Julie and the Phantoms Cast: Who Sings and Season 2 News

It’s rare that a canceled Netflix series still sparks heated conversation years later, but Julie and the Phantoms has done exactly that. The show’s cast of relative unknowns became an actual band under legendary director Kenny Ortega, performing original songs live on camera.

Episodes: 9 ·
Original release: September 10, 2020 ·
Network: Netflix ·
Main cast members: 7 ·
Creators: Dan Cross & David Hoge ·
Original songs: 10+

Eight key facts about the series, from its Brazilian origins to its current status, are summarized below.

Will there ever be a season 2 of Julie and the Phantoms?

As of early 2025, no official renewal has been announced. Netflix canceled the show after one season in December 2021, but the cast, creator Kenny Ortega, and a passionate fan community have kept the hope alive.

What is the current status of season 2?

• Netflix canceled the show after one season in December 2021 (Wikipedia)
• Fan campaigns including #SaveJulieAndThePhantoms continue to push for a revival (Save Julie and the Phantoms fan site)
• Kenny Ortega has publicly expressed interest in a continuation, though no official production is underway
• No verified 2025 or 2026 cast statement confirms production of a second season

Is Disney or Netflix producing season 2?

Neither Netflix nor Disney has announced a second season. The show’s original network, Netflix, ended its involvement in December 2021. Rumors of Disney picking up the series have circulated on social media, but no credible source confirms this.

Why hasn’t Netflix renewed the show?

Netflix’s cancellation decision likely came down to standard subscriber-acquisition metrics. Despite strong reviews and a passionate fan base, the series reportedly did not generate enough new subscribers to justify a second season. The pandemic may have also affected production and marketing visibility during its 2020 release.

Why did Julie and the Phantoms get canceled?

The cancellation surprised many: the show had strong reviews, a growing fan base, and a built-in audience from its Brazilian predecessor. But Netflix’s renewal formula doesn’t run on sentiment.

What factors led to the cancellation?

• Netflix canceled after one season citing standard metrics, including new subscriber acquisition rate (Wikipedia)
• The show had a passionate fan base but did not generate enough new subscribers to justify renewal
• Pandemic may have impacted production, marketing, and word-of-mouth momentum during its 2020 release
• Netflix has a pattern of canceling musical series after one season, including similar titles

Was it due to low viewership?

Exact viewership numbers haven’t been publicly released by Netflix. However, the platform’s standard cancellation pattern for shows that don’t drive subscriber growth suggests the audience, while vocal, was not large enough by Netflix’s internal metrics.

The implication: Madison Reyes’s vocal talent didn’t outweigh subscriber metrics — a reminder that artistic ambition and commercial viability often diverge on streaming platforms.

Is Julie and the Phantoms a real band in real life?

Yes — in a true behind-the-scenes story, Kenny Ortega insisted the cast learn to play instruments and sing live rather than miming to pre-recorded tracks.

How did Kenny Ortega create a real band for the show?

• The actors underwent months of training to play instruments and sing for their roles (Wikipedia)
• They performed live as a band during filming, with no lip-syncing on main vocal tracks
• Songs are original compositions performed by the cast, not by session musicians
• Kenny Ortega’s background in High School Musical and Newsies informed his approach to live musical performance

Do the actors actually play instruments?

• Charlie Gillespie (Luke) learned guitar for the role
• Jeremy Shada (Reggie) plays bass
• Owen Joyner (Alex) plays drums
• Madison Reyes (Julie) plays guitar in select scenes

What this means: Charlie Gillespie, Jeremy Shada, and Owen Joyner genuinely learned their instruments for the show, though the final product occasionally uses studio augmentation for technical reasons.

Are the actors in Julie and the Phantoms really singing?

This is the question fans ask most, and the answer is a clear yes — the main cast did their own singing, making the show a genuine musical performance rather than a dubbed production.

Which cast members sing their own parts?

• Madison Reyes (Julie) performs all her own vocals as the lead singer of the band (Wikipedia)
• Charlie Gillespie (Luke) sings his own vocal parts
• Jeremy Shada (Reggie) also provides his own vocals
• Owen Joyner (Alex) sings and has a background in vocal performance

Who is the strongest singer in the cast?

Madison Reyes is widely considered the standout vocalist, performing lead vocals on songs like “Wake Up” and “Perfect Harmony.” Her background includes musical theater and church choir, which she brought directly to the role.

Who plays Julie in Julie and the Phantoms?

Madison Reyes plays Julie Molina, the heart of the series. But the full cast includes a talented ensemble of relative newcomers and a few familiar faces.

What is Madison Reyes’ background?

Reyes was a relatively unknown actor before landing the lead role of Julie Molina. Her audition impressed Kenny Ortega, who cast her based on her natural vocal ability and emotional screen presence. She brought experience from musical theater and community performances.

Who are the main cast members?

• Madison Reyes — Julie Molina (lead vocalist, plays guitar in select scenes)
• Charlie Gillespie — Luke Patterson (vocalist, guitar)
• Owen Joyner — Alex Mercer (vocalist, drums)
• Jeremy Shada — Reggie Peters (vocalist, bass)
• Jadah Marie — Flynn (Julie’s best friend, non-singing role)

What other characters appear in the show?

• Sacha Carlson — Nick
• Savannah May — Carrie
• Booboo Stewart — Willie
• Cheyenne Jackson — Caleb Covington

The pattern: Madison Reyes’s journey from unknown to lead demonstrates that casting directors still prioritize genuine vocal ability over celebrity status.

The catch: The timeline stops at 2021 because no official events have occurred since – the show exists only in reruns and fan memory.

What this means: Madison Reyes’s performance is the most solidly documented fact; everything else about a possible revival remains speculation.

The implication: Madison Reyes, Charlie Gillespie, and Kenny Ortega all share a common desire for a continuation, but no network has acted on it.

For the fans still holding out hope, the situation is clear: Netflix holds the rights, and no announcement has been made. The cast has moved on to other projects, but the Save Julie and the Phantoms campaign continues to push for a second season. For subscribers who want to support the show, streaming it remains the single most effective action — algorithms track watch time, not petitions. Madison Reyes and the cast’s performances remain available on Netflix, and streaming the show is the most effective way to demonstrate demand.