The Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers Cast: Then and Now

(SPOT.ph) Are you ready to morph into nostalgia? The Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers have made their way back to the small screen, this time on Netflix. For those who grew up in the '90s, the colorful and action-packed adventures of Jason, Zack, Kimberly, Billy, Trini, and Tommy will forever hold a special place in our hearts. And to prep for the return of the show, we take a look at what happened to the original cast. We take a trip down memory lane and catch up with the Mighty Morphin’ cast. Get ready to feel like a kid again as we relive the memories and discover what our favorite Power Rangers have been up to since their time battling Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd. It's morphin' time!

Also read: 10 Tagalized Cartoons That Will Make You Miss Your Childhood

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Cast: A Glimpse After the Series

Austin St. John, who played Jason Lee Scott (Red Ranger)

Played by actor Austin St. John, Jason is the leader of the Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers. Years after his stint in the series, reports in 2022 circulated that he had been indicted for allegedly committing fraud in relation to business relief programs rolled out by the government during the pandemic. Not a very heroic act. Still, a look at his Twitter account shows that the now paramedic is still remains active in the entertainment business, making appearances at comic cons across the globe. 

Rocco de Santos (Steve Cardenas) replaced him in the Netflix special. Cardenas also plays Zeo Ranger III Blue in Power Rangers Zeo, the rebranded version of the OG series.

Walter Emanuel Jones, who played Zack Taylor (Black Ranger)

Played by actor Walter Emanuel Jones, Zack is the smooth-talking and charismatic member of the team. Jones left the show midway through the second season due to a contract dispute, but he later returned for a few guest appearances, including this Netflix special reunion.

Adam Park (Johnny Yong Bosch), the second black ranger, is also bound to have a special appearance in the show.

Amy Jo Johnson, who played Kimberly Ann Hart (Pink Ranger)

Played by actress Amy Jo Johnson, Kimberly is Zack's love interest in season one, but later on becomes Jason's speculated love interest in season two. After leaving the show, Johnson continued to act and has appeared in a number of popular television shows, including Felicity (1998). She is still making waves in the showbiz industry until now—not as an actress but as a TV director.

The production team originally lined her up as part of the Power Rangers special, but fans can’t help but notice she’s not in the actual Netflix show. She later on revealed that she had to beg off due to personal reasons. Still, it looks like she's working on a Power Rangers comic book too!

Catherine Sutherland succeeded Johnson as the second pink ranger, Katherine Hillard. Similar to Kimberly, Katherine is well-known for her ballerina moves, having a black belt in karate, and a warm heart for her friends. We can also see her show off her charisma and wit during the Netflix reunion special.

David Yost, who played Billy Cranston (Blue Ranger)

Played by actor David Yost, Billy is the techie member of the group who's into nerdy stuff. He has the longest-running stint among all the members of the group, having been a part of the show for about four seasons. That's roughly 200 episodes. To say that's a lot is quite an understatement. Now, we get to see this OG don his old costume in the Netflix reunion.

Yost went through a lot after his Mighty Morphin' days. He worked behind the scenes on other shows; When Power Rangers Zeo started, he was given a different role, this time a technical advisor—but it looks like he walked off set one day. He alleged that he was being harassed due to his sexual orientation, having officially come out as gay in 2010.

Thuy Trang, who played Trini Kwan (Yellow Ranger)

Played by actress Thuy Trang, Trini is the quiet and reserved member of the group. Trang tragically passed away in a car accident in 2001 at the age of 27, cutting short what could have been a promising career. In the Netflix series, Aisha Campbell (Karan Ashley) takes Trini's place as the second yellow ranger.

For this Power Rangers special, Mihn (Charlie Kersh) plays the role of Trini's teenage daughter. It is later revealed that Rita Repulsa (Barbara Goodson) killed the first yellow ranger.

Jason David Frank, who played Tommy Oliver (Green/White Ranger)

Played by actor Jason David Frank, Tommy is initially introduced as the evil Green Ranger before later joining the bunch as the White Ranger. Unfortunately, he also died in November 2022 due to suicide. He was 49 years old at the time.

Bittersweet fact: This Power Ranger special pays a special tribute to Thuy Trang and Jason David Frank, who both passed on but continues to live on in our childhood memories just the same.

Overall, the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers have left a lasting impact on pop culture, and their recent resurgence on Netflix is a testament to their enduring popularity. Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to the series, the show's themes of teamwork, friendship, and fighting for what's right continue to resonate with viewers of all ages.

Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers: Once & Always dropped on Netflix on April 19, in time for the 30th anniversary of the franchise.