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Just when you think a character is going down a familiar path, he or she veers and winds up in a much different place.

Stony Blyden, who plays Trey, assumed he would be dealing with internalized anger, frustration and jealousy and got a wakeup call midway through the season. “He’s kind of forced to channel that in a more positive and courageous way.�

Likewise, Elijah M. Cooper’s CJ.

“He goes from this kind of slip-up jokester guy to this character who trusts himself to be a leader, someone people can depend on,� he says. “That also happens for other characters in the series.�

When they were first called to read for the eerie Disney series, the actors said they were asked to play different roles – most prominently, the twins who appear front and center in the story.

Galilea La Salvia, who plays Frankie, was considered for Cece, Jayden Bartels’ character. Blyden was seen for Cooper’s.

When the dust settled, they all got roles, just not the ones they thought they were in line for.

“Our show runners were looking for people more than characters,� La Salvia says. “I think they did a good job at placing us and just liking us for who we are.�

In the series, they’re all friends of Cece and Devin, twins who have moved to New York with their father, played by David Schwimmer.

He has a list of rules for the teens and insight into some mystery that swirls around their house. As the five look into a case from the 1990s, they discover there could be a connection.

“When we’re filming, we don’t have all the special effects,� Blyden says. “So, we’re just acting to golf balls and darkness and nothing. And then when you see it on screen, it’s kind of crazy.�

“It’s very, very spooky,� La Salvia adds.

Because the three represent distinct character types, “The Vanishing� “reflects teenage life,� Cooper says, “what it means to go through struggles, what it means to find yourself and become yourself.�

In the process, La Salvia says, viewers should understand it’s not good to give into peer pressure.

“Every one of the monsters we face represents a real-life issue. You need to be brave and face your fears.�

The series also teaches the importance of friends, Cooper says. “All of our characters lean on each other throughout the series.�

Another group of friends – ones Schwimmer embraced years ago – played an important part in Blyden’s life.

The Icelandic actor, rapper and singer says he learned English by watching “Friends.�

“That was a massive part of my upbringing,� he admits. While he didn’t share the connection when he first met Schwimmer, he insists he’ll share the news when they promote the series.

Quickly, La Salvia hits some of Ross’s highlights – “Pivot,� “We’re on a break,� she offers – and concedes plenty can be learned from Schwimmer.

His character’s advice about staying out of the basement. Heed it, she says. “It’s just like this ominous space."

“Goosebumps: The Vanishing� is now airing on Disney+.