a bit more "intense" (well, as intense as Disney gets).
The "Sun-Hunters" Mystery
We also have new characters like Badra and Ericka. These roles are filled by actors who fit the "young adult" mold, keeping the cast looking cohesive even with the age gaps. The casting of Lisa Chappell and Jonno Roberts adds some actual adult weight to the film—they play the more "mature" figures that the younger monsters have to deal with.
What You Should Watch Next
If you’re obsessed with the ages and birthdays of the cast, the best thing to do is follow their social media during the press tour. Milo and Meg are notoriously good at sharing "day in the life" content that shows the actual dynamic between the older and younger actors.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans:
- Track the Birthdays: If you're making fan art or edits, remember that the "senior" cast is now 24-29, while the "new recruits" are 15-18.
- Watch the EP Credits: Look for Milo and Meg’s names in the opening credits. It changes how you view their performances when you realize they helped make the creative decisions.
- Expect a Tone Shift: Don't go in expecting Zombies 1. The age of the cast dictates a slightly more mature (though still family-friendly) adventure.
- Monitor the New Zealand Influence: Keep an eye out for local Kiwi talent in the background roles; Disney hired a lot of local performers for the vampire covens.
The franchise has grown up. The Zombies 4 cast ages prove that while the hair might stay green, the people under the wigs are moving into a whole new chapter of their careers. It's going to be interesting to see if the audience grows up with them.