Netflix's new musical show Julie and the Phantoms is pretty much High School Musical but with ghosts. (Both were directed and produced by Kenny Ortega, so that tracks.) And since Julie and the Phantoms is a musical, the cast is made up of talented singers, musicians, or dancers in their own right. Even some of the characters who don't get big singing scenes in the first season have the off screen talent to do so — you know, if the show gets picked up for a second season.
The plot of the series, which is based on the Brazilian show Julie e os Fantasmas, is pretty out there. High school student Julie (Madison Reyes) accidentally summons the ghosts of three teenage boys from the '90s. They were in the rock band Sunset Curve, and they died before they got to really make it in the industry. By teaming up with Julie, the ghosts finally get their chance at the big time — because, for some reason, everyone can see them when they play music.
Fans can see all of the show's stars play music IRL, too, with most of the cast's Instagrams featuring videos of their various vocal and instrumental talents.
Madison Reyes, Who Plays Julie
The Netflix series follows Julie, who recently lost her mother and her passion for music. But when she stumbles upon the ghosts of the band who used to play in her garage, she finds her voice again.
Reyes is also finding her voice, with this show being her first acting project and her big chance to show the world what she's got. As you can see in this music video she posted for one of the series' original songs — she's got what it takes.
Charlie Gillespie, Who Plays Luke
As the lead singer and songwriter for the '90s band Sunset Curve, it was really only a matter of time before his character and Julie's connected on a level beyond the music. They have a ton in common, minus the whole him being a ghost thing.
This is really the first time Gillespie's gotten to show off his vocals in a professional acting role, although he frequently posts videos of himself singing and playing guitar on Instagram.
Owen Joyner, Who Plays Alex
The Sunset Curve drummer is a little more on the quiet side, but he'll throw his vocals onto a track every now and then.
In real life, the Nickelodeon star (Knight Squad, 100 Things to Do Before High School) had his own Julie moment of rediscovering music when he was cast on the show. Landing the role of Alex encouraged him to start playing the drums again. He recently posted an Instagram video of his progress on the instrument, and he's just as talented as the series makes him out to be.
Jeremy Shada, Who Plays Reggie
Reggie is the band's bass player and is also the class clown of the group.
You probably already know Shada's voice from Adventure Time (he voiced Finn) and he's gotten his fair share of singing time on the show. He also performed in some music videos for Cartoon Network's Incredible Crew like the silly rap "Running Errands with My Mom." And during quarantine, he started learning how to play guitar.
Jadah Marie, Who Plays Flynn
Julie's BFF Flynn does what I always wish people would do in scenarios like this: She just goes ahead and believes her friend when she says she's in a ghost band.
The actress behind the role, Jadah Marie, is a Disney Channel star. She recently appeared in Descendants 3 and also in this music video for the DCOM franchise.
Savannah Lee May, Who Plays Carrie
It's a tale as old as time: Carrie and Julie were once best friends but now they're bitter enemies. Carrie is the lead singer and dancer of her band Dirty Candy, and she doesn't like being upstaged by Julie and the Phantoms.
Although May does lend her vocals to her girl band in the show, it's her dance skills that she seems most proud of IRL. Her Instagram is filled with videos of her practicing her sweet moves.
Cheyenne Jackson, Who Plays Caleb Covington
Caleb was a magician in a former life, but once he died, he came back as the lead singer in his own ghost band that plays every night at the exclusive Hollywood Ghost Club.
Jackson's singing talent is well known in the industry. He's been on Broadway, in Glee, and on 30 Rock as Danny with the amazing voice of which Jenna (Jane Krakowski) is jealous.
Booboo Stewart, Who Plays Willie
Alex meets ghost skateboarder Willie, and the two grow close as they realize they're not alone in this ghost world.
Stewart doesn't get to show off his singing chops in the show, but he has them IRL — so maybe it's going to be more of a season 2 thing. Stewart's in a group called That Band Honey with his friend Davin Michael.
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