Justin Berfield, who had long since retired from acting in 2010, chose to come out of retirement specifically to do this sequel series as Reese and have a reunion with his onscreen family again after 20 years.
Erik Per Sullivan, who had retired from acting all the way back in 2010, had been approached to reprise his role as Dewey for this sequel series but ultimately declined, having no desire to return to acting. Sullivan in the past had also not been present for cast and crew reunions even though he keeps in touch with them. Jane Kaczmarek, who plays his onscreen mother Lois and whom he is still in contact with, commented that Sullivan wishes to remain out of the public eye and maintain his privacy, and that he is now studying Victorian literature at an unnamed university.
Gary Anthony Williams accidentally revealed on Instagram that he was reprising his role as Abe.