The Next Step is an American teen drama series created by Arthur Smith & Josh Schwartz. It is based on the Canadian TV series by Frank Van Keeken, who is involved with the project. This is the first time Arthur Smith created and produced a scripted drama series. Executive producers include Kent Weed and Frank Sinton of A. Smith and Co. Productions, Stephanie Savage of Fake Empire and Evan Katz. Laurieann Gibson is on board as dance choreographer and executive producer for the show.
Synopsis[]
The series follows the members of a troupe from the titular dance studio, as they train for and compete in various championships, while dealing with rivalries and drama from other dance schools and even among the team itself.
Cast[]
| Actor | Character | Appearances | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | ||
| Main characters | |||||||||||
| Sydney Sweeney | Emily Anderson | Main | Recurring | Main | Guest | ||||||
| Lili Reinhart | Michelle Walters | Main | Recurring | Main | |||||||
| Teo Briones | James Cunningham | Main | Recurring | Guest | Guest | ||||||
| Danielle Campbell | Riley Anderson | Main | Recurring | Guest | Guest | ||||||
| Alexis Chikaeze | Tiffany Kirk | Main | Recurring | Guest | Guest | ||||||
| Jocelyn Shelfo | Giselle Bellamy | Main | Recurring | Recurring | Guest | Recurring | Guest | ||||
| Ciara Riley Wilson | Chloe Atwood | Main | Guest | Guest | |||||||
| Cody Christian | Eldon Stanley | Main | Recurring | Main | |||||||
| Camila Mendes | Stephanie Conrad | Main | Recurring | Main | Recurring | Guest | Guest | ||||
| Algee Smith | West North | Main | Recurring | Main | Guest | ||||||
| Joshua Colley | Daniel Turner | Main | Recurring | Guest | Main | Guest | |||||
| Jessie T. Usher | Chris Young | Main | Recurring | ||||||||
| Sasha Pieterse | Kate Foster | Main | Recurring | Guest | Recurring | Guest | |||||
| Bella Shepard | Amanda Dillon | Recurring | Main | Guest | Guest | ||||||
| Kennedy Lea Slocum | Phoebe Foster | Main | Guest | ||||||||
| Tyler Alvarez | Hunter Matthews | Main | Recurring | ||||||||
| Taylor Russell | Thalia Moore | Main | Recurring | Guest | Recurring | ||||||
| Tylen Jacob Williams | Max Parker | Recurring | Main | Guest | |||||||
| Sammi Hanratty | Cierra Howard | Main | Recurring | ||||||||
| Ambyr Michelle | Shantel Maxwell | Main | |||||||||
| Finn Cole | Noah Baker | Recurring | Main | Guest | |||||||
| Sarah Jeffery | Piper Cunningham | Main | Guest | ||||||||
| Diego Tinoco | Alfie Carpio | Main | Guest | ||||||||
| Megan Lawless | Sloane Heath | Main | Recurring | Guest | |||||||
| DuShaunt "Fik-Shun" Stegall | LaTroy Jenkins | Main | Recurring | ||||||||
| Ciara Bravo | Skylar Howard | Recurring | Main | Recurring | |||||||
| Ava Michelle | Cassie Gilbert | Main | |||||||||
| Danielle Rose Russell | Amy Carter | Main | |||||||||
| Alisha Newton | Richelle Smith | Recurring | Main | Guest | |||||||
| Brandon Flynn | Henry Jackson | Main | |||||||||
| Ariela Barer | Jacquie Fisher | Main | |||||||||
| Aubri Ibrag | Lola Perkins | Main | |||||||||
| Carson Rowland | Ozzy Bennett | Main | |||||||||
| Jeremy Shada | Josh Wentworth | Main | |||||||||
| Justice Smith | Kingston Evans | Main | Guest | ||||||||
| Tiana Le | Zara Quinn | Main | |||||||||
| Kiara Pichardo | Heather Fowler | Recurring | Main | Guest | |||||||
| Alexa Barajas | Summer Grant | Main | Guest | ||||||||
| Akira Akbar | Kenzie Palmer | Main | |||||||||
| Justin Prentice | Finn Lewis | Main | |||||||||
| Libe Barer | Davis Fisher | Main | |||||||||
| Theo James | Heath Osborne | Recurring | Main | ||||||||
| Madalen Mills | Lily Hart | Recurring | Main | Guest | |||||||
| Auli'i Cravalho | Cleo Alexander | Main | Guest | ||||||||
| Dylan Cash | Nick Adams | Main | Recurring | ||||||||
| Meghan Rienks | Jude Bailey | Recurring | Main | Guest | |||||||
| Alyson Stoner | Izzy Bennett | Recurring | Main | ||||||||
| Brett Gray | Pete McCall | Recurring | Main | ||||||||
| Karan Brar | Ethan Roberts | Recurring | Main | ||||||||
| Malachi Barton | Xander Baldwin | Guest | Main | Recurring | |||||||
| Lucas Adams | Anthony Hawthorne | Main | |||||||||
| Ashley Liao | Daisy Crawford-Wu | Main | Recurring | Main | |||||||
| Bex Taylor-Klaus | Dylan Marshall | Main | |||||||||
| Reign Edwards | Ebby Baskin | Main | |||||||||
| Frankie Adams | Jett Grayson | Main | |||||||||
| Alyvia Alyn Lind | Ariana Mitchell | Guest | Main | ||||||||
| Paris Smith | Olive Tucker | Main | |||||||||
| Grayson Russell | Niall Malone | Main | |||||||||
| Sydney Mikayla | Adele Ramsey | Main | Recurring | ||||||||
| Ashley Puzemis | Grace Hunter | Recurring | Main | ||||||||
| Megan Richie | Pascale Beaudry | Recurring | Main | ||||||||
| Keean Johnson | Jonah Reed | Guest | Main | ||||||||
Sydney Sweeney as Emily Anderson (seasons 1-2, 5-7; recurring season 3; guest season 10) - a contemporary dancer, who is a former studio head and dance captain of The Next Step Dance Studio. She is currently co-running a professional dance tour with Michelle.
