7 Shocking Power Rangers Cast Updates: From Cosmic Fury's New Team To The Emotional Reunion

The Power Rangers franchise is celebrating its 30th anniversary, and the cast updates in late 2024 and early 2025 are nothing short of explosive. Fans are witnessing a major shift with the newest series, *Power Rangers Cosmic Fury*, while also getting an emotional, decades-in-the-making reunion with the original heroes. This article dives into the latest developments, revealing the new faces, the returning legends, and the current lives of the beloved actors who first shouted "It's Morphin' Time!" The legacy of the *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers* (MMPR) continues to evolve, bringing back iconic actors for the 2023 special *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always* and integrating a fan-favorite original Ranger into the latest main series, *Cosmic Fury*. The blend of nostalgia and new adventures ensures the franchise remains a cultural powerhouse, and the actors behind the helmets are at the heart of this enduring phenomenon.

Power Rangers Cast: A Look at the Most Prominent Actors

The Power Rangers universe spans over 30 seasons and features hundreds of actors, but a few have recently dominated the headlines due to their roles in the latest installments, *Cosmic Fury* and *Once & Always*.

David Yost (Billy Cranston / Blue Ranger)

• Role: Original Blue Ranger (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) and Blue Ranger/Mentor (Power Rangers Cosmic Fury)
• Born: January 7, 1969 (Westminster, California)
• Notable Work: *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers*, *Power Rangers Zeo*, *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always*, *Power Rangers Cosmic Fury*
• Current Status: Yost made a historic return for the 30th-anniversary special and became the first original cast member to join a main-line series cast since 1999, appearing in *Cosmic Fury* as the Blue Ranger and a mentor figure.

Walter Emanuel Jones (Zack Taylor / Black Ranger)

• Role: Original Black Ranger (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers)
• Born: November 30, 1970 (Detroit, Michigan)
• Notable Work: *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers*, *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always*, *The Shield*, *Buffy the Vampire Slayer*
• Current Status: Jones is a prominent figure in the convention circuit and returned to the franchise for *Once & Always*. He continues to work as an actor and voice-over artist, frequently discussing the deep bond of the "Ranger family."

Hunter Deno (Amelia Jones / Pink Ranger / Red Ranger)

• Role: Pink Ranger (Power Rangers Dino Fury), Red Ranger (Power Rangers Cosmic Fury)
• Born: March 23, 1996 (Orlando, Florida)
• Notable Work: *Power Rangers Dino Fury*, *Power Rangers Cosmic Fury*
• Current Status: Deno's character, Amelia Jones, made history in *Cosmic Fury* by becoming the first female Red Ranger in a main television series, marking a major milestone for the franchise.

The Cosmic Fury Cast: New History for the Franchise

*Power Rangers Cosmic Fury* is the 30th season of the franchise and the final installment produced under the Hasbro banner before a rumored reboot. The cast features the returning team from *Power Rangers Dino Fury*, but with a major twist in their roles and the groundbreaking inclusion of a legendary original Ranger. The *Cosmic Fury* cast is led by the following actors:

• Hunter Deno as Amelia Jones (Red Ranger)
• Russell Curry as Zayto (Zenith Ranger)
• Kai Moya as Ollie Akana (Blue Ranger)
• Tessa Rao as Izzy Garcia (Green Ranger)
• Chance Perez as Javi Garcia (Black Ranger)
• Jacqueline Joe as Fern (Moria Ranger)

This season made headlines not just for its shift to a new, smaller-scale storytelling format, but for the history-making role of Hunter Deno. Her character, Amelia Jones, transitioned from Pink Ranger to Red Ranger, a significant move that highlights the franchise's evolving commitment to diverse leadership. This cast also had the unique honor of working alongside a *Mighty Morphin* veteran. The most significant casting news was the full-time return of David Yost as Billy Cranston, the original Blue Ranger. His involvement bridged the gap between the classic era and the current generation, providing a crucial link for long-time fans and adding immense topical authority to the series.

Mighty Morphin: Once & Always Reunion and Legacy

The 2023 Netflix special, *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always*, was a massive reunion event that brought back several key actors from the original 1993 series, a testament to the enduring appeal of the *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers* (MMPR) cast. The special was a heartfelt tribute to the show's 30-year legacy and an emotional moment for the actors. The returning *Once & Always* cast included:

• David Yost (Billy Cranston / Blue Ranger)
• Walter Emanuel Jones (Zack Taylor / Black Ranger)
• Steve Cardenas (Rocky DeSantos / Red Ranger)
• Catherine Sutherland (Kat Hillard / Pink Ranger)
• Karan Ashley (Aisha Campbell / Yellow Ranger)

The special also introduced Charlie Kersh as Minh Kwan, the daughter of the original Yellow Ranger, Trini Kwan, whose actress, Thuy Trang, tragically passed away in 2001. Kersh’s inclusion honored Trang’s memory and provided a poignant continuation of the Yellow Ranger's story.

The Absence of the Green Ranger and Recent Cast Tragedies

A major, unavoidable topic surrounding the *Once & Always* reunion is the absence of Jason David Frank, who played Tommy Oliver, the iconic Green/White Ranger. Frank tragically passed away in November 2022. The special was filmed prior to his death, but he had already stated he would not be participating. His passing was a profound loss for the "Ranger family" and the fandom, and the special served as an indirect, emotional tribute to his immense contribution to the franchise. Another notable absence was Amy Jo Johnson (Kimberly Hart / Pink Ranger), who chose not to return for the special, though she remains a beloved figure and continues to work in acting and directing.

Where Are the Original Power Rangers Cast Members Now?

The original *Mighty Morphin Power Rangers* cast members have led varied and fascinating lives since leaving the series. Their careers have spanned from continuing acting to working behind the scenes and becoming staples on the pop culture convention circuit. Austin St. John (Jason Lee Scott / Red Ranger) has had a complicated post-Ranger career, including a 2022 indictment for wire fraud, which has kept him out of recent anniversary projects. Despite this, he remains a key figure in the history of the franchise. Walter Emanuel Jones (Zack Taylor / Black Ranger) and David Yost (Billy Cranston / Blue Ranger) have been the most active in the franchise's recent anniversary projects. Jones has found success in voice acting and continues to appear at conventions. Yost's return to the main series for *Cosmic Fury* is a major career highlight, providing him with a platform to discuss the importance of representation and overcoming past challenges he faced during his original run. Amy Jo Johnson (Kimberly Ann Hart / Pink Ranger) has focused on independent film projects, including directing and writing, maintaining a successful career away from the Ranger helmet. Steve Cardenas (Rocky DeSantos / Red Ranger) and Catherine Sutherland (Kat Hillard / Pink Ranger) both returned for *Once & Always* and remain active in the fan community, often meeting fans at events and celebrating the show's legacy. The enduring popularity of the *Power Rangers* cast, both old and new, highlights the unique impact the show has had on multiple generations. Whether they are the historic female Red Ranger in *Cosmic Fury* or the returning legends from *Once & Always*, the actors continue to embody the spirit of teamwork and heroism for fans worldwide. As rumors of a new film reboot surface for late 2024, the Power Rangers universe is poised for another exciting evolution.