The Greendale Seven: Where Are The Community Actors Now? (2025-2026 Projects And The Movie Update)

The rallying cry of "Six Seasons and a Movie" is finally becoming a reality, but what have the beloved Greendale Seven—and the eccentric Dean—been up to while the script for the long-awaited Community film was being finalized? As of December 18, 2025, the cast members are busier than ever, moving from the halls of Greendale Community College to major roles across film, television, and music. This deep dive reveals the latest, most current, and freshest updates on the entire core cast, including major film roles, new TV shows, and the most anticipated news on the Community movie itself.

The transition from a cult-hit sitcom to a fully-fledged movie has been a decade-long journey, yet the careers of the Community actors have only accelerated, making them some of the most sought-after talents in Hollywood. From hosting major game shows to starring in dark comedies and developing their own Star Wars projects, the cast has ensured they are constantly in the pop culture conversation, proving that their chemistry extends far beyond the study room table.

The Greendale Seven and Dean Pelton: Current 2025-2026 Projects

The core ensemble of Community, often referred to as the Greendale Seven (plus the Dean), has carved out an impressive and diverse array of projects. Here is a complete, up-to-date look at the current status and upcoming work for each of the main Community actors.

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Joel McHale (Jeff Winger) – The Host and The Sitcom Star

The actor who played the morally ambiguous but lovable Jeff Winger is currently dominating the small screen with multiple high-profile projects. Joel McHale has successfully transitioned into a major comedy and hosting personality. His current projects include:

• The 1% Club (FOX): McHale is the host for the new season of this popular game show, which is slated to air in the 2025-2026 programming season, moving exclusively to FOX after its initial run on Prime Video.
• Animal Control (FOX): His comedy series, where he plays a former police officer turned Animal Control professional, was renewed for another season, also returning in the 2025-2026 season.
• California King (Film): McHale is part of the cast for the 2025 comedy film California King, which stars Jimmy Tatro and Victoria Justice.
• Scream 7: McHale has also been confirmed to be shooting the highly anticipated horror sequel, Scream 7, in Atlanta.

Alison Brie (Annie Edison) – From Study Group to Horror Film

Known for her intense, over-achieving character Annie Edison, Alison Brie has continued to shine in both comedy and drama, especially after her critically acclaimed role in GLOW. Her career is currently focused on film projects that showcase her dramatic range:

• Together (2025 Film): Brie is set to star in the 2025 horror film Together alongside her husband, Dave Franco. The movie has been described as a body horror film and is one of the most talked-about independent releases of the year.
• Community: The Movie: Brie is officially confirmed to reprise her role as Annie Edison, a role she has expressed great enthusiasm about returning to.

Donald Glover (Troy Barnes) – The Multihyphenate’s Return

Donald Glover, who left Community in Season 5, has arguably had the most explosive post-Greendale career as a musician (Childish Gambino), writer, and creator. His current and upcoming projects are colossal in scope:

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• Lando Project (Star Wars): The long-discussed series or film focused on Lando Calrissian, with Glover reprising his role from Solo: A Star Wars Story, is reportedly "back in development" as of late 2025. Glover and his brother, Stephen Glover, are developing the project, with Donald stating he wants to put the "fun" back into Star Wars.
• Childish Gambino World Tour (2024–2025): Glover has been on a major world tour under his musical moniker, Childish Gambino, which has kept him busy throughout the year.
• Moncler x Gilga Farm: In 2025, Glover was involved in a major creative project with Moncler, designing the Gilga Farm collection, showcasing his multi-disciplinary talent.

Danny Pudi (Abed Nadir) – The Sitcom and Animation Specialist

The actor behind the pop culture-obsessed Abed Nadir is back in the multi-camera sitcom world while also continuing his extensive voice acting work:

• Going Dutch (FOX): Pudi is set to star in the new FOX sitcom Going Dutch for the 2025/2026 season, playing a character opposite Denis Leary.
• Prep & Landing: The Snowball Protocol (2025): Pudi is slated to voice a role in the upcoming animated special, continuing his work in the animation space.
• Community: The Movie: Pudi is, of course, confirmed to return as Abed, ready to document the movie's meta-narrative.

Gillian Jacobs (Britta Perry) – The Dark Comedy Lead

Gillian Jacobs, who played the well-meaning but often misguided Britta Perry, is focusing on a mix of film and voice acting roles, often in the comedy and indie space:

• New Dark Comedy Film (2025): She was announced in August 2025 to star in a new dark comedy film alongside Rob Lowe and Will Brill.
• Invincible (Voice Work): Jacobs is a voice cast member for the animated series Invincible, with the highly anticipated Season 4 teaser trailer debuting in 2026.
• Film Slate: Her upcoming film credits also include projects like Mark, Mary & Some Other People and Larry.