Lili Reinhart as Michelle Walters (seasons 1-6, 10; recurring seasons 7-8; guest season 9) - the co-studio head and studio owner of The Next Step Dance Studio alongside Eldon as well as a professional dancer. She is a contemporary dancer, who is a former dance captain of A-Troupe.
Teo Briones as James Cunningham (seasons 1-4; guest seasons 5, 7-8, 10) - a drummer in a band and a hip-hop and breakdancer formerly on A-Troupe, B-Troupe, and J-Troupe. He is currently living in New York with his girlfriend Riley and younger sister Piper.
Danielle Campbell as Riley Anderson (seasons 1-4; recurring seasons 5, 7, 10) - a contemporary and hip-hop dancer, formerly on A-Troupe, who currently lives in New York with her boyfriend James and his younger sister Piper.
Alexis Chikaeze as Tiffany Kirk (season 1; recurring season 2; guest seasons 4, 10) - the current studio head of an unnamed studio. She is a hip-hop dancer, who is a former member of A-Troupe, B-Troupe and J-Troupe.
Jocelyn Shelfo as Giselle Bellamy (seasons 1-3; recurring seasons 4, 8; guest seasons 6-7, 10) - a professional dancer on tour with a dance company and a former dance captain of A-Troupe. She also worked for a short time as Chuck Anderson's guest host for the 19th Annual Absolute Dance Regionals and as Lester Cork's guest host for the 19th Annual Absolute Dance Nationals, both broadcast by the SNR Network
Ciara Riley Wilson as Chloe Atwood (seasons 1-3; guest seasons 6-7, 10) - a professional ballet dancer at La Ballet de la Reine, formerly on A-Troupe and B-Troupe.
Cody Christian as Eldon Stanley (seasons 1-3, 9-10; recurring seasons 4-8) - a disc jockey, the current co-studio head and co-studio owner of The Next Step alongside Michelle. He is a contemporary dancer, formerly on A-Troupe. He has co-owned AcroNation alongside Thalia, and served as the head choreographer of the studio. Previously, he was the Internationals consultant at The Next Step.
Camila Mendes as Stephanie Conrad (seasons 1, 3; recurring season 2; guest seasons 4, 7, 10) - a jazz dancer, formerly on A-Troupe, B-Troupe, and J-Troupe. She is currently pursuing an acting career in Los Angeles, California.
Algee Smith as West North (seasons 1-3, 5; recurring season 4; guest seasons 7, 10) - a self-taught hip-hop dancer, who is a former member of A-Troupe and B-Troupe. He was the head choreographer of TNS West and the co-head choreographer of A-Troupe alongside Daniel. He was also a member of Seeds Street Crew.
Joshua Colley as Daniel Turner (seasons 1-2, 5; recurring season 3; guest seasons 4, 10) - a ballet and contemporary dancer, formerly on A-Troupe. He was also the head choreographer of TNS East, and the co-head choreographer of A-Troupe alongside West.
Jessie T. Usher as Chris Young (season 1; recurring season 2) - the co-owner of Superstar Dance Academy and the former head choreographer of The Next Step Dance Studio.
Sasha Pieterse as Kate Foster (seasons 1-3; recurring seasons 4-6, 9; guest seasons 7, 10) - the former dance captain, owner and studio head of The Next Step Dance Studio. She is currently a dance competition judge of a show called Prove Your Groove and a guest host of the SNR Network.
Bella Shepard as Amanda Dillon (seasons 2-4; recurring season 1; guest seasons 7, 10) - a contemporary dancer who is on a world tour with a dance company with Giselle. She is a former dance teacher of J-Troupe and also a former dance captain and member of A-Troupe and Elite Dance Academy.
