Mike Flanagan’s latest spooky series is ready to freak you out: The Midnight Club is set to convene just in time for Halloween. But you don’t have to wait that long to meet the young members of the club, because the trailer for the new show has arrived to give you goosebumps.

Iman Benson stars as Ilonka, a high school senior on her way to Stanford University — until she’s diagnosed with terminal thyroid cancer and heads to Brightcliffe Manor instead of her dream college. At her new hospice home, she befriends a group of similarly ill teens who sneak into the library every night and tell each other scary stories. As you can see in the trailer, Brightcliffe has a mysterious history and a hell of a lot of secrets lurking in the shadows. Plus, the most terrifying version of The Toadies’ “Possum Kingdom” you’ve ever heard in your life.

The Cast and Crew of The Midnight Club Welcome You to BrightcliffeThe Midnight Club shows us that we're all just stories in the end.

In the ten-episode ’90s-set series, the group of newfound friends make a pact to search for signs of the supernatural in an attempt to save themselves from their impending fate. The Midnight Club is based on the works of Christopher Pike, including Witch, Gimme a Kiss, Road to Nowhere and The Wicked Heart — and, of course, The Midnight Club, which serves as the biggest inspiration.

The Midnight Club, which will be released Oct. 7, comes from Flanagan and Trevor Macy’s Intrepid Pictures (The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass), and Leah Fong. While some of its stars have appeared in Flanagan’s shows before, many are making their screen debuts in the series. To learn more about the show’s burgeoning stars, read on.

The Midnight Club Cast
 

Left: Iman Benson as Ilonka in The Midnight Club.

Iman Benson

Pronouns: She/her
Age: 22
Hometown: Atlanta
Follow her: Instagram and Twitter
Where you’ve seen her: Netflix’s #blackAF and Alexa & Katie
Incredibly smart and driven, Benson’s character Ilonka has her plan for the future, but that comes to a screeching halt when she receives her terminal diagnosis. Her determination to survive leads her to Brightcliffe, where she hopes past cases of miraculous recoveries will help her.

What would your personal ’90s theme song be? “Get Money” by The Notorious B.I.G.
What’s your favorite scary movie? Hereditary
What scary movie did you sneakily watch without your parents knowing? My parents were pretty cool about scary movies.
What’s the best part of being in the Flanaverse? Getting to watch Mike’s visions come into fruition.
What’s your favorite Mike Flanagan show? The Haunting of Hill House
If you could swap roles with one other character who would it be? Probably Spence, he not only says what’s on his mind but what ends up being on everyone else’s.
What scares you? Pigeons. Always pigeons.
Most recent song you danced to in front of your mirror? “Dog Food” by 42 Dugg
Favorite current fashion trend: Low-rise jeans, no doubt.
Favorite order-in meal: Sushi
Favorite meal to cook: Tacos for sure
Favorite snack food: Watermelon with tajin
Actor you’d want to star as you in your biopic: The Rock
If I weren’t an actor, I’d be a… makeup artist or maybe psychologist.
What was your audition like? It was a self-tape audition (as you do in the COVID era) and very emotional, to say the least. But I won’t say too much, you’ll have to tune in!
Best memory from set? I got to do prosthetics for the first time. I loved the creative process and watching everything come together.
Best advice to your younger self? Never ever wear a dress over jeans.

Igby Rigney

Follow him: Instagram
Where you’ve seen him: Midnight Mass
Rigney plays Kevin, a boy-next-door type with a charming smile. He’s an old soul who feels a cosmic connection with Ilonka. He is supportive of his family and his fellow patients, and sometimes has a tendency of putting his own needs last.

