Where You've Seen The Cast Of Poker Face Before
Following the success of "Knives Out" and "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery," director Rian Johnson is bringing fans a brand new series that feels refreshingly familiar. "Poker Face" stars Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale, a living, breathing lie detector test. Speaking with The New York Times, Lyonne and Johnson described the influences behind the series, including "Magnum P.I." and "Murder, She Wrote." Its vintage vibe, mixed with Johnson's snappy style, is sure to be a winning combination.
The 10-part series is also noteworthy because of its impressive and varied cast list, which includes longtime stars like Adrien Brody and memorable character actors like Pedro Hollywood. Each episode presents a new mystery for Charlie to solve, and new characters for audiences to meet. Each cast member has followed their own unique career path before joining this project. Audiences may remember them from many other television or film projects, spanning multiple genres and decades. While some are accustomed to leading roles, others frequently appear as supporting characters, or work behind the scenes. Their talents are a significant factor in this series' appeal. We're here to take a look at where you've seen the cast of "Poker Face" before.
Benjamin Bratt
Veteran actor Benjamin Bratt plays Cliff, the head of casino security and one of Charlie Cale's primary nemeses in "Poker Face." Bratt's early career was full of performances as law enforcement officers, doctors, and even military personnel, who pride themselves on being morally upright figures. At the series' premiere event, Bratt told Vulture that although he is well-known for playing righteous characters, he now enjoys giving life to more nefarious roles.
Despite how well Bratt plays a villain, fans will likely recall watching him save the day. Most notably, "Law & Order" audiences will remember him from his time playing Detective Rey Curtis on the mothership series. This character also appeared on "Homicide: Life on the Street" in the mid-1990s. Detective Curtis was a fan-favorite character throughout his tenure, appearing in almost 100 "Law & Order" episodes.
Bratt also appears as Major Jim Tisnewski on "E-Ring," a single-season series about a soldier who trades operations in the field for a job at the Pentagon. Outside the world of procedurals, Bratt has portrayed law enforcement personnel in movies, including his memorable performances as police officer Alfredo Garcia in "Demolition Man" and Agent Eric Matthews in "Miss Congeniality."
Brandon Micheal Hall
Brandon Micheal Hall has made regular appearances in television shows, short films, and podcast series since the mid-2010s. The actor appears in the first two episodes of "Poker Face," "Dead Man's Hand" and "The Night Shift." Before "Poker Face," Hall starred in another mystery-themed series called "Search Party." His character, Julian, is a relentless journalist who strives to find the truth at the heart of the show's darkly funny plot. This determination provides hilarious forward momentum for the story, and makes him a very memorable character.
Before his journey into the mystery genre, Hall took top billing on the CBS series "God Friended Me." He played Miles Finer, a self-proclaimed atheist who begins communicating with God through Facebook. In an interview with Build, Hall described being proud of fans' positive reactions to the show and how much he enjoyed playing Miles. The series is equally funny and uplifting — a common theme in Hall's acting credits. Audiences may also recognize him from his starring role on the ABC comedy "The Mayor." Hall played aspiring rapper Courtney Rose, who runs for mayor of his hometown in a creative effort to gain exposure for his music.
Megan Suri
Megan Suri stars in a handful of "Poker Face" episodes. This isn't the first time the actress has appeared on unconventional series with a comedic slant. Television audiences will most likely recall Suri from Seasons 2 and 3 of "Atypical," where she played Quinn. This dramedy provides a rarely-seen slice-of-life view look at the life of a teenage boy on the autism spectrum as he navigates high school. Fans might also know her as Aneesa, a clever and charismatic friend to main character Devi on the teen dramedy "Never Have I Ever."
Suri also made a one-episode appearance on "Future Man," a Hulu original series about a gamer-turned-time traveler. She appeared in the show's pilot, playing the main character's unnamed daughter. Over the years, the actress has also lent her talents to crime dramas. One of her earliest roles came in a 2017 episode of "Bones," where she played a young girl named Claire. Furthermore, fans of "How To Get Away With Murder" may remember her as Rachael, a minor character from the episode "Vivian's Here." Though she frequently appears on the small screen, the actress actually started her career with a small part in the 2010 romantic comedy film "Valentine's Day."
