Scream: where are the actors from the first movie?

The sixth installment of the 'Scream' franchise hit our screens this year, with new stars and the old favorites - but this time, Ghostface is serious.

21-year-old Wednesday star Jenna Ortega returns for her second 'Scream' film along with Melissa Barrera; the 'Heroes' star Hayden Panettiere; and the Australian actress and model, Samara Weaving.

The franchise had a 10-year break until 2022 when it returned with 'Scream 5.' Fresh faces and original characters brought the franchise back to life. It was, of course, the first in the series not to be directed by Wes Craven.

While the 2022 movie gave us a bunch of fresh-faced possible victims, there were also some of our old favorites - people Ghostface just can't seem to kill.

But what about the original cast of the first 'Scream' movie in 1996? What are they up to now? And who from the original films returned for the revival?

Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) Gale Weathers (Courteney Cox) Dewey Riley (David Arquette): these are the three lead characters who returned for another duel with Ghostface. However, only Cox returns in movie number 6.

Sidney returned. Between 1996 and 1997, Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson reinvented the teen horror genre. More than 25 years later, 'Scream' and 'Scream 2' released a fifth sequel that features many of the original stars.

Neve Campbell played Sidney Prescott, a horror film legend. The Canadian actress was 23 years old when she made her debut in the saga and, after 25 years, she has kept her looks and even her hairstyle. The actress will continue to act but told Digital Spy, 'I did not feel that what I was being offered equated to the value that I bring to this franchise, and have brought to this franchise, for 25 years'.

Skeet Ulrich was 26 when he stepped into the shoes of Billy Loomis. At the time, his face had decorated the folders, walls and the inside of lockers of millions of fans. A teen idol to many.

In 2017, 'Riverdale' revived this actor who had disappeared for a while. He has kept in shape and, even over 50, he still looks like a teenage idol.

Yes, the same year that Sarah Michelle Gellar made her debut in 'Scream 2' she began her role as Buffy. Undoubtedly, a memorable date for her and for Hollywood. Two legendary characters in less than 12 months when she had only just entered her twenties.

It's safe to say that Sarah Michelle Gellar still continues to light up a room. She released a cookbook and is off on other ventures now, but we would love to see her back on the screen with a lead role.

She was going to play Sidney Prescott and be the main character in the saga, but the actress was determined to be Casey Becker and have her character die in a matter of minutes. She was 21 when her scream scene became the stuff of horror film legend.

Despite appearing in only two scenes, Drew Barrymore was, is and will remain the iconic image of the 'Scream' saga. Without her, nothing would have been the same. Today, she has put her personal problems far behind her and has a solid career in Hollywood.

Gale will return for the 2023 instalment of the franchise. Courteney Cox was 32 when she created Gale Weathers, the hard-hitting journalist covering the murders. At the time, the actress was already a star thanks to 'Friends'.

Though Monica Geller was unbeatable, Gale Weathers came close to being just as memorable in Cox's CV. 25 years later, the actress has separated from David Arquette and her face has changed somewhat. But her charisma remains intact.

Dewey also came back tot he franchise in 2022. Agent Dewey Riley was only 25 years old in 'Scream' and his inexperience showed. Despite this, he had the guts to save his loved ones. Well, some of them.

The years are noticeable in David Arquette, who has just passed the half-century mark. But of course, combining film, television and wrestling takes its toll. The actor boasts a lot of work over the years, even if not in the best Hollywood productions.

It was clear to Craven and Williamson that having a star like Henry Winkler had only one motivation: to kill him. So they did, and the High School principal perishes in a tremendous scene in the saga. Not so Happy Days.

Now in his late 70's, the actor is still in top form and is still part of one of the most acclaimed series from the last few years: 'Barry'.

If in the first instalment it was Drew Barrymore, in the second it is Maureen Evans, Jada Pinkett's character, who makes the most memorable death. She ends up being eliminated in the cinema, in a room full of people who think it is a promotional event. Truly brilliant moment in the saga.

The actress was 26 years old when she landed her role in 'Scream 2'. Her role lasted only a few minutes but remained in her memory. Today, in her fifties, she is best known on TV, thanks to 'Red Table Talk'. Well, and her continuous family scandals.

His character was in charge of telling the infamous rules of how to proceed in horror films. He demonstrated that his rules were being followed, at the pace set by the killers. He was 26 years old when he played Randy Meeks.

These days, a beard and 25 years of hectic existence make it rather difficult to recognise good old Jamie Kennedy. Still working, Kennedy has focused on smaller projects including Mini series and podcasts.

He came to 'Scream 2' at the age of 23 as a Hollywood star, to play Derek. In fact, he was given star treatment, becoming Sidney's new boyfriend and, obviously, the prime suspect in the new crimes.

The years are indeed noticeable, but he's still got it: and he has a great head of hair (although the style is still from from the nineties). Perhaps his star has faded over the years, although his filmography is impressive.

At the age of 29, Liev Schreiber, with his villainous aura, played the man responsible (or not) for the murder of the lead character's mother. He was another suspect in all the films in which he participated.

With some big films and of course the hugely successful series, 'Ray Donavan' under his belt, Liev Schreiber has never been short of work.

He was 26 years old, the perfect face to be Shaggy in 'Scooby Doo' (as he would later become) but also to play a serial killer. Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson were spot on in casting Matthew Lillard.

For obvious reasons, he didn't have continuity in the saga, but that has been enough for him to keep working ever since and to voice Shaggy everywhere he has appeared. And, physically, he's a different man!

At 25, he was also a well-known figure as an actor, but also as a singer. He played Maureen's boyfriend and they were both killed in the mythical film scene in 'Scream 2'.

His face has rounded out but he's not doing badly. Between 2004 and 2012 he played Eric Foreman in 'Dr. House', one of the best series of the 21st century.

She was 24 years old, just starting her acting career, and had a minor role in 'Scream 2' which was obviously her launching pad.

After 'Scream' came fame with 'Ally McBeal'.
Then she took her foot off the pedal, so to speak. 'Arrested Development' and 'Santa Clarita Diet' have been her latest works.

Like Portia De Rossi, it was her third role in Hollywood and 'Scream 2' helped her become known to the general public. She was 26 years old.

Her career has not been as prolific as one might expect, although Tarantino gave her a role among the Manson Family in his 'Once Upon a Time in... Hollywood'.

Dewey's sister was 25 years old, despite playing a high school student. Tatum Riley was Sidney's best friend, until she was no longer Sidney's best friend because of her sudden death: trapped in the automatic garage door.

She is well remembered in television history, thanks to her role as Paige Matthews in 'Charmed'. She has recently been in the news for her commitment to the #MeToo movement.

It's rare not to see the actor in a cowboy hat, but in 'Scream 2' he was out of place. Mickey, one of Sidney's new friends, turned out to have a big secret hidden for most of the film.

From 'Scream 2' to the present day, Timothy Olyphant has had time to become a Hollywood star and certainly not lost his looks nor his charm.