What would your personal ’90s theme song be? “I’m Too Sexy 2007” by Right Said Fred
What’s your favorite scary story and why? Right now, I would have to say The Fisherman by John Langan. I’m reading it for the second time now and still getting nightmares. It’s great!
What’s the best part of being in the Flanaverse? The community of actors and other beautiful creators he has curated, and I’ve had the pleasure of meeting.
If you could swap roles with one other character on a Netflix show who would it be? Morpheus, Lord of Dreams from The Sandman. What a cool mythical (or possibly not) being to have the chance to play.
What scares you? Spiders, snakes, doors closing too quickly and not being in time to grab my hat.
Last thing you binged? Fatburger. Two whole XXXLs. It was delicious! Other than that, the David vs. Goliath season of Survivor — I was rooting for Christian, and I’m still disappointed.
Most recent song you danced to in front of your mirror? “I’m Too Sexy 2007” by Right Said Fred. Obviously!
Favorite current fashion trend: Men in crop tops… if it’s not a thing yet, I’m manifesting it.
Favorite order-in meal: Right now, pot pie.
Favorite meal to cook: Breakfast. Can’t stand making lunch.
Favorite snack food: Bananas and peanut butter.
Dogs or cats? An impossible question. There are so many factors to consider. Neither right now, can’t spend as much time with them as they deserve.
Actor you’d want to star as you in your biopic: Leonardo DiCaprio
If I weren’t an actor, I’d be an… astrophysicist
What was your audition like? It was a six-month-long one. Very intense and thorough.
Best memory from set? The first time seeing the library was very special.
Best advice to your younger self? Make time for the work you want to do and the things you enjoy. Nobody else will.
Anything else you want to share? The Eiffel Tower grows in summer. Fun fact for ya!

Center: Ruth Codd as Anya in The Midnight Club. 

Ruth Codd

Pronouns: She/her
Age: 26
Hometown: Wexford, Ireland
Follow her: Instagram
Codd plays Anya, a nihilist and a rebel without a cause. She is a lower-leg amputee wheelchair user who immigrated from Ireland in her early teens. Ultimately, behind her tough and sarcastic exterior is a young woman who cares deeply for the ones around her, even though she doesn’t always show it.

What would your personal ’90s theme song be? “Basket Case” by Green Day
What's your favorite scary story and why? I don’t think Jacqueline Wilson books are meant to be scary, but I read every single one as a kid and they all traumatized me in a deeply unique way. Ever read The Bed and Breakfast Star? I thought it would be like The Suite Life of Zack & Cody but, boy, was the 10-year-old me wrong.
What scary movie did you sneakily watch without your parents knowing? The Grudge. I didn’t open my wardrobe for about two months afterwards.
What’s the best part of being in the Flanaverse? Getting to play such a well-written disabled character. A lot of the time, the little representation we do get in film/TV shows, disabled people are often conveyed as either bitter and angry or saints. Anya is so human. The emphasis isn’t on her disability, it’s on her character. As a disabled person, I felt seen. (Oh, and the free food on-set was also good.)
What’s your favorite Mike Flanagan show or movie? Oculus. Once I find out what storage unit that mirror is in, I’m stealing it.
If you could swap roles with one other character on a Netflix show who would it be? Moira Rose from Schitt’s Creek. Absolute icon. Hands down my favorite character in a TV show ever.
What scares you? Nothing, as I am a unit.
Last thing you binged? BoJack Horseman (emotionally, I’m still recovering)
Most recent song you danced to in front of your mirror?  “Duality” by Slipknot
Favorite current fashion trend: Dressing like you got your outfit in a lost and found bin.
Favorite order-in meal: Indian curry in any form.
Favorite meal to cook: I make a quality apple tart, my granny taught me (her pastry will never be replicated though, it was top tier)
Favorite snack food: Hear me out, Turkish delight
Dogs or cats: I have both and I love them equally (dogs).
If I weren’t an actor, I’d be… in prison, probably.
Best advice to your younger self? Lay off the box dye and tell people to get wrecked more.

William Chris Sumpter

Pronouns: He/him
Age: 20
Hometown: Manhattan, New York City
Follow him: Instagram and Twitter
After receiving his HIV diagnosis, William Chris Sumpter’s character Spencer is forced to come out to his conservative family — and then his parents kick him out of the house. Mark learns of Spencer’s situation through a friend and brings him to Brightcliffe. Even after all he’s gone through, Spencer is a vibrant member of the group and always the life of the party.