David Chen
David Chen is one of several actors who make a single-episode appearance in "Poker Face." The stuntman-actor has enjoyed a varied career in Hollywood. A skilled martial artist, he's worked as a stunt performer and driver in dozens of film and television projects since the mid-2000s. This includes minor roles in action-packed series such as "Mr. Robot" and "Godfather of Harlem." Many of his onscreen roles are uncredited, but his finesse is hard to miss.
Chen excels at playing villainous characters, prisoners, and accomplices. Fans of "Gotham" likely remember him from multiple uncredited roles, such as his Season 1 appearance as an inmate at Arkham Asylum. He also took on a minor part in "Prodigal Son," a series in which he served as a stunt double for actor Frank Harts. Marvel enthusiasts may remember the actor from his one-episode appearance as a criminal named Bryce on "Luke Cage." Chen is also a familiar face in police procedurals, appearing on both "Blue Bloods" and "Law & Order: SVU."
S. Epatha Merkerson
Actress S. Epatha Merkerson appears in Episode 1 of "Poker Face." The performer is no stranger to the world of television. Procedural drama fans likely know Merkerson best as Lieutenant Anita Van Buren from the "Law & Order" mothership series. She joined the long-running show in Season 4, becoming one of the first actresses to land a full-time role in the franchise. Merkerson subsequently appeared as Van Buren in other "Law & Order" series, including "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and "Law & Order: Trial By Jury." She also voiced her signature character in two "Law & Order" PC games, which hit shelves in the early 2000s.
In recent years, Merkerson has continued her work in another Dick Wolf universe. She plays Sharon Goodwin, chief administrator of Gaffney Chicago Medical Center in the "One Chicago" franchise. Her career has also taken her into the film world: Fans may recognize her from 2012's "Lincoln," where she played housekeeper Lydia Smith. Merkerson also played flirtatious palm reader Elsa in the 1990 film "Jacob's Ladder." Those who enjoy Spike Lee movies may also remember her from her earliest film role: Doctor Jamison, a well-meaning therapist in 1986's "She's Gotta Have It."
Colton Ryan
Colton Ryan is a relative newcomer to the acting world, but he's already appeared in multiple major television series. As he's only been acting since 2017, most of his early roles have been small but memorable. His first television role was a single-episode appearance on "Law & Order: SVU," where he played a high school student named Andrew Jake in the episode "No Good Reason." Audiences may also recognize Ryan as J.J. Elkins, a young fan of radio personality Brett O'Keefe (Jake Weber) on the hit series "Homeland." As these two roles indicate, Ryan excels at playing wayward young characters with complex morals. More recently, Ryan starred as Conrad Roy III in the shocking true-crime miniseries "The Girl From Plainville."
In addition to these television appearances, Ryan has taken on roles in several feature films. Fans may remember him as Bruce, a minor character from the Amazon original movie "Uncle Frank." In 2021, Ryan also appeared in "Dear Evan Hansen," a film based on a musical about a socially anxious young man. Ryan's character, Connor Murphy, dies an untimely death, which serves as a significant catalyst for the film's events.
Tim Miller
Although main characters usually steal the show, supporting characters are crucial to bringing a film or television series to life. These figures give heroes and villains something to play off of, and populate the world around them in a believable manner. Actor Tim Miller is no stranger to playing supporting characters. He appears as a man trying to get his hair cut in "The Orpheus Syndrome," Episode 8 of "Poker Face." Before this role, he took on small parts in various projects, including comedies, soap operas, and even police procedurals. He most commonly portrays characters who work within the justice system, such as courthouse employees, judges, and jurors.
Fans of the "Law & Order " franchise will probably recognize Miller as a court clerk from both "Law & Order: SVU" and the main series. Though his character receives mere minutes of screen time in each episode, he is essential to adding realism to the dramatized courtroom. Likewise, comedy lovers may remember him as Mr. Kolovitz from his single-episode appearance on "Strangers With Candy." Finally, film enthusiasts can catch Miller as the bank president in Spike Lee's "She Hate Me," and as an intoxicated man on the Princeton University campus in "Burn After Reading."
