‘Grown-ish’ Season 5 Gains Daniella Perkins as Series Regular, Six Join as Recurring

Grown-ish Season 5 premieres this month, and with it comes Daniella Perkins as a series regular and six new characters in recurring roles.

This new cast will debut when Season 5 premieres on Wednesday, July 20, on Freeform.

Deadline exclusively reported the news about the coming-of-age Freeform series, revealing the details about Cal U’s latest students.

Before her promotion, Perkins recurred as Kiela Hall in Grown-ish Season 4. Matthew Sato, Tara Raani, Justine Skye, Amelie Zilber, Ceyair Wright, and Slick Woods join Season 5’s cast in recurring roles. 

In Perkins’ ten episodes, Kiela uses her rebellious nature as a journalism student at Cal U to create positive change. Additionally, Kiela strikes up a romance with Diggy Simmons’ Doug Edwards, which doesn’t make her older brother Luca happy. 

The potential for any longevity between Kiela and Doug is quickly dashed by Luca’s reservations and Doug’s desire to retain his friendship with Luca.

Perkins’ promotion could mean Kiela and Doug have more time and space to resolve their romantic tension, regardless of Luca’s opinion.

Deadline reports Tara Raani plays Zaara, an overachieving first-generation Muslim-American who identifies as queer and open with her sexuality. As a sophomore, Zaara will likely be in Kiela’s class. Justine Skye joins as a freshman who chooses Cal U because it is “good for her brand.”

Amelie Zilber plays another freshman named Lauryn, an open-minded, devout Christian. Lauryn “overcompensates in an attempt to mask her insecurities.”

Ceyair Wright is Zeke, an endearing all-American football player. Matthew Sato joins as charming sophomore Brandon, who has big political dreams with aspirational goals. Finally, Slick Woods recurs as the freshman and style icon Slick, but it’s important to note — Slick has no filter.

TVLine reinforces that this huge casting news is a part of Grown-ish‘s efforts for a revamped Season 5. As previously reported, the Season 4 finale of Grown-ish marked the exits of six series regulars.

Returning cast members include Yara Shahidi as Zoey, Trevor Jackson as Aaron, and Diggy Simmons as Doug — with the addition of Marcus Scribner as Zoey’s younger brother Junior Johnson.

As Freeform previously announced, Grown-ish Season 5 will focus on Junior’s “journey to being “grown.” With this casting news, the comedy’s fifth season will also have plenty of other journeys to follow.

It’s only a matter of time until we learn how all of these characters’ paths cross.

—

Grown-ish Season 5 premieres Wednesday, July 20 at 10/9c on Freeform.

 Follow us on Twitter and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!

Yara Shahidi Talks ‘black-ish’ Pride and That Ambiguous ‘grown-ish’ Season 4 Finale | PaleyFest