What would your personal ’90s theme song be? “Nikes” by Frank Ocean — but we’re pretending it was made in the ’90s.
What’s your favorite scary movie and why? Coraline and A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors
What scary movie did you sneakily watch without your parents knowing? Paranormal Activity — big regret.
What’s the best part of being in the Flanaverse? Mike Flanagan gifting you and your fellow cast members free socks.
What’s your favorite Mike Flanagan show? The Midnight Club, duh. (Also The Haunting of Hill House.)
If you could swap roles with one other character on a Netflix show who would it be? Hmm, probably absolutely anyone from Squid Game.
What scares you? The human mind.
Last thing you binged? Love Island
Most recent song you danced to in front of your mirror? “Best to You” by Blood Orange
Favorite current fashion trend: Ties!
Favorite order-in meal: Dumplings and lo mein
Favorite meal to cook: Captain Crunch chicken and baked ziti
Favorite snack food: Sunflower seeds
Dogs or cats? Both, why choose!
Character you are most similar to from The Midnight Club? Cheri. We just lie and look pretty. 
Actor you'd want to star as you in your biopic: Michael B. Jordan
If I weren't an actor, I'd be a… bank robber, but in a Point Break kind of way.
What was your audition like? Honestly, I was just trying to not show how bad I wanted it! Loved the script immediately, though, so it went quite smoothly.
Best memory from set? Stargazing with the rest of the cast listening to ’90s music.
Best advice to your younger self? Just keep swimming.

Left: Aya Furukawa as Natsuki in The Midnight Club.

Aya Furukawa

Pronouns: She/they
Age: 23
Hometown: Vancouver, British Columbia
Follow her: Instagram and Twitter
Where you’ve seen her: Netflix’s Brand New Cherry Flavor and The Baby-Sitters Club
An introspective and creative soul, Aya Furukawa’s character Natsuki is full of  vivid and intricate stories. Before coming to Brightcliffe, Natsuki was no stranger to hard times. She openly talks about her struggles with mental health — something that was very stigmatized at the time.

What would your personal ’90s theme song be? “I Just Threw Out the Love of My Dreams” by Weezer
What’s your favorite scary movie and why? My favorite horror movie has to be David Cronenberg’s The Fly. I have a huge appreciation for the intense body horror, and I love that the effects still hold up even today. It's also just a great romantic tragedy: “Have you ever heard of insect politics?”
What scary movie did you sneakily watch without your parents knowing? I was always allowed to watch scary movies! But I think my first horror movie I properly watched was The Ring. Still haven’t gotten to the original Japanese version though.
What’s the best part of being in the Flanaverse? The Flanalogues! It’s always such a treat when you get one.
What’s your favorite Mike Flanagan show? I think it has to be The Haunting of Hill House.
If you could swap roles with one other character on a Netflix show who would it be? Alyssa in End of the F***ing World! I just love her attitude and the general dry humor and style of the show.
What scares you? The dropping feeling you get on amusement park rides. It’s the worst feeling in the world. Could never go bungee jumping either.
Last thing you binged? A League of Their Own
Most recent song you danced to in front of your mirror? “Liquid Smooth” by Mitski
Favorite current fashion trend: Chunky shoes! Dying to get some platform Docs.
Favorite meal to cook: Japanese braised pork belly! Takes 3–4 hours to make but it's worth it.
Favorite snack food: Dried squid!
Dogs or cats: Cats, without a doubt.
Most used emoji: The white heart. Or the crying emoji... I do use the crying emoji a lot.
Character you are most similar to from The Midnight Club? Natsuki! I mean, so much of her is based on what I feel is a younger version of myself.
Actor you’d want to star as you in your biopic: Sandra Oh.
If I weren’t an actor, I’d be an… illustrator or working in the animation industry somehow. Drawing was my original focus before acting, and I had a huge love for cartoons. Always thought I’d grow up to become an artist... just not in front of a camera for TV!
What was your audition like? Strangely, it was the most comfortable audition I’ve ever done. I usually get extremely stressed out about auditions, fixating on every little thing, but I resonated so much with the character and the writing that it just felt natural. I didn’t care if I booked it or not, I just felt like I brought what I had to offer.
Best memory from set? When Sauriyan and Chris improvised an entire musical theater number. It was insane.
Best advice to your younger self? Use salicylic acid and a liquid exfoliator —it’ll change everything for your skin.

Annarah Cymone

Pronouns: She/her
Age: 22
Hometown: Statesville, North Carolina
Follow her: Instagram
Where you’ve seen her: Midnight Mass
Annarah Cymone’s character Sandra is deeply religious and uses her faith to cope with her diagnosis. Despite sometimes butting heads with the others, her faith never wavers — and she has her own unique ways of showing she does actually care about the group.