Yvette Nicole Brown (Shirley Bennett) – The Host and Podcaster

Yvette Nicole Brown, who played the devout and motherly Shirley Bennett, remains a ubiquitous presence across television as a host, panelist, and actor:

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• Squeezed (Podcast): Brown is launching a new caregiving podcast called Squeezed, which she is currently promoting.
• Hosting and Disney Projects: She recently hosted a celebratory event for Disney, confirming her continued involvement with the studio on various upcoming projects, including the mention of Toy Story 5 (2026).
• Community: The Movie: Brown was one of the first to confirm her return, stating she is "on board" to reprise her role.

Ken Jeong (Ben Chang) – The Film and Game Show Regular

The actor who brought the chaotic and unpredictable Ben Chang to life, Ken Jeong, continues his successful run as a game show panelist and film actor:

• The Man with the Bag (Upcoming Film): Jeong is confirmed to star in the upcoming film The Man with the Bag, a major project that also features Alan Ritchson and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
• My Spy: The Eternal City: He recently starred in the sequel to the 2020 film My Spy.
• The Masked Singer: Jeong continues to serve as a popular panelist on the hit reality competition show.

Jim Rash (Dean Craig Pelton) – The Oscar-Winning Screenwriter

The Oscar-winning screenwriter (for The Descendants) and actor behind the Dean of Greendale, Jim Rash, continues to balance acting with his writing and directing career:

• Community: The Movie Update: Rash has been the source of some of the most recent updates on the film, stating in a late 2025 interview that he is "hoping next year" for filming to begin.
• Recent Film: He appeared in the 2024 film Fly Me to the Moon.
• Writing/Directing: Rash continues to work on projects with his writing partner, Nat Faxon, after their success with The Way, Way Back.

The Community Movie: Status and Confirmed Cast (December 2025)

The phrase "Six Seasons and a Movie" has been the ultimate fan wish, and the latest news confirms that the project is closer than ever to fruition, with significant updates coming in 2025.

Pre-Production and Funding

The Community movie was officially ordered by Peacock in September 2022, but the production timeline was significantly impacted by the Hollywood strikes. As of December 2025, the film is in Pre-Production status.

• Script Status: The script, penned by series creator Dan Harmon and Andrew Guest, is complete. Ken Jeong revealed in a recent interview that he read the script and it was so moving that it made him cry.
• Filming Timeline: While a 2025 release is no longer possible, the cast, including Jim Rash, has expressed optimism that filming could begin "next year" (2026).
• The Greenlight: Dan Harmon confirmed that the project is funded and has received California film incentives, a major step forward.

The Confirmed Cast Reunion

One of the most exciting updates is the confirmation of the return of nearly the entire core ensemble, a crucial element for the film's success. The confirmed returning cast includes:

• Joel McHale (Jeff Winger)
• Alison Brie (Annie Edison)
• Danny Pudi (Abed Nadir)
• Gillian Jacobs (Britta Perry)
• Yvette Nicole Brown (Shirley Bennett)
• Ken Jeong (Ben Chang)
• Jim Rash (Dean Craig Pelton)
• Donald Glover (Troy Barnes): Glover’s return is officially confirmed, which was a critical piece of news for fans, ensuring the reunion is complete.

The Enduring Topical Authority of Community

The continued interest in the Community actors and the movie is a testament to the show's enduring topical authority and its influence on modern comedy. The series, which aired from 2009 to 2015 across NBC and Yahoo Screen, pioneered a style of meta-humor and genre parody that influenced countless shows that followed. The cast's ability to pivot between the show's high-concept episodes (like the famous paintball wars or the documentary-style episodes) and genuine emotional moments has made them highly versatile and successful in their post-Greendale careers.

The actors are not just resting on their laurels; they are actively shaping the entertainment landscape. Joel McHale’s success in both comedy and hosting, Alison Brie’s move into prestige drama and horror, and Donald Glover’s multi-platform dominance prove that the talent assembled by creator Dan Harmon was truly a lightning-in-a-bottle situation. The movie is not just a nostalgic reunion; it's a convergence of major stars taking time out of their busy, successful careers to finish the story they started. The excitement surrounding the Community movie, with its 2026 filming hopes, ensures that the Greendale legacy is far from over.