Netflix's Space Force season 2 cast keeps most of the original lineup intact but also features brand new characters and some surprise guest stars. Marking Steve Carell and Greg Daniels' reunion project after working on the hit sitcom The Office, the workplace comedy focuses on General Mark Naird (Carell) and his attempt to properly establish Space Force. As the sixth branch of the United States Armed Forces, Space Force focuses on the country's attempt at furthering its galactic explorations.
The Space Force season 1 finale ended on a high note, as Naird ends up reuniting with his daughter, Erin (Diana Silvers) and wife, Maggie (Lisa Kudrow). But while the show's first season featured more diverse storytelling, tackling various smaller plotlines, Space Force season 2 is more focused on tackling Naird's attempt to continue running the branch amidst the new administration's budget cuts. And it all feels smaller because there are only seven episodes compared to season 1's 10 episodes.
Given this, Space Force season 2 was properly able to develop the dynamic among Naird's team. Individually, their arcs were also given ample screentime, which is a good thing for those who want to learn more about them. But aside from its core Space Force cast, the show also brought back some familiar faces from its past year, as well as new ones that could potentially continue appearing moving forward.
Steve Carell as General Mark R. Naird
Aside from co-creating Netflix's Space Force, Steve Carell also plays General Mark Naird, the four-star general leader of Space Force. Following his hiring, Naird was immediately faced with several issues, and at one point, he even wanted to quit. But after doing the job a bit longer and spending time with his team, Naird spent most of Space Force season 2 trying to run the organization despite a significant budget cut under the new administration. Best known for his role as Michael Scott on The Office, Carell started as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He has also made a string of successful films such as Anchorman, The 40-Year-Old-Virgin, Crazy, Stupid, Love, and Date Night, among others.
John Malkovich as Dr. Adrian Mallory
John Malkovich portrays Dr. Adrian Mallory — Space Force's head scientist. Despite a tumultuous relationship with Naird in Space Force season 1, he's proven to be a loyal ally to the organization's leader in season 2. Even with his Mars venture getting shelved due to budget cuts, he remained committed to the work they do in Space Force. Granted that he considered leaving after his Mars project was scrapped and was looking into a better opportunity at SpaceX to do what he wanted. Malkovich has been acting since 1976 and has appeared in more than 70 movies. The list includes The Killing Fields, Dangerous Liaisons, Of Mice and Men, Con Air, Being John Malkovich, Johnny English, Red, and Bird Box. He also starred in several TV shows such as The New Pope and Billions.
Ben Schwartz as F. Tony Scarapiducci
Playing Space Force's social media director, F. Tony Scarapiducci, is Ben Schwartz. Given his job, he's usually attached to his phone and clamoring to know what's the latest on the internet. In Space Force season 2, fans learn more about his personal life; he also plays an important role in Angela Ali (Tawny Newsome) and Chan Kaifang's (Jimmy O. Yang) budding romance. Viewers best know Schwartz as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein from Parks and Recreation. He was also in House of Lies and currently provides the voice for Sonic in Sonic the Hedgehog.
Diana Silvers as Erin Naird
Mark Naird's daughter, Erin, is played by Diana Silvers in Space Force. Initially hesitant to move to Colorado after her dad's new job, she ultimately became an integral part of Space Force in season 2, choosing to be one of the organization's interns. Silvers previously appeared in Into the Dark, Class, Booksmart, Ava, and, more recently, Birds of Paradise.
Tawny Newsome as Captain Angela Ali
Tawny Newsome plays Captain Angela Ali. In season 1, she became the first Black person on the moon after starting out as a helicopter pilot for Naird. In Space Force season 2, she's back but is secretly struggling to settle in her old life following her stint in outer space. She begins a fling with Chan Kaifang, but things become too complicated for her that she starts to pull away. Best known for playing Chelsea Leight-Leigh on Bajillion Dollar Propertie$, she also starred in Superstore, Perfect Harmony, Brockmire, and The Comedy Get Down, and she voices Beckett Mariner on Star Trek: Lower Decks.
Jimmy O. Yang as Dr. Chan Kaifang
Introduced as a supporting character, Jimmy O. Yang's Dr. Chan Kaifang plays a prominent role in Space Force season 2. As the lead scientist on Mallory's team, Chan typically assists his boss in the scientific and technical aspects of running Space Force. He's been in love with Angela after they started secretly hooking up. O. Yang also serves as a writer for Space Force season 2, but before the Netflix series, he had roles on Silicon Valley, Fresh Off the Boat, Love Hard, and Crazy Rich Asians.
Don Lake as Brad Gregory
Don Lake plays 1-star general Brad Gregory who serves as Naird's secretary and personal assistant. He's usually dense and slow, but also fiercely loyal to his boss and Space Force. The actor has appeared in a string of comedic projects such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Police Academy, Hot Shots!, and Dumb & Dumber To. But he played a more serious role as Detective Mossberg in Terminator 2: Judgment Day.
Space Force Season 2 Supporting Cast
Lisa Kudrow as Maggie Naird: Naird's wife and Erin's mother remains imprisoned in Space Force season 2 after attempting to escape in the season 1 finale. It remains unclear why she's in jail, but it seems like she's going to be incarcerated for several more decades. Kudrow is best known for her role as Phoebe Buffay in Friends, but she was also in Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, Easy A, and Long Shot.
Tim Meadows as Secretary of Defense: Given the change in administration, Space Force season 2 introduced a brand new Secretary of Defense. He's tasked with keeping Naird and Space Force in check during the four-month probation period. Meadows was one of the longest-running cast members on SNL. His other credits include Mean Girls, Grown-Ups, Trainwreck, and Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping.
Noah Emmerich as General Kick Grabaston: Naird's arch-nemesis and the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force, Kick Grabaston returns in Space Force season 2 as he tries to take over Space Force. He was unsuccessful though. Fans can see his other work in The Americans, The Truman Show, and Super 8.
Space Force Season 2 Guest Stars
Patton Oswalt as Captain Lancaster: Introduced in Space Force season 2 as Mallory's astronaut, Patton Oswalt's Lancaster was supposed to be the first man on Mars. But after the budget cuts, his whole mission was scrapped.
Terry Crews as The New Air Force Chief of Staff: With Grabaston booted out, Space Force season 2 introduced his replacement. The unnamed general is played by Terry Crews.
In addition, several high-ranking officers from Space Force season 1 returned for season 2. Jane Lynch, Diedrich Bader, Larry Joe Campbell, and Patrick Warburton reprised their roles as Chief of Naval Operations, General Rongley, Commandant of the Coast Guard, and Chief of Naval Operations, respectively.
Space Force season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.