Where Is The Midnight Society Now? Shocking New Careers And 2025 Projects Of The 'Are You Afraid Of The Dark?' Cast
Step into the campfire light, if you dare. For a generation of '90s kids, the weekly ritual of gathering with The Midnight Society to hear a terrifying tale was a staple of Saturday night television. *Are You Afraid of the Dark?* (AyaotD) was more than just a spooky show; it launched the careers of several young actors, some of whom went on to become major Hollywood stars, while others found success in surprising new fields. In the years since the original series ended—and following the recent, successful revival seasons—the cast has scattered across the entertainment and professional worlds. The current date is December 22, 2025, and we've tracked down the most recent, up-to-the-minute details on where the original storytellers and the new generation of the Midnight Society are now, including major 2025 film and TV roles.
The enduring legacy of the show is a testament to its creator, D. J. MacHale, and the iconic "Midnight Dust" that sealed every story. From Canadian meteorology to Netflix's biggest fantasy series, prepare for a deep dive into the lives and careers of the stars who brought the chills.
The Original Midnight Society (1990s) Cast: Biography and Current Status
The core group that gathered around the campfire in the woods for the first five seasons (1992–1996) defined the show. Their careers have taken the most unexpected turns, blending Hollywood success with entirely new professions.
- Ross Hull (Gary): The self-proclaimed, often nervous, leader of the first generation Midnight Society. Hull was known for his love of magic and his memorable stories, which often involved haunted objects and cursed items.
- Raine Pare-Coull (Betty Ann): Known for her quirky, eccentric personality and her preference for surreal, bizarre, and psychological horror stories, often featuring clowns or strange creatures.
- Jodie Resther (Kiki): The sassy, outspoken, and often skeptical member, Kiki was the group's resident "badass." Her stories were typically centered on urban legends and technology gone wrong.
- Jason Alisharan (Frank Moore): The rebellious, punk-rock teenager who often told the most traditional, jump-scare horror stories, frequently involving ghosts and haunted houses. Frank's character was part of the original core group.
- Daniel DeSanto (Tucker): Gary's younger brother, who eventually took over as the leader of the Midnight Society in the later seasons (1999–2000), bridging the gap between the original and second-generation casts.
- JoAnna Garcia Swisher (Samantha "Sam"): A later addition to the original group, Sam was known for her romantic and empathetic nature, and her stories often had a focus on emotional stakes and relationships.
- Notable Guest Star: Ryan Gosling: Though not a member of the Midnight Society, the future two-time Academy Award nominee appeared in the Season 5 episode "The Tale of Station 109.9."
Ross Hull (Gary): From Campfire Leader to Canadian Meteorologist
Of all the original cast members, Ross Hull's career path is perhaps the most surprising and unique. After his time as Gary, Hull transitioned away from acting and pursued a career in meteorology and journalism. He is now a respected meteorologist for Global News, a major Canadian news network.
His work is highly regarded; he has been recognized not just for his weather forecasting but also for his academic contributions. Hull has been a consistent award winner, receiving the UCLA Anderson Teacher of the Year award multiple times between 2017 and 2024. His current work is a testament to a successful pivot from childhood stardom to a serious, professional career.
JoAnna Garcia Swisher (Sam): The Queen of Netflix's Serenity
JoAnna Garcia Swisher, who played Sam, has had one of the most visible post-*AyaotD* careers. She has starred in numerous hit television shows, including *Reba*, *Privileged*, and *Once Upon a Time*. Her career is currently soaring as a leading lady on Netflix.
Swisher plays Maddie Townsend in the massively popular Netflix series *Sweet Magnolias*. Fans are eagerly anticipating the next chapter, as Season 4 is scheduled to premiere in February 2025. Furthermore, updates from July 2025 confirm that planning and early filming are already underway for Season 5, solidifying her status as a major streaming star for the foreseeable future.
The Enduring Talent: DeSanto, Resther, and Alisharan
The remaining core members of the original Midnight Society have also carved out fascinating careers:
- Daniel DeSanto (Tucker): DeSanto has successfully transitioned into a prolific voice actor. Fans of animated series will recognize his voice in recent projects, including the 2024 revival of the spy cartoon *Totally Spies!*, where he voices Ricky Mathis in Season 7. He also had a role in the 2024 project *Beyond Black Beauty*. DeSanto’s connection to the show's legacy was cemented when he returned as an adult Tucker in the 2019 revival series.
