Thirty years in the making, a magical movie sequel experience has been brought together with the help of returning witches Winifred (Bette Midler), Sara (Sarah Jessica Parker) and Mary Sanderson (Kathy Najimy) as well as resident zombie Billy Butcherson (Doug Jones). “Hocus Pocus 2” would not be what it is without its reprised roles, but it also would not be the spooky spectacle without its newcomers as well.
“Ted Lasso” alumni Hannah Waddingham and Sam Richardson add fright factor to the sequel, as do younger stars Whitney Peak and Belissa Escobedo. Launching a month before Halloween on Disney+, “Hocus Pocous 2” provides the perfect eerie escape to get into gear for the holiday season.
Fans of the original 1993 film or newcomers to the fandom can use the below cast and character guide for “Hocus Pocus 2” to match their favorite famous faces as well as those they recognize, but forget where they’ve seen them before.
Winifred Sanderson (Bette Midler)
Fiery-tempered Winifred Sanderson leads her sisters in their return to Salem to eat more children and survive past Halloween night. It is Winifred’s sixteenth birthday that changes everything for her and her sisters. Bette Midler first appeared as Winifred in the 1993 film “Hocus Pocus.” She is also known for her appearances in “Ruthless People” (1986) as Barbara Stone, “Beaches” (1988) as CC Bloom and “The First Wives Club” (1996) as Brenda Morelli Cushman. More recently, she has voiced Grandma in “The Addams Family” (2019) and appeared in “The Politician” TV show (2019-2020) as Hadassah Gold. Midler has been nominated for two Oscars in 1980 for “The Rose” (1979) and in 1992 “For the Boys (1991).
Sara Sanderson (Sarah Jessica Parker)
Sarah Jessica Parker returns as aloof Sara Sanderson, the youngest of the three sisters, with her blonde hair but unfortunately not her rat tails. Sara was Billy Butcherson’s actual love, apparently. Sarah Jessica Parker is most well known for her roles in the “Sex and the City” TV show and films. She also played Meredith Morton in “The Family Stone” (2005). Parker has also recently reprised the role of Carrie Bradshaw in HBO’s “Sex and the City” revival show “And Just Like That…” She won two Primetime Emmys for playing Carrie Bradshaw in “Sex and the City” in 2001 and 2004.
Mary Sanderson (Kathy Najimy)
Kathy Najimy rounds out the original trio of witchy sisters who first spooked viewers almost 30 years ago in the original “Hocus Pocus” (1993). Mary Sanderson has quite the sense of humor as well as an eclectic taste in flying vehicles. Kathy Najimy is most well-known for portraying Sister Mary Patrick in the 1992 and 1993 “Sister Act” films. She also played Geri in “The Wedding Planner” (2001). Television roles include Peggy Hill in “King of the Hill,” Sheila in “Make It or Break It,” Wendy Keegan in “Veep” and Sareena Secord in “The Rocketeer.” Most recently she appeared as Sylvia Portman in “The Morning Show” and Carole in “Single All the Way” (2021).
Mother Witch (Hannah Waddingham)
Hannah Waddingham appears in the sequel as Mother Witch, who essentially grants Winifred and her sisters their powers. She can transform into what looks like a crow with orange wing shoulders (maybe an oriole?), and she gifts Winifred Book on her 16th birthday, encouraging the three sisters to stick together because they are strongest in their union. Hannah Waddingham has played roles in “How to Lose Friends & Alienate People” (2008), “Les Misérables” (2012) and “Winter Ridge” (2018). She is most well known for one of her latest projects: “Ted Lasso,” in which she plays Rebecca Welton, and for which she has won an Emmy. Waddingham also plays Sofia Marchetti, one of Jackson Marchetti’s two mothers in “Sex Education.”
William Billy Butcherson (Doug Jones)
William “Billy” Butcherson is the friendly neighborhood zombie who was rumored to have cheated on Winifred Sanderson with Sarah, but he usually comes to the aid of those trying to defeat the sisters in Salem, and he does so in film #2 as well. Doug Jones played Butcherson in the 1993 film, and he is also known for playing Amphibian Man in “The Shape of Water” (2017), playing Abe Sapien in the “Hellboy” franchise, playing Fauno/Pale Man in “Pan’s Labyrinth” (2006) and portraying Roger North in “John Dies at the End” (2012). He also played The Silver Surfer in “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer” (2007). More recently, he has starred as Baron Afanas in “What We Do in the Shadows.”
Gilbert (Sam Richardson)
Gilbert is the owner of the magic store in Salem. He calls himself Gilbert the Great, and he knows everything there is to know about the Sanderson sisters and their history with Salem. Gilbert tips off Becca and Izzy that a witch gets her powers on her sixteenth birthday. Sam Richardson is known for roles in “Veep,” “Detroiters,” “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates,” “We’re the Millers,” and more. More recently he has played the role of Aniq in “The Afterparty,” Chico/Randy” in “HouseBroken,” and Cool James / The Mayor and more in “The Fungies.” He appeared as Edwin Akufo in “Ted Lasso” season 2.
Becca (Whitney Peak)
Becca is turning sixteen this Halloween, and she has plans to watch scary movies and perform witchy rituals. She may or may not be an actual witch — we’ll let you watch the film to find out. Whitney Peak appeared in Aaron Sorkin’s directorial debut film “Molly’s Game” (2017) in the role of Stella as well as Judith Blackwood in “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.” More recently she has appeared as Alpha Jessica in “Home Before Dark” on Apple TV+, and she also plays Zoya Lott in the reboot of “Gossip Girl.”
Izzy (Belissa Escobedo)
Izzy is Becca’s righthand bestie, and she helps out with all things witch and social life. Belissa Escobedo has played roles like Natalie Garcia in the TV show “The Baker and the Beauty,” and Cari in “Don’t Look Deeper.” She has more recently appeared as Shanti in “American Horror Stories,” and Bianca in the film “Sex Appeal” (2022).
Cassie (Lilia Buckingham)
Cassie used to complete the trio of Izzy and Becca, but they have been out of the loop for a little while. Since Cassie started dating Mike, the girls haven’t communicated as much, but Cassie still remembers Becca’s birthday. Lilia Buckingham is most well known for playing Autumn in the TV series “Dirt,” a role she also reprises in “Spring Breakaway” (2019) and “Total Eclipse.”
Reverend and Mayor (Tony Hale)
Tony Hale plays the Reverend who banishes the Sanderson sisters from Salem after Winifred refuses to accept his proposed arranged marriage to a young boy in town. Of course, the current mayor of Salem is descended from that Reverend and looks exactly like him, so Hale portrays him as well. Hale is best known for playing Buster in “Arrested Development” and Gary in “Veep.”