Kennedy Lea Slocum as Phoebe Foster (seasons 2-3; guest season 4) - Kate's older sister. She is the former head choreographer and member at The Next Step. She currently resides in Ecuador, in the Galapagos Islands.
Tyler Alvarez as Hunter Matthews (season 2; guest season 3) - a breakdancer from Madison, Wisconsin, formerly on A-Troupe.
Taylor Russell as Thalia Moore (seasons 2-3; recurring seasons 4, 6; guest season 5) - a contemporary dancer, formerly on A-Troupe and Wojdan Dance Academy. She is the current studio head and studio owner of AcroNation.
Tylen Jacob Williams as Max Parker (season 3; recurring seasons 1-2; guest season 4) - currently a university student. He is an acrodancer, formerly on A-Troupe and Elite Dance Academy.
Sammi Hanratty as Cierra Howard (season 3; recurring season 4) - a jazz dancer, and a former member of both A-Troupe and Elite Dance Academy.
Ambyr Michelle as Shantel Maxwell (season 3) - a jazz dancer, formerly on A-Troupe, and Elite Dance Academy.
Finn Cole as Noah Baker (seasons 3-6; recurring seasons 1-2) - a contemporary dancer, who is both a former member and dance captain of A-Troupe.
Sarah Jeffery as Piper Cunningham (seasons 4-8; guest seasons 9-10) - a contemporary, jazz and lyrical dancer, who is currently in New York with Amy and living with her older brother James and his girlfriend Riley.
Diego Tinoco as Alfie Carpio (season 4; guest season 7) - the prince of Switzerland. He is also a jazz dancer, formerly on A-Troupe and an ex-boyfriend of Riley. Similar to Beth, Alfie's main purpose on the show is to pursue Riley and cause relationship drama between Riley and James.
Megan Lawless as Sloane Heath (season 4; guest seasons 5-6) - a hip-hop dancer, formerly on A-Troupe, who currently works with Luther Brown.
DuShaunt "Fik-Shun" Stegall as LaTroy Jenkins (seasons 4-5; guest season 6) - a hip-hop, pop and lock and animation dancer. He is a former member of A-Troupe, B-Troupe and TNS West.
Ciara Bravo as Skylar Howard (season 4; recurring season 3; guest season 5) - an acro and contemporary dancer at Gemini Dance Studio as well as its current dance captain. She is the younger sister of Cierra. As well as a former member of Elite Dance Academy, she was also a member of A-Troupe, where she was the dance captain, until she didn’t make A-Troupe.
Ava Michelle as Cassie Gilbert (season 4) - a jazz dancer and a former member of A-Troupe.
Danielle Rose Russell as Amy Carter (seasons 4-8) - an acro, jazz and lyrical dancer, formerly on A-Troupe, AcroNation West Coast; and Step Inside. She is currently a student at the Manhattan Institute of Drama and Dance in New York.
Alisha Newton as Richelle Smith (seasons 4-8; recurring seasons 2-3; guest seasons 9-10) - an acro, ballet, contemporary and jazz dancer, who is a former member and dance captain of The Next Step Dance Studio. She is currently a professional dancer and the founder and member of Step Inside 2.
Brandon Flynn as Henry Jackson (seasons 4-7) - a hip-hop and breakdancer formerly on A-Troupe, B-Troupe, and TNS West.
Ariela Barer as Jacquie Fisher (seasons 5-6) - an acro and contemporary dancer, formerly on A-Troupe.
Aubri Ibrag as Lola Perkins (season 5) - a jazz dancer formerly on A-Troupe and Encore Dance Studios.
Carson Rowland as Ozzy Bennett (seasons 5-8) - a hip-hop, musical theatre and contemporary dancer formerly of Step Inside, A-Troupe and J-Troupe. He was previously working with his uncle Tony, but is currently in New York with Richelle, promoting Richelle's new show, Step Inside 2.
Jeremy Shada as Josh Wentworth (season 5) - a hip-hop dancer, formerly on A-Troupe and TNS East.
Justice Smith as Kingston Evans (seasons 5-8; guest season 10) - a ballet, hip-hop, fusion and jazz dancer and a vlogger who is a former member of Step Inside and A-Troupe. He is currently an actor in London and the ex-boyfriend of Lily.
Tiana Le as Zara Quinn (season 5) - a hip-hop and jazz funk dancer, formerly on A-Troupe, B-Troupe, and TNS East. She was a mathlete.
Kiara Pichardo as Heather Fowler (season 5; recurring season 4; guest season 6) - a college student, and an acro and contemporary dancer formerly on A-Troupe.