- Jodie Resther (Kiki): Resther continues her career as a Canadian actress and singer. She is known for her dual-threat talent, balancing her acting roles with her work as an R&B singer. While her focus remains on the arts, she has maintained a lower profile than some of her former castmates.
- Jason Alisharan (Frank): Alisharan is no longer in front of the camera but has found significant success behind the scenes as a producer. He has been involved in film and television production and was featured in interviews as recently as December 2024 discussing his work.
- Raine Pare-Coull (Betty Ann): Pare-Coull appears to have largely stepped away from the public eye and acting. While she remains an iconic figure to fans, her post-show life has been notably private, with no major current acting or public projects listed for 2024/2025.
The New Generation: The Are You Afraid of the Dark? Revival Cast and Their 2025 Blockbusters
The *Are You Afraid of the Dark?* revival, which launched as a limited series in 2019 and continued with new seasons like *Curse of the Shadows* and *Ghost Island* (2022), introduced a new, talented group of young actors to The Midnight Society. Their careers are currently on fire, with major roles in some of the biggest upcoming projects in Hollywood.
Miya Cech (Akiko Yamato): The New Toph Beifong
One of the most exciting recent updates belongs to Miya Cech, who played Akiko Yamato in the 2019 revival. Cech has landed a massive, highly-anticipated role in a major Netflix franchise. She has been officially cast as the iconic earthbender Toph Beifong in Season 2 of the live-action series *Avatar: The Last Airbender*.
This news, announced during Geeked Week 2024, places Cech at the center of one of the most-watched shows on the planet, guaranteeing her a huge platform in 2025 and beyond. Her casting is a huge win for the *AyaotD* legacy, showing the new cast is just as capable of mainstream success as the original stars like Ryan Gosling.
Jeremy Ray Taylor (Graham): From Stephen King to 2025 Thrillers
Jeremy Ray Taylor, who played Graham in the 2019 revival, was already a recognizable face to horror fans, having starred as the young Ben Hanscom in the film adaptations of Stephen King's *It* and *It Chapter Two*. His career shows no signs of slowing down, with multiple projects slated for 2025.
Taylor is set to star in the upcoming thriller *London Calling*, which is scheduled for release in 2024, and has another anticipated film, *This Too Shall Pass*, on the slate for 2025. His continued focus on the horror and thriller genres keeps him firmly in the realm of spooky storytelling, much to the delight of his fanbase.
Lyliana Wray and Other Revival Stars
Lyliana Wray, who played Rachel Carpenter, the leader of the 2019 Midnight Society, has also seen major film success. She was featured in the blockbuster hit *Top Gun: Maverick* (2022), a significant role that showcased her talent on a massive scale. While her next major project for 2025 is still under wraps, her previous high-profile work ensures she is an actress to watch.
Other notable members of the revival casts include Sam Ashe Arnold (Gavin Coscarelli) and Tamara Smart (Betty Ann in the 2019 series). Furthermore, Arjun Athalye, who appeared in the *Ghost Island* season (2022), has kept the Nickelodeon horror tradition alive by joining the cast of the 2023 *Goosebumps* series for its second season, further strengthening the connection between the *AyaotD* universe and modern youth horror.
The Topical Authority of 'Are You Afraid of the Dark?'
The enduring appeal of *Are You Afraid of the Dark?* lies in its ability to reinvent itself while maintaining its core concept: a group of kids telling scary stories. The show is a cornerstone of '90s nostalgia, often mentioned alongside other classic Nickelodeon shows and '90s horror anthologies. The success of the recent revival proves that the concept of "The Midnight Society" is timeless, continually drawing in new viewers while satisfying the curiosity of older fans.
The diverse career paths of the cast—from the entertainment industry (JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Miya Cech) to highly specialized professions (Ross Hull's meteorology)—provide a unique topical authority to the show's legacy. It highlights that the show was not just a stepping stone for future actors but a formative experience for young professionals across various fields. The fact that the cast members are still making headlines with major 2025 projects like *Sweet Magnolias* Season 4 and *Avatar: The Last Airbender* Season 2 ensures that the conversation around the *Are You Afraid of the Dark?* cast remains fresh, relevant, and highly searchable for years to come.
Submitted for the approval of The Midnight Society, we call this article: "The Tale of Their Current Careers."
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