Five Nights at Freddy's 2 cast & characters: Meet the stars behind the film and the roles they play

Five Nights at Freddy's 2 is set to hit US theaters on December 5, 2025. The supernatural horror sequel, directed by Emma Tammi and written by Scott Cawthon, Seth Cuddeback, and Emma Tammi, picks up where the 2023 film adaptation left off.

The film stars Josh Hutcherson, Elizabeth Lail, Piper Rubio, Matthew Lillard, Skeet Ulrich, Wayne Knight, McKenna Grace, Teo Briones, Theodus Crane as Jeremiah, Freddy Carter as a security guard, Kellen Goff as the voice of Toy Freddy, and Megan Fox voiced Toy Chica. Matthew 'MatPat' Patrick as the voice of Toy Bonnie

Main cast and characters of Five Nights at Freddy's 2

1) Josh Hutcherson as Mike Schmidt

A still of Josh Hutcherson's character from Five Nights at Freddy's 2 (Image via Universal Pictures)

Josh Hutcherson is back as Mike Schmidt, a guy haunted by nightmares since working at that creepy pizza place. But this time around, he’s focused on keeping his little sister Abby safe from whatever lurks there. Trauma sticks with him, flashbacks, panic, the whole mess after surviving those twisted nights.

As secrets unravel, it turns out the restaurant’s dark past runs deeper than he thought. And weirdly enough, it seems tied to his own family in ways nobody saw coming.

Hutcherson has been part of big projects in various styles over the years. Since he was a kid, he started acting, appearing in films such as Bridge to Terabithia, Zathura, and The Kids Are All Right.

He gained fame from the The Hunger Games series, then transitioned into action, drama, and comedy roles, such as Future Man, The Beekeeper, and indie movies. Behind the scenes, he’s stepped into directing, producing films, too.

2) Elizabeth Lail as Vanessa Shelly

A still of Elizabeth Lail's character from Five Nights at Freddy's 2 (Image via Universal Pictures)

Elizabeth Lail returns as Vanessa Shelly, the police officer who is the daughter of William Afton. Her character perpetually struggles under the weight of her father's horrific legacy. As she becomes more involved in unraveling the past behind Freddy Fazbear's Pizza, Vanessa's emotional complexity and conflicting loyalties become central to the sequel.

Lail started her career with roles in fantasy and drama shows such as Once Upon a Time and Dead of Summer. She came into wider consciousness with her work in the successful thriller series You, followed by Countdown, Ordinary Joe, and a string of independent features. Besides acting, Lail has also continued attending film events and engaging in creative collaborations.

3) Piper Rubio as Abby Schmidt

A still of Piper Rubio's character from Five Nights at Freddy's 2 (Image via Universal Pictures)

Piper Rubio stars again as Abby Schmidt, whose connection to the animatronics becomes the emotional core of the film. More aware of their strange behavior this time, Abby's reforging of her bond with Freddy and his companions leads her deeper into the secrets surrounding the pizzeria's beginnings. She adds an innocent, vulnerable, curious perspective on the events that happen.

Rubio began acting in her childhood, appearing in projects including Holly & Ivy, commercials, and television roles before gaining wider recognition for her roles in For All Mankind (2019) and Unstable (2023), as well as the first Five Nights at Freddy's film.

4) Matthew Lillard as William Afton

Matthew Lillard reprises his role of William Afton, the infamous serial killer and creator of the haunted animatronics. Despite Afton's crushing in his springlock suit in the previous film, his presence weighs heavily on this sequel. His influence, whether it be psychological or supernatural, shaped the events surrounding Freddy Fazbear’s Pizza.

With a career spanning over 30 years, some of his iconic roles include Scream, Scooby-Doo, Serial Mom, and The Descendants. He frequently transitions between studio films, television, voice-over work, and independent projects. Beyond acting, he has directed, produced, and started businesses, among other endeavors, which have kept Lillard energetic and active in entertainment for years.

5) Skeet Ulrich as Henry

A still of Skeet Ulrich’s character from Five Nights at Freddy's 2 (Image via Universal Pictures)

Skeet Ulrich plays Henry, a character fans have waited years to see. Within the story, he co-founded Freddy Fazbeard’s Pizza, tied closely to the creepy animatronic beginnings. With his appearance, key secrets from the pizzeria's history begin to surface. He’s widely recognized for performances in Scream, Riverdale, or even The Craft.