Alexa Barajas as Summer Grant (seasons 6-7; guest season 8) - a lyrical, jazz funk, contemporary, funk and jazz dancer formerly on A-Troupe and the winner of the Stacy Carpenter Scholarship. She is a former dancer on B-Troupe and A-Troupe and a former Dance Captain of both troupes.
Akira Akbar as Kenzie Palmer (seasons 6-10) - an acro, hip-hop, contemporary and jazz funk dancer on A-Troupe and one of its former dance captains. She is briefly a member of L'Equipe Etoile as an exchange dancer for the Internationals exchange program. She is Pete’s girlfriend.
Justin Prentice as Finn Lewis (seasons 6-8) - a musical theatre and hip-hop dancer at Radiation Dance Crew, formerly on A-Troupe. He was a child actor.
Libe Barer as Davis Fisher (season 6) - an acro dancer, formerly on A-Troupe and Encore Dance Studio. She is Jacquie's older sister as well as one of Kenzie's best friends.
Theo James as Heath Osborne (seasons 7-10; recurring season 6) - a hip-hop and jazz dancer on A-Troupe, formerly a member of B-Troupe, J-Troupe, and Step Inside.
Madalen Mills as Lily Hart (seasons 7-8; recurring season 6; guest seasons 9-10) - the director of Step Inside 2. She is an acroand jazz dancer, who is a former member of A-Troupe and Encore Dance Studios. She was the dance captain of both teams. She is the daughter of Angela, as well as the ex-girlfriend of Kingston.
Auli'i Cravalho as Cleo Alexander (seasons 7-8; guest season 9) - a hip-hop and urban dancer of Step Inside 2, formerly on A-Troupe, B-Troupe and AcroNation East Coast.
Dylan Cash as Nick Adams (seasons 7-9; guest season 10) - the former studio head and studio owner of The Next Step Dance Studio.
Meghan Rienks as Jude Bailey (season 8; recurring season 7; guest season 9) - a contemporary and jazz dancer formerly on A-Troupe and B-Troupe.
Alyson Stoner as Izzy Bennett (seasons 8-10; recurring season 7) - a hip-hop dancer on A-Troupe, formerly on B-Troupe, who identifies as non-binary. She is Ozzy's younger sibling.
Brett Gray as Pete McCall (seasons 8-10; recurring season 7) - a hip-hop and funk dancer on A-Troupe, formerly on B-Troupe. He is Kenzie’s boyfriend.
Karan Brar as Ethan Roberts (seasons 8-10; recurring season 7) - a jazz and contemporary dancer on A-Troupe, formerly on B-Troupe. He is currently a dance teacher for J-Troupe. When he first joins the studio, Ethan auditions for an alternate spot on A-Troupe but is unsuccessful, causing him to audition for B-Troupe and makes it in.
Malachi Barton as Xander Baldwin (season 8, guest seasons 6-7, 9) - a hip-hop and breakdancer on B-Troupe, formerly on A-Troupe and J-Troupe.
Lucas Adams as Anthony Hawthorne (seasons 8-10) - a contemporary and jazz dancer on A-Troupe, as well as its current dance captain.
Bex Taylor-Klaus as Dylan Marshall (season 8) - a jazz and acro dancer, formerly on A-Troupe, who identifies as non-binary. They are the younger sibling of Margo Marshall. They are currently on their sister’s dance tour.
Ashley Liao as Daisy Crawford-Wu (season 8; recurring season 9; guest season 10) - a hip-hop and jazz dancer formerly on A-Troupe. She is Heath’s best friend.
Reign Edwards as Ebby Baskin (seasons 8-9) - an acro, contemporary, and jazz dancer on A-Troupe.
Frankie Adams as Jett Grayson (seasons 8-10) - a hip-hop and breakdancer on A-Troupe.
Alyvia Alyn Lind as Ariana Mitchell (seasons 9-10; guest season 8) - an acro and lyrical dancer on A-Troupe, formerly at Ultra Elite, who was the dance captain for both troupes. She is also Presley’s younger sister.
Paris Smith as Olive Tucker (seasons 9-10) - an acro and jazz dancer on A-Troupe, formerly at Ultra Elite.
Grayson Russell as Niall Malone (seasons 9-10) - an acro and contemporary dancer on A-Troupe, formerly on J-Troupe.
Sydney Mikayla as Adele Ramsey (season 9; guest season 10) - a jazz and acro dancer on A-Troupe, formerly at Ultra Elite.
Ashley Puzemis as Grace Hunter (season 10; recurring seasons 7-9) - a jazz and lyrical dancer on B-Troupe, formerly on A-Troupe and Ultra Elite.
Megan Richie as Pascale Beaudry (season 10; recurring season 9) - a dancer from France who attends as the soloist, former alternate and dance captain at L'Equipe Etoile.
Keean Johnson as Jonah Reed (season 10; guest seasons 8-9) - a dancer at The Next Step Dance Studio.