After Fox’s hit musical dramedy Glee axed four of its recurring members, they added five more in their place.
Nearing the beginning of production for the show’s fifth season, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Glee has promoted Melissa Benoist (Marley), Jacob Artist (Jake), Becca Tobin (Kitty), and The Glee Project alums Blake Jenner (Ryder Lynn) and Alex Newell (Unique Adams).
This news broke out just days after four other beloved Glee members - Heather Morris (Brittany), Mark Salling (Puck), Amber Riley (Mercedes), Harry Shum Jr. (Mike) - were demoted from series regulars to occasional guest stars.
Benoist’s character Marley is considered “The New Rachel,” an heir to Lea Michele’s Rachel, while Artist’s character Jake is the half brother of Puck and a rough around the edges character who finds he has a big heart for acoustic love songs, dancing, and Marley. Meanwhile, Kitty is the heir to Dianna Agron’s Quinn Fabray (who was demoted from series regular status in season four), a mean girl cheerleader who finds her home with the Glee club.
The Glee Project alum and season one runner-up, Alex Newell, first appeared in season three of Glee, as Wade “Unique” Adams, a transgender trying to be a girl. The Glee Project season two winner, Blake Jenner joined the cast in season four alongside Benoist, Artist, and Tobin. Jenner plays the handsome, clean-cut good boy resembling Cory Monteith’s character Finn.
Though we’re sad to see some of our old favorites go, we’re just as happy to welcome the new cast members into the Glee family.
Image: Fox