What would your personal ’90s theme song be? “If It Makes You Happy” by Sheryl Crow or “B***h” by Meredith Brooks 
What’s your favorite scary movie and why? Midsommar, because it’s a horror set in the daytime — and [because] Florence Pugh.
What scary movie did you sneakily watch without your parents knowing? None. I’m a scaredy cat.
What’s the best part of being in the Flanaverse? Seeing familiar faces at work.
What’s your favorite Mike Flanagan show? Midnight Mass… no, I’m not biased.
If you could swap roles with one other character on a Netflix show who would it be? Denver from Money Heist
Last thing you binged? Succession
Most recent song you danced to in front of your mirror? “Therefore I Am” by Billie Eilish 
Favorite current fashion trend? Not following any trend and dressing however feels good to you.
Favorite order-in meal: Sorbet… that counts as a meal.
Favorite meal to cook: N/A. I love tacos.
Favorite snack food: Peanuts and raisins. 
Dogs or cats? Dogs.
Most used emoji: The red heart. 
Actor you’d want to star as you in your biopic: Willem Dafoe 
If I weren’t an actor, I’d be a… farm girl.
Best memory from set? Every day when some lovely person would bring me hummus and chips.
Best advice to your younger self? I wouldn’t say anything. I wouldn’t wanna mess anything up.

Left: Sauriyan Sapkota as Amesh in The Midnight Club. 

Sauriyan Sapkota

Pronouns: He/him
Age: 21
Sauriyan Sapkota’s character Amesh is always at the ready with a joke to break the silence or to make people laugh. A video game nerd with a kind heart, he is forever looking for ways to help those around him, especially if they’ll help him with his bucket list in return. 

What’s your favorite scary movie and why? The Witch. I was uncomfortable the entire movie and I loved it.
What scary movie did you sneakily watch without your parents knowing? Hereditary
What’s the best part of being in the Flanaverse? The Flanafam! Some of the nicest, most supportive group of people I’ve ever met.
What’s your favorite Mike Flanagan show? Midnight Mass
If you could swap roles with one other character on a Netflix show who would it be? Not an exact answer, but anyone who gets to act alongside Tim Robinson in I Think You Should Leave.
What scares you? Fish. It’s a weird one, yes.
Last thing you binged? The Rehearsal 
Most recent song you danced to in front of your mirror? “Sh-Boom”
Favorite order-in meal: Sushi.
Favorite meal to cook: Gonna be honest, scrambled eggs.
Dogs or cats? Dogs.
Most used emoji: The laughing one.
If I weren’t an actor, I’d be a… wilderness guide in the middle of nowhere.
Best memory from set? Drinking shamrock shakes at 4 a.m.
Best advice to your younger self? Please never stop failing.

Left: Adia as Cheri in The Midnight Club.

Adia

Pronouns: She/her
The daughter of Hollywood hotshots, Adia’s character Cheri has had a life of privilege, comfort and isolation. Her diagnosis leads her busy parents to send her to Brightcliffe where she finds trouble bonding with the group over her hesitation to share any truths about herself or her family.

What would your personal ’90s theme song be? “Award Tour” by A Tribe Called Quest
What’s your favorite scary story and why? The Tailypo. If you read/listen to it, you’ll understand exactly why it’s terrifying.
What scary movie did you sneakily watch without your parents knowing? A James Bond movie. I know it’s not necessarily scary, but I definitely wasn’t supposed to be watching [those] at 7 years old and I was terrified.
What’s your favorite Mike Flanagan show? The Haunting of Hill House
If you could swap roles with one other character on a Netflix show who would it be? Sun Bak from Sense8
What scares you? Humans.
Last thing you binged? Selling the OC and I’m not ashamed.
Favorite order-in meal: Ethiopian.
Favorite meal to cook: Chicken Yassa.
Favorite snack food: Seaweed or biltong.
Dogs or cats? Can I say both? I’m obsessed with animals.
If I weren’t an actor, I’d be a... midwife. And who’s to say I can’t be? Check back with me in like 10 years.
Best memory from set? There’s a scene where we all get high, and I guess I played high really well because no one believed I was sober. I can’t work while I’m impaired, but no one believed a word I said. I still crack up thinking about how Adam came over to me at one point and was like, “It’s ok if you’re high.”
Best advice to your younger self? Take a few deep breaths.