Who are the new emotions in Inside Out 2? (original) (raw)

Ready to be hit in the feels again? Pixar's Inside Out 2 is streaming on Disney+ now after making box office history and winning critical acclaim.

For the uninitiated, the $1.6bn-grossing animated sequel takes us back inside the mind of teenager Riley, as she juggles emotions like Joy, Anger and Sadness before starting high school.

The cast is packed with returning stars from 2015's original Inside Out, led by Parks & Recreation's Amy Poehler. The sequel also adds new characters voiced by actors from Stranger Things, The Bear and Cruella, while there's a cameo from a UK reality star.

But who are these voices behind the film? As Pixar dives back into messy world of our feelings, here's everything you need to know about the Inside Out 2 cast.

Ayo Edebiri brings Envy to life in the animated sequel. (Getty/Pixar)

Pixar's Inside Out 2 introduces new names to the animated franchise, thanks to the addition of four extra emotions: Anxiety, Envy, Ennui and Embarrassment.

Maya Hawke, from Netflix's sci-fi mega-hit Stranger Things, voices the jittery orange antagonist, Anxiety. The actor said she related to the character, as she herself has anxiety, and was able to "let her free, and give her free reign in this role".

The Bear's Ayo Edebiri has a scene-stealing turn as Envy, while French actor Adèle Exarchopoulos brings Ennui to life. Paul Walter Hauser, from Disney prequel Cruella, voices Embarrassment.

Blue is the Warmest Colour star Adèle Exarchopoulos plays Ennui. (Getty/Pixar)

Oscar nominee June Squibb has a brief cameo as Nostalgia, who tries and fails to join the main emotions – because Riley isn't old enough to feel nostalgic. Squibb previously voiced characters in Soul and Toy Story 4.

Several emotions were cut from Inside Out 2, including Guilt, Jealousy and Shame, the latter because it would have made the film "too dark". But these could well appear in Inside Out 3 if Pixar green-lights another entry in the franchise.

Which emotions are back for Inside Out 2?

Parks & Recreation star Amy Poehler reprises her role as Joy. (Getty/Pixar)

The returning cast of Inside Out 2 is led by Amy Poehler, who voices the perky, blue-haired Joy. The actor rose to fame on Saturday Night Live, but she is likely best known to UK audiences as Leslie Knope in mockumentary Parks & Recreation.

The US Office's Phyllis Smith and comedian Lewis Black reprise their roles as Sadness and Anger retrospectively.

But Mindy Kaling and Bill Hader are not part of the sequel, despite starring in the original Inside Out. The Equalizer's Liza Lapira replaces Kaling as the voice of Disgust, while Tony Hale provides the voice of Fear, instead of Hader. Hale is no stranger to the Pixar universe after playing Forky in Toy Story 4.

Tony Hale replaced Bill Hader as the voice of Fear in Inside Out 2. (Getty/Pixar)

It's unclear why Kaling and Hader were recast, although reports have pointed to alleged disputes over their salaries. Producer Mark Nielson told LADbible that Pixar tried "to get their original cast together" but said "it doesn't always work out", without going into any detail.

While the film was in production, Kaling simply said: "I had a great time working on Inside Out and am sure Inside Out 2’ will be great. But I'm not working on it."

Who else is the Inside Out 2 cast?

Kensington Tallman voices Riley in the latest Pixar film. (Getty/Pixar)

Child actor Kensington Tallman is the new voice behind Riley, taking over from Kaitlyn Dias, as our teen protagonist grapples with her warring emotions. Twin Peaks legend Kyle MacLachlan and Man of Steel's Diane Lane are back as Riley's parents.

Other returning stars include The Muppets' Frank Oz, Monsters University actor Bobby Moynihan, and Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea.

John Ratzenberger also pops up in Inside Out 2, voicing Fritz. The actor has had roles in almost every Pixar film since 1995's Toy Story, and is considered the studio's "good-luck charm".

Newcomers to the cast include Community's Yvette-Nicole Brown, who plays Riley's hockey coach, while Sumayyah Nuriddin-Green and Grace Lu provide the vocals for her best pals. Her new school's star hockey player is voiced by Lilimar Hernandez.

Saturday Night Live's James Austin Johnson is another new addition to the franchise, as is YouTube creator Yong Yea. Made in Chelsea star Sam Thompson has a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo as a security guard.

Who directed Inside Out 2?

Poehler with Pete Docter (left) and Inside Out 2 director Kelsey Mann (right). (Getty for Disney)

Inside Out 2 was helmed by first-time director Kelsey Mann, who worked behind the scenes on Pixar films The Good Dinosaur, Monsters University, Lightyear and Onward.

Pixar's chief creative officer Pete Docter, who directed the original film, served as executive producer. He also helmed Monsters, Inc., Up and Soul, three of the studio's most beloved releases. The script was penned by Meg LeFauve, who co-wrote the first Inside Out with Josh Cooley and Docter.

Docter first discussed the prospect of Inside Out 2 in 2015, saying: "Never say never." In 2016, he said he would "explore" possible ideas for a sequel and "see what happens".

Fans' hopes were dashed when Pixar announced it would focus on developing original films, rather than sequels, after the release of 2019's Toy Story 4. But the studio changed tack by releasing a Toy Story spin-off, Lightyear, in 2022, paving the way for Inside Out 2 to enter production.

Inside Out 2 is streaming on Disney+ now