Jeremy Ray Taylor, who gained notice for playing Ben Hanscom in ‘It: Chapter One’, will remain in the realm of horror (only a lot more toned down) by heading up the cast of Nickelodeon’s reboot of ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark’?’. Taylor portrays Graham, and is part of a Midnight Society that is also comprised of Sam Ashe Arnold (Gavin), Miya Cech (Akiko), Tamara Smart (Louise), and Lyliana Wray (Rachel). This three-part miniseries will premier on Nick in October, just in time for Halloween, and will tell the tale of ‘The Carnival of Doom’. Rafael Casal portrays the sinister ringmaster Mr. Tophat. Dean Israelite (‘Power Rangers’) is directing, with a script by BenDavid Grabinski (‘Skiptrace’). Deviating from the format of the original show, the Midnight Society find themselves as part of the story as it comes to life around them.
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‘Are You Afraid of the Dark?’ was a Canadian series which aired on Nickelodeon from 1992-96 and then 1999-2000, during its Saturday night “Snick” programming block. Created by D.J. MacHale and Ned Kandel, the anthology centered on the Midnight Society, a group of teens who gathered by a campfire to tell scary stories, which were then brought to life for the viewer. Among the up-and-coming actors to appear on the show, include Aaron Ashmore, Jay Baruchel, Neve Campbell, Hayden Christensen, Elisha Cuthbert, Will Friedle, Ryan Gosling, Melissa Joan Hart, Tyler Labine, Tamera Mowry, Tia Mowry, Gregory Smith, Jewel Staite, Eddie K. Thomas, and Emily VanCamp.
A film version of ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark?’ was also announced, coming from Paramount Players, but it has been removed from its planned October release, so it is unknown when or if it might appear.
In addition to ‘It: Chapter One’, and the upcoming sequel ‘It: Chapter Two’, Taylor also starred in ‘Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween’. Arnold starred as Zed Novak on Netflix’s tween series ‘Best. Worst. Weekend. Ever’, and in the Lifetime original movie ‘My Mother’s Killer Boyfriend’.
Cech was recently seen in two original Netflix movies, ‘Always Be My Maybe’, playing Ali Wong’s character Sasha as a teen, and in a larger role as Zhenzhen in McG’s alien invasion flick ‘Rim of the World’. She also has a recurring role as Marigold on ABC’s ‘American Housewife’, and she appeared in last year’s YA movie ‘The Darkest Minds’. Smart stars on the HBO series ‘The Worst Witch’, carried outside the US on Netflix, and will be seen in Disney’s upcoming ‘Artemis Fowl’. Wray appears as Young Susan in Amazon’s ‘Strange Angel’ and has a role in the upcoming ‘Top Gun: Maverick’.
‘Are You Afraid of the Dark?’ will be comprised of three hour-long episodes and will air in October, but the specific date wasn’t announced.
Source: Deadline
