Prom Pact, the charming new Disney teen comedy set to be released at the end of March, is packed full of talented actors giving hilarious performances.
Set (unsurprisingly) in the thick of prom season, a host of famous faces and new names tell the story of Mandy and her similarly unpopular friend Ben. The outcasts are horrified as the rest of their senior class dives right into terrible eighties themed, cliche behavior – cringey prom-proposals included. Mandy, however, is focused on getting into Harvard, but when she discovers she’s been put on the waitlist, she makes it her mission to turn that into an acceptance, even though that means getting help from laid back, popular jock Graham, whose dad just happens to be a senator and alum at her dream school. But the more she gets to know Graham, the more Mandy begins to realize becoming a Harvard student isn’t the most important thing in the world.
If you’re looking forward to the release of the film and want to know where we’ve seen the cast of Disney Plus’ Prom Pact before, then read ahead!
Mandy Yang – Peyton Elizabeth Lee
Disney alum Peyton Elizabeth Lee plays the starring role of Mandy in Prom Pact. A sardonic but smart lead, Lee’s character is determined to get into Harvard, at the cost of almost everything else in her life.
Lee was born in New York and has been working in showbiz since she was 10, following in the footsteps of her dad actor Andrew Tinpo Lee. The talented younger Lee made her name in the Disney Channel show Andi Mack, though prior to that she had roles in huge productions like Shameless and Scandal. Lee also had a part as Rani in the Disney Junior animated series The Lion Guard, appearing in nine episodes, and stars in the Doogie Howser reboot Doogie Kamealoha as the titular character, the second season of which is set to also come out in March 2023. A busy month indeed!
Ben – Milo Manheim
Mandy’s best friend Ben is played by yet another actor familiar to Disney viewers: Milo Manheim. Slightly cheerier than his Harvard obsessed co-star, Ben is worried he’s let good times slip away and is keen to rectify that before graduating.
An L.A native, Manheim was a prodigious musician in his youth, growing up playing the drums, guitar, piano, and other instruments. His acting career began early as he starred in musicals across the city, which is no surprise given his mother is the television actress Carolyn Manheim. His first on-screen break was in the series Ghost Whisperer, and he began collecting awards early, winning the Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role prize at the New York Musical Theater Festival while still a teen.
His Disney break came in the television film Zombies, which has already spawned two sequels. He reached a widespread audience when he showed off his twinkle toes on season 27 of Dancing with the Stars, waltzing his way into second place.
Graham Lansing – Blake Draper
The first relative unknown star of Prom Pact in this list, Aussie heartthrob Blake Draper plays Graham, the popular, athletic hate-then-love interest for main character Mandy. Although she considers him a privileged meathead, she soon learns he has a lot more depth than she ever anticipated.
This is Draper’s first huge project in America, although he has appeared in the Australian mini-series Bad Mothers. He also had a small, single episode part in the well regarded Netflix series Clickbait.
Ms Chen – Margaret Cho
Stand up, actress, and activist Margaret Cho has done it all. In Prom Pact she plays the sarcastic college counselor Ms Chen, making full use of her incredible comic timing to make sure a full of herself Mandy doesn’t completely sink under the weight of her own head.
Cho began her comedy career in the nineties and had startling success, being one of the first Asian-American faces people in the country could easily recognize. After troubles with addiction, she shot back into the public eye with her incredible stand up show I’m the One That I Want, and the critically acclaimed set helped her to get a cameo on Sex and the City. Her comedy and acting star rose, and she even got her own scripted reality show on VH1, The Cho Show. Since then, she’s continued to sell out stadiums, cameo on iconic shows like 30 Rock and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and even make music. All the while she’s been sweeping up the awards and fighting for the LGBTQ rights and other liberal causes – and made it into Sharknado 5: Global Swarming.
Mrs Lansing – Chelah Horsdal
Playing the role of Graham’s mom is Chelah Horsdal, a Canadian actress whose father is the folk singer Valdy. Her career began in modelling, but she soon moved into acting. She’s played in a variety of roles, including commercials, but you’d most likely know her from the Amazon Prime show The Man in the High Castle, where she appeared in 35 episodes. Eagle-eyed readers would have also noticed her in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, X-Men: The Last Stand, and Cabin in the Woods, all of which she had small roles in.
Senator Lansing – Christopher Shyer
The whole premise of Prom Pact rests on Mandy convincing Senator Lansing – Christopher Shyer – to write her a letter of recommendation for Harvard, and the Canadian actor plays the straight man well. He’s a familiar face from guest roles on shows like CSI: Miami, NCIS, and The Good Wife, but also appeared in 21 episodes of ABC show V. Dedicated musical fans may also recognize him from his time as Sam in Mamma Mia on Broadway.
Tom Yang – David S Jung
Mandy’s embarrassingly loving dad Tom is played by David S Jung. The comedic actor is a familiar face from small roles on some huge shows, including Brooklyn Nine-Nine and I Think You Should Leave, but viewers might recognize his voice from Bojack Horseman, Family Guy, and American Dad!. He’s also been in plenty of commercials, was once one of the best air guitarists in the world, and is a pretty successful stand up, touring all over the country to sold out crowds and even appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Alyssa Yang – Wendi McLendon-Covey
The role of Mandy’s doting mother Alyssa is performed by Canadian-American actress Wendi McLendon-Covey. She’s been nominated for Best Actress twice at the Critics’ Choice Television Awards for her role in ABC’s The Goldbergs, but you might also know her from her work in the infamous improv comedy troupe The Groundlings. Although a relatively successful actress in the 2000s, she really came to prominence with her role in 2011’s Bridesmaids, followed sharply by a recurring role in the successful sitcom Rules of Engagement. This isn’t her first Disney role, either: she appeared in Wizards of Waverly Place all the way back in 2009.
Published: Mar 1, 2023 05:27 pm