Man, Cartoon Network was in a weird spot back in 2011. They were trying so hard to make live-action "happen" alongside their heavy hitters like Adventure Time. Then came Level Up. It started as a movie, then a show, and honestly, if you were a gamer kid at the time, it was kind of a big deal. The whole "video game monsters leaking into the real world" trope wasn't new, but the Level Up 2011 cast actually had this chemistry that made it work.
They weren't just random actors. They felt like a real group of dorks.
Looking back now, it’s wild to see where everyone ended up. Some stayed in the industry, while others basically vanished from the spotlight. If you’re trying to track down the Level Up 2011 cast today, you’re going to find a mix of big-budget voice acting, indie films, and some surprisingly quiet lives.
The Core Four: Where are they now?
Gaelan Connell played Wyatt, the resident "pro gamer" who took everything way too seriously. He was basically the glue. Before Level Up, he had that role in Bandslam, so he was already a bit of a teen star. But after the show ended in 2013? Gaelan kinda pivoted. He didn't just stick to being in front of the camera. He got deep into the behind-the-scenes world. He actually co-founded a company called ChatSpike and has been working heavily in the marketing and tech space. It’s a classic move—child star finds out they’re actually really good at business.
Then you’ve got Connor Del Rio. He played Dante, the wild card. Dante was the guy who would literally do anything for a laugh, and Connor played him with this frantic energy that was hard to ignore. Since the show wrapped, Connor has been a working actor in the truest sense. You might have spotted him in The Purge: Anarchy or doing guest spots on various shows. He’s kept that quirky energy, often taking roles that lean into his comedic timing.
The Fighter and the Mage
Jessie T. Usher is probably the biggest breakout from the Level Up 2011 cast. He played Lyle, the football star who was secretly a huge nerd. Honestly, it’s funny looking at him then versus now. Today, the world knows him as A-Train from The Boys. He went from fighting digital monsters on Cartoon Network to playing a morally bankrupt speedster on one of the biggest shows on streaming. He also stepped into Will Smith's shoes for the Independence Day sequel. He’s the clear "winner" in terms of mainstream Hollywood success.
Aimee Carrero played Angie. She was the one who wasn't even supposed to be part of the gaming group but ended up being the most competent one. Aimee is everywhere. If you don't recognize her face, you definitely recognize her voice. She was Princess Adora in She-Ra and the Princesses of Power and the lead in Elena of Avalor. She also had a massive role in the 2022 film The Menu.
She’s built a massive career.
Why the Level Up 2011 Cast worked so well
It wasn't just the main four kids. The supporting cast, specifically the "villains" and the adults, added this layer of camp that worked for 2011 television.
- Lonny Ross as Ginger: He was already known from 30 Rock, and he brought that same "is this guy okay?" energy to the show.
- George Faughnan as Maldark: Let's be real, Maldark was a legitimately creepy villain for a kid's show. George played it straight, which made the comedy from the kids pop even more.
The show only lasted two seasons. People forget that. It felt longer because Cartoon Network ran the movie and the episodes on a loop. But in those two seasons, that cast managed to build a cult following that still talks about the show on Reddit today. They had this "us against the world" vibe that resonated with kids who felt like their hobbies were misunderstood by their parents.
The "Leaked" Video Game Aesthetic
The whole premise was that these kids played a game called Maldark: Conqueror of All Worlds. When they accidentally opened a portal, the game’s "glitches" became real. It was a very specific era of CGI. It wasn't great, but it didn't have to be.
The Level Up 2011 cast had to do a lot of "acting at nothing," which is hard for young actors. Jessie T. Usher once mentioned in an interview how much he learned about technical acting on that set. It was basically a boot camp for the green-screen-heavy career he has now. You can't play a superhero in The Boys without knowing how to react to a tennis ball on a stick representing a monster.
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The Legacy of the Show
Why do people still search for the Level Up 2011 cast? It’s nostalgia, sure, but it’s also because Level Up was one of the last gasps of a specific type of live-action programming on Cartoon Network. Shortly after, the network pivoted almost entirely back to animation.
The show was weird. It was loud. It was very "early 2010s."
But the cast was genuinely talented. Most of them didn't fall into the "child star trap" of disappearing or ending up in the tabloids. They just... kept working. Or they moved on to things they liked better.
What to watch if you miss them
If you’re feeling nostalgic and want to see what the Level Up 2011 cast is doing now, here’s the roadmap.
For Jessie T. Usher, go straight to The Boys on Amazon Prime. It is the polar opposite of Level Up. It’s violent, dark, and cynical. Seeing "Lyle" as A-Train is a trip. For Aimee Carrero, check out The Menu. She plays the assistant to John Leguizamo's character, and she’s fantastic. It shows her range beyond just "the girl in the group."
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If you want to see Connor Del Rio, look for his indie projects. He’s stayed very true to that "alternative" comedy scene.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the history of this show or keep up with the actors, here is what you should actually do:
- Check IMDb Pro (or the free version): Seriously, if you want to see the bit-players from the show, their filmographies are the only way to track them. Many of the "monsters" were played by local Vancouver actors who are now in every Hallmark movie ever made.
- Follow Aimee Carrero on Social Media: She’s one of the most active members of the former cast and often shares insights into her voice-acting work. It’s a great way to see the "pro" side of the industry.
- Search for the "Never-Aired" Pilot: There are snippets of different versions of the Level Up concept online. Seeing how the cast evolved from the initial pitch to the final series is a masterclass in how TV production changes things.
- Support their Indie Work: Actors like Connor Del Rio often work on smaller projects that need the views more than a Marvel movie does.
The Level Up 2011 cast represents a very specific moment in time. They were the bridge between the "old" Cartoon Network and the modern era of multi-platform media. While the show might be a footnote in TV history for some, for the people who watched it, that cast will always be the original crew that took down Maldark.