The long-anticipated sequel to I Know What You Did Last Summer doesn’t just rely on nostalgia; it builds a new generation of fear around a carefully chosen cast. Blending franchise veterans with rising stars and unexpected newcomers, the film refreshes the classic slasher formula while honoring its roots. From returning survivors to modern influencers and complicated outsiders, these performances are what truly make the sequel unmissable. Here’s a countdown of the 10 stars who bring Southport back to life, and back into danger.
10. Billy Campbell
Billy Campbell adds weight and credibility to the sequel thanks to a career that spans decades. Early television fans remember him from Dynasty and Once and Again, the latter earning him a Golden Globe nomination for his emotionally grounded performance as Rick Sammler. Over the years, Campbell has become known for playing authoritative, layered figures who feel believable even in heightened drama.
In the new film, Campbell portrays Southport’s chief of police, a man deeply embedded in the town’s political and social structure. He’s also the father of Teddy, one of the young adults whose impulsive choices trigger the story’s deadly chain reaction. Campbell’s performance grounds the chaos, adding tension through quiet authority and moral conflict.
Though famously private off-screen, Campbell has shared that he met his wife during Once and Again and is now a father. Alongside this sequel, he’s set to appear in the thriller Trust, continuing his run of intense, character-driven work.
9. Gabbriette Bechtel
While I Know What You Did Last Summer marks Gabbriette Bechtel’s feature film debut, she arrives with plenty of cultural clout. As the frontwoman of punk band Nasty Cherry, she’s already carved out a distinctive identity in music, fashion, and pop culture, collaborating with Charli XCX and fronting campaigns for major brands.
In the sequel, Bechtel plays a wannabe influencer who hosts a true-crime podcast centered on murder, an idea that feels perfectly tuned to the modern horror landscape. Her character injects humor, irony, and Gen Z energy into the film, poking fun at obsession culture while still becoming part of the terror.
Her personal life has also drawn attention, particularly her engagement to Matty Healy of The 1975. With her striking presence and fearless attitude, Bechtel stands out as one of the sequel’s boldest casting choices.
8. Austin Nichols
Austin Nichols brings familiarity to genre fans with credits ranging from One Tree Hill to The Walking Dead. His career has moved fluidly between heartfelt drama and high-stakes storytelling, making him a natural fit for a franchise built on emotional tension.
In the sequel, Nichols plays a supporting character closely tied to the younger group, helping connect Southport’s past with its present. His role subtly reinforces the idea that this town never truly escaped its history, no matter how much time has passed.
Outside the film, Nichols has stayed busy with upcoming projects like Netflix’s The Six Triple Eight. Known for keeping his performances grounded, he adds a steady presence to an increasingly volatile ensemble.
7. Freddie Prinze Jr.
Few returns hit harder than Freddie Prinze Jr.’s Ray Bronson. One of the original survivors from the 1997 film, Ray helped define the era’s teen horror boom, alongside Prinze Jr.’s other iconic roles in She’s All That and Scooby-Doo.
Decades later, Ray is no longer the carefree fisherman audiences remember. Now a bar owner and Julie’s ex-husband, he’s shaped by unresolved trauma and a deep distrust of Southport’s desire to move on. Prinze Jr. gives Ray a haunted, worn-down edge, making his role essential rather than nostalgic window dressing.
Married to longtime partner Sarah Michelle Gellar, Prinze Jr. has spoken openly about how Ray’s psychological scars influence his decisions in the sequel, culminating in one of the film’s most surprising turns.
6. Jennifer Love Hewitt
Jennifer Love Hewitt’s return as Julie James is the emotional backbone of the sequel. As the franchise’s original final girl, Hewitt became a horror icon in the late ’90s before expanding her career through Party of Five, Criminal Minds, The Client List, and 9-1-1.
This time around, Julie is a college professor specializing in trauma and PTSD, a fitting evolution for someone who survived unimaginable violence. Hewitt plays Julie with quiet strength and lingering vulnerability, showing how survival doesn’t erase pain.
Now married with three children, Hewitt has described her return as stepping back into Julie’s skin with a new perspective, calling herself the “ghost of ’90s past.” For longtime fans, her presence alone makes the sequel essential viewing.
5. Tyriq Withers
Tyriq Withers brings raw intensity to Teddy, a character whose impulsive decision on Reaper’s Road ignites the film’s central tragedy. A former Florida State wide receiver, Withers transitioned into acting with roles in Atlanta, Tell Me Lies, and The Game.
Teddy’s journey is defined by guilt, addiction, and the crushing expectations placed on him as the police chief’s son. Withers plays him with emotional honesty, making Teddy both frustrating and deeply human.
With multiple projects ahead—including Goat and Houston- Withers is clearly on the rise, and this role may be his breakout moment.
4. Jonah Hauer-King
Jonah Hauer-King rose to global recognition as Prince Eric in Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid, but his work here proves he’s more than a romantic lead. Educated at Cambridge, Hauer-King brings intelligence and restraint to every role.
He plays Milo, Ava’s boyfriend and a key part of the friend group whose loyalty is constantly tested. Milo’s emotional conflict adds tension beneath the slasher elements, reminding viewers that fear isn’t always external.
With upcoming projects like The Threesome, Hauer-King continues to show an impressive range across genres.
3. Sarah Pidgeon
Sarah Pidgeon delivers one of the film’s most layered performances as Stevie, the group’s estranged former friend. Known for The Wilds and Tiny Beautiful Things, Pidgeon’s theater background shines through in her emotionally precise work.
Stevie is shaped by family scandal, betrayal, and resentment, making her both vulnerable and dangerous. Her alliance with Ray and thirst for justice push the film into darker territory.
Recently earning a Tony nomination for Stereophonic, Pidgeon proves she’s as compelling on screen as she is on stage.
2. Chase Sui Wonders
Chase Sui Wonders anchors the sequel as Ava, the story’s emotional core. A Harvard alum, Wonders has steadily built her career through projects like Betty, Generation, and her breakout role in Bodies Bodies Bodies.
Ava’s guilt and determination fuel the narrative as she digs deeper into the truth behind Southport’s newest nightmare.
Wonders balances empathy and resolve, making Ava feel like a worthy successor to the franchise’s original survivors. Her performance confirms she’s one of horror’s most exciting modern leads.
1. Madelyn Cline
At the top of the list is Madelyn Cline, whose star power and emotional range make her the sequel’s standout. Best known for Outer Banks and Glass Onion, Cline brings charisma and surprising depth to Danica, the reigning Croaker Queen. What starts as a spoiled socialite arc slowly transforms into something far more affecting.
Danica’s growth and her interactions with legacy characters add heart to the horror, making her one of the film’s most memorable figures. With this role, Cline cements herself as a leading force in the next era of genre storytelling.
By blending familiar faces with fresh talent, I Know What You Did Last Summer successfully reinvents itself for a new generation. Each cast member contributes something essential, whether it’s nostalgia, emotional depth, or modern edge, proving that some secrets refuse to stay buried, no matter how much time has passed.