Based on Phillip K. Dick’s 1962 novel,The Man in the High Castlelasted four seasons and 40 episodes before ending its run in 2019. Theacclaimed Amazon Original seriestakes place in a dystopian alternate reality in which the German and Japanese forces won World War II and conquered the U.S. Thanks to the stellar international ensemble, the disturbing sci-fi series continues to shake viewers to the core.
For those on the fence about watchingThe Man in the High Castle, it’s worth getting to know the cast of characters and the talented actors who portray them before taking the plunge. Without further ado, here is the main crop of characters viewers can expect to encounter the most on the show.
Alexa Davalos as Juliana Crane
French actressAlexa Davalosplays Juliana Crane. Juliana lives in San Francisco under the rule of the Japanese military, where she gets along with the locals and enjoys a happy existence. However, once Juliana discovers the identity of The Man in the High Castle, a cryptic figure behind a series of newsreels played for citizens that depict the Germans and Japanese losing the war, she leads a revolution to find the truth.
Davalos made her screen debut in 2002. Since then, she has appeared inThe Chronicles of Riddick,The Mist, andClash of the Titans. Her TV credits includeReunionandMob City, althoughThe Man in the High Castlemarked her most significant small-screen role until she was cast inFBI: Most Wantedin 2021. After being removed fromthe acclaimed 21st-century crime showahead of Season 5,FBIfans have started a boycott voicing their displeasure.
Rupert Evans as Frank Frink
English actorRupert Evansplays Frank Frink, Juliana’s partner. Frank is a blue-collar worker who toils in a factory making vintage replica firearms. Due to his Jewish heritage, Frank is at risk for violent discrimination, which informs his actions along the way. Upon Juliana’s sudden disappearance, Frank joins the American Resistance and fights for freedom.
Although he has a few movie credits, Evans has spent most of his career acting on television. He recently played Harry Greenwood in the reboot ofCharmed, playing the role for 71 episodes in his biggest recurring role to date. Before that, Evans' most notable credits includeRockface,Rogue,The Village, and a single appearance onBridgerton. Cinematically, Evans appeared inHellboy,The Boy, andAmerican Pastoral.
Rufus Sewell as John Smith
English actorRufus Sewellportrays John Smith, a high-ranking Nazi soldier investigating the American Resistance on the East Coast. As a natural-born American forced to join the SS following the surrender of the U.S., Smith is torn between loyalty to his country and fealty to his German commanders, which weighs on his conscious as he moves his family to Manhattan.
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Sewell is a versatile actor with more movie credits than TV roles. After starring inDark City, Sewell went on to star in such popular movies asA Knight’s Tale,The Illusionist,Judy,Old, and more. Most recently, Sewell joined the cast of the Netflix miniseriesKaleidoscopeand the Netflix political dramaThe Diplomat.
Chelah Horsdal as Helen Smith
Canadian actressChelah Horsdalstars as Helen Smith onthe rewatchable sci-fi TV show.Helen is John’s wife who lives under the oppression of the Nazi Reich and does her best to conform as a dutiful housewife and raise her three children. Over time, Helen loses faith in German ideology and betrays her husband, which has dire consequences that most viewers will not see coming.
With over 140 acting credits to date, Horsdal is one of the most experienced cast members. AlthoughThe Man in the High Castlerepresents her most substantial role to date, Horsdal recently starred inFirefly Laneas Margie. Horsdal also landed a recent recurring role as Laira Rillak in Paramount+‘sStar Trek: Discovery. In terms of movies, Horsdal also appeared inAliens vs. Predator - Requiem,The Pink Panther, andCabin in the Woods.
Luke Kleintank as Joe Blake
American actorLuke Kleintankplays Joe Blake. Joe is a Nazi spy who infiltrates the American Resistance and reports directly to his superior, John Smith. When Blake is ordered to deliver a controversial film reel to the neutral states in the Rockies, he falls in love with Julianna and begins to question his role within the Reich.
