Candyman Cast & Character Guide

The legend of Candyman is back in a new movie that serves as a direct sequel to the original one, and here’s who plays who in this new story. Although many consider the 1990s as a weak decade in the horror genre, it did bring a couple of stories that kept the decade afloat, as are Wes Craven’s Scream and Bernard Rose’s Candyman. The latter was released in 1992 and was a big success with critics, making way for a film series. Now, over two decades later, comes a direct sequel to the original movie, also titled Candyman.

Based on Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden”, the original Candyman followed Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen), a Chicago graduate student writing a thesis on urban legends, which leads her to the legend of Candyman, the ghost of an artist and son of slaves who was murdered in the 19th century for his relationship with the daughter of a wealthy white man. The legend says that if you say his name five times in front of a mirror, he appears and kills you with the hook attached to the bloody stump of his right arm.

The new Candyman movie, directed by Nia DaCosta, revisits the legend and gives it a new origin, while also dealing with new social issues. Candyman follows Anthony McCoy, a visual artist who becomes obsessed with Candyman and starts incorporating the legend into his art, and that will have terrible consequences. Candyman counts on the presence of some well-known actors, as well as a very important one from the original movie – here’s the cast and character guide for Candyman.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Anthony McCoy

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays Anthony McCoy, a struggling visual artist who becomes obsessed with the story of Candyman and uses it in different art projects to revive his career, but he had no idea of what he was about to unleash by summoning the Candyman. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II played Black Manta in Aquaman, Bobby Seale in The Trial of the Chicago 7, and Cal Abar in the TV series Watchmen.

Teyonah Parris as Brianna Cartwright

Teyonah Parris plays Brianna Cartwright, Anthony’s girlfriend and an art gallery director. Teyonah Parris is best known for playing Coco Conners in Dear White People, Ernestine Rivers in If Beale Street Could Talk, Dawn Chambers in Mad Men, and Monica Rambeau in WandaVision and The Marvels.

Colman Domingo as William Burke

Colman Domingo plays William Burke, a Cabrini Green resident who tells Anthony all he needs to know about the neighborhood, the legend of Candyman, and the dangers of it. Colman Domingo played Victor Strand in Fear the Walking Dead, Dr. Russell Daniels in The Knick, Ali in Euphoria, and Cutler in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.

Michael Hargrove as Sherman Fields/Candyman

Michael Hargrove plays Sherman Fields, a one-armed man who was tortured and killed by the police after being falsely accused of planting razor blades in candy, and who has become the new subject of the Candyman legend. Michael Hargrove’s acting credits include the drama The Express and the TV series Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D.

Candyman Supporting Cast & Characters

Tony Todd as Daniel Robitaille/Candyman: the original Candyman. Aside from the Candyman movies, Tony Todd appeared in Night of the Living Dead, Final Destination, and the TV series Chuck, The Young and the Restless, and Scream.

Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Troy Cartwright: Brianna’s brother. Nathan Stewart-Jarrett played Curtis Donovan in Misfits, Barrett Hopper in Famous in Love, and Johnny Edgecombe in The Trial of Christine Keeler.

Vanessa Estelle Williams as Anne-Marie McCoy: Anthony’s mother, who shared her fear of Candyman to Helen Lyle years ago. Vanessa Estelle Williams’ acting credits include Melrose Place, Murder One, Soul Food, Famous in Love, and American Horror Stories.

Rebecca Spence as Finley Stephens: Rebecca Spence played Doris Rogers in Public Enemies and Cheryl in Slice.

About The Author

Adrienne Tyler
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Adrienne Tyler is a features writer for Screen Rant. She is an Audiovisual Communication graduate who wanted to be a filmmaker, but life had other plans (and it turned out great). Prior to Screen Rant, she wrote for Pop Wrapped, 4 Your Excitement (4YE), and D20Crit, where she was also a regular guest at Netfreaks podcast. She was also a contributor for FanSided’s BamSmackPow and 1428 Elm. Adrienne is very into films and she enjoys a bit of everything: from superhero films to heartbreaking dramas, to low-budget horror films. Every time she manages to commit to a TV show without getting bored, an angel gets its wings.

When she’s not writing, you can find her trying to learn a new language, watching hockey (go Avs!), or wondering what life would have been like had Pushing Daisies, Firefly, and Limitless not been cancelled. Breakfast food is life and coffee is what makes the world go round.

Guillermo del Toro said “hi” to her once. It was great.

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