Disney is revisiting one of its most unique book-to-film adaptations with a new series version of Holes, and this time, it’s bringing a fresh perspective to the familiar desert setting.
The new Disney+ project is a reimagining of Louis Sachar’s 1998 novel, and while the heart of the story remains the same—mystery, consequences, and a whole lot of digging—fans can expect a very different dynamic this time around.
In the original film adaptation released in 2003, Holes followed Stanley Yelnats, a teenage boy wrongfully sent to Camp Green Lake, a dusty juvenile detention center where boys were forced to dig holes all day. The 2003 film became something of a cult classic, praised for its faithful interpretation of the novel and its memorable performances from Shia LaBeouf, Khleo Thomas, Sigourney Weaver, and Jon Voight.
Fast forward to 2025, and Disney is now giving the story new life by turning it into a Disney+ series with a mostly female cast, starting with the main character. Instead of Stanley, the story centers on Hayley, a teenage girl who ends up at a similar desert camp. Just like in the original, the campers are forced to dig holes daily, but the reason why is still cloaked in mystery.
Meet the New Holes Cast
The lead role of Hayley will be played by Shay Rudolph, known for her work on The Baby-Sitters Club. Greg Kinnear (As Good As It Gets) has been cast as The Warden, the camp’s elusive and controlling authority figure. Aidy Bryant (Saturday Night Live) steps in as Sissy, a role that’s expected to blend comedic flair with complexity.
Other cast members include:
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Flor Delis Alicea as Queenie, the assertive and emotionally guarded leader of the campers.
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Anire Kim Amoda as Thumbelina, described as bold and unafraid—even of the Warden.
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Iesha Daniels as Mars, a brainy and charismatic camper who has earned a reputation as a flirt within the group.
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Sophie Dieterlen as Sticky, a dreamy, fashion-loving girl who surprises others with her focus when it matters.
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Alexandra Doke as Eyeball, a quirky, artistic type who brings humor to tense moments.
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Maeve Press as Shrimp, the smallest and youngest of the group, known for her blunt and socially awkward nature.
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Noah Cottrell is also part of the cast, though his role has not been fully detailed.
A New Look at a Familiar Story
This series aims to reinterpret the core elements of Holes through a different lens. While the setting—a desert detention camp—and the central mystery remain consistent, the shift in characters and gender makeup will likely bring out different emotional beats and interactions. According to early details, the series still centers around the enigmatic purpose behind the daily digging, but this time it’s Hayley, not Stanley, who is piecing together the clues.
Disney hasn’t revealed whether the series will maintain the multi-generational, flashback-heavy storytelling that the original novel and film featured, but with Walden Media returning as producers (they were also behind the 2003 movie), there’s reason to expect some structural echoes of the past. Writer Alina Mankin is penning the new script, and Liz Phang will serve as both showrunner and executive producer.
You know, this should be an insult to females everywhere. Tells the world that women always have to walk in the shadow of men and are capable of nothing new and original.