After cutting his teeth on the soap operaThe Young and the Restless, Kleintank notably appeared onGossip Girl,Bones, andPretty Little Liars, among other TV shows. He also appeared in such movies asThe Goldfinch,Midway,andThe Good Neighbor. Kleintank was cast inFBI: Internationalfollowing his work onThe Man in the High Castle,joining Davalos in theFBIfamily.
Joel de la Fuente as Inspector Kido
American actorJoel de la Fuenteplays Inspector Takeshi Kido onthe popular alternate history TV show, the chief investigator who rules the Kempeitai in San Francisco with an icy iron fist. Cold and manipulative, Kido does everything in his power to follow the Japanese mandate and uphold the military code of honor. Kido also makes a deal with the Yakuza to grant his son free access back to Japan.
With over 60 credits to date, viewers are sure to recognize de la Fuente from several projects. He played technician Rueben Morales on 52 episodes ofLaw & Order: SVUfrom 2002 to 2011. Afterward, he landed a recurring gig as Johann Pryce onHemlock Grove. In terms of recent recurring roles, de la Fuente starred as Cheng Liwei on the Sky Original seriesDevils.
DJ Qualls as Ed McCarthy
American actorDJ Quallsplays Ed McCarthy, one of Frank’s co-workers who takes a close interest in politics. Ed is also friendly to Juliana and goes out of his way to ensure her and Frank’s safety. When it is revealed that Ed is gay in Season 3 and has a boyfriend named Jack, he becomes the target of discrimination as homosexuality is punishable by death under Nazi law.
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After stealing the show as Kyle in Road Trip in 2000, Qualls has maintained a steady acting career. He’s appeared in everything fromHustle & FlowandZ NationtoMemphis BeatandLegit. Qualls also made brief appearances inSupernatural,Fargo, andBreaking Bad. Up next for Qualls is a starring role in the upcoming movieEvilouby writer/director Andrew Zappin.
Brennan Brown as Robert Childan
American actorBrennan Brownportrays Robert Childan, an antique dealer in San Francisco who bargains with Frank over his homemade jewelry accessories. Robert travels to the Neutral Zone with Frank and Eddie but returns to his antique shop after his belongings are stolen by bandits. Later, Robert is caught in a terrorist attack that leads to his capture.
A TV veteran, Brown has plenty of small-screen bona fides. He recently wrapped his long-term arc as Dr. Sam Abrams onthe beloved medical TV dramaChicago Medafter playing the role for eight seasons. Brown prominent credits also includePerson of Interest,It Could Be Worse,Beauty and the Beast, andMozart in the Jungle. He also starred opposite Kleintank inMidway.
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Nobusuke Tagomi
Japanese actorCary-Hiroyuki Tagawaplays Nobsuke Tagomi, the powerful Trade Minister of the Japanese Pacific States. While his cryptic motives are held under wraps for some time, Tagomi is a kind and caring man who serves as a foil to his rival, Inspector Kido. Alas, Tagomi loses his life in a ruthless political assassination that shakes up the country.
Tagawa got his first big acting break by starring in Bernardo Bertolucci’s Best Picture-winningThe Last Emperorin 1987. Since then, he’s amassed roughly 140 acting credits. Most fans will recognize Tagawa for playing Shang Tsung inMortal Kombat, Krull inPlanet of the Apes, and Mishima fromTekken.
Bella Heathcote as Nicole Dormer
Australian actressBella Heathcoteportrays Nicole Dormer, an aspiring filmmaker from Berlin who takes an interest in Joe and relocates to the U.S. When forced to make Nazi propaganda films exposing the death of Thomas Smith, Nicole strikes up a romance with a woman named Thelma Harris.
After launching her career on the Aussie soap opera Neighbours, Heathcote has worked steadily on many high-profile projects. She starred inPride and Prejudice and Zombies,Neon Demon,Fifty Shades Darker, andRelic, among others. Most recently, Heathcote starred inthe must-watch thriller miniseriesPieces of Her. With five upcoming projects to boot, fans can see Heathcote next in the upcoming thriller seriesScrublands.