Chloe Sevigny
Chloe Sevigny plays singer Ruby Ruin in the "Poker Face" episode "Rest in Metal." The actress is a familiar face on both the stage and screen. Sevigny's characters are often warm and understanding; many are willing to fight for the underdog and see the best in people. Fans will likely remember her from her early role as Lana Tisdel in "Boys Don't Cry," a film based on the harrowing true story of Brandon Teena. Sevigny is also highly recognizable from her appearance in "American Psycho." There, she plays Jean, serial killer Patrick Bateman's (Christian Bale) unsuspecting secretary. Most recently, Sevigny appeared as Janelle in the 2022 film adaptation of the novel "Bones And All."
Over the years, Sevigny has played her fair share of television characters. She starred as Lynn Roy, mother of a manslaughter victim in the eight-part miniseries "The Girl From Plainville." Earlier in her career, she starred in nine episodes of "Portlandia" as Alexandra, a character who manages to be memorable despite limited appearances. Sevigny has also had cameos on other dramas, such as "Law & Order: SVU" and "Those Who Kill." Finally, audiences may remember her as Nicolette Grant from the series "Big Love," which follows a group of polygamists in modern-day Utah.
Pedro Hollywood
Some actors make a name for themselves by taking on a wide range of roles, while others hone their skills by portraying a specific kind of character. The appropriately named Pedro Hollywood is in the latter category: He's gradually built a successful career playing characters on the wrong side of the law. On "Poker Face," he plays young Raoul, who appears in "The Orpheus Syndrome." Hollywood typically portrays tough, imposing characters, such as prisoners and gang members. Although little is known about Raoul so far, this character will likely share similarities with many of Hollywood's previous roles.
Before this project, Hollywood appeared in television shows and short films across multiple genres. Most notably, he appeared in the experimental miniseries "Kaleidoscope" as a mafia-affiliated inmate. Fans of the "FBI" franchise may also recall seeing Hollywood play Oscar Moreno. Hollywood also has a short list of feature film appearances to his name, including his role as an unnamed citizen from a besieged Brooklyn neighborhood in 2017's "Bushwick." Finally, Hollywood took on the part of an anonymous gang member in "The Wolf Hour," a harrowing film about the violent events that took place during a 1977 blackout in New York City.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt
It may surprise some viewers to learn that Joseph Gordon-Levitt is no stranger to Rian Johnson projects. The actor, who makes an obvious appearance in Episode 1 of "Poker Face," also pops up in a very subtle cameo in "Knives Out." According to Us Weekly, the actor lent his voice to Detective Hardrock, a character on Marta's (Ana De Armas) television program of choice. The actor also makes a voice cameo in the "Knives Out" sequel, "Glass Onion." Furthermore, fans may remember Gordon-Levitt from his roles in "Don Jon," "The Dark Knight Rises," and "Snowden," where he played the title character.
Though he frequently receives recognition for his film roles, Gordon-Levitt also has a long list of television projects on his resume. Fans have enjoyed the actor's work on various sitcoms, dramas, and even procedurals. He played main character Tommy Solomon throughout "3rd Rock from the Sun." He has also made cameos in multiple shows, including "That 70s Show" and "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman." Early in his career, young Gordon-Levitt took on minor roles in "Family Ties" and "Murder, She Wrote." The latter production happens to be one of the series that inspired "Poker Face."
Hong Chau
Hong Chau stars as Marge on Episode 2 of "Poker Face." Audiences are likely already familiar with the actress' work, due to her frequent appearances in high-profile TV shows and films. Chau had an especially busy 2022, the highlight of which was her performance in "The Whale." Her character, Liz, serves as the primary caregiver to the film's protagonist, a home-bound professor named Charlie (Brendan Fraser). This movie has few characters, which allows audiences to focus on Chau's talent. Fans of satirical horror will also recognize her as restaurant staff member Elsa from "The Menu."
In 2019, Chau appeared in four episodes of "Watchmen" as Lady Trieu, a wealthy Vietnamese woman on a relentless quest for power. She also appeared as Lora in all 13 episodes of the sitcom "A to Z." Television viewers may also remember her as Jackie from "Big Little Lies," or her roles in procedural dramas. Among other appearances, Chau starred in one episode of "NCIS" as an FBI lab technician, as well as an episode of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." Furthermore, "Bojack Horseman" fans will remember her as Pickles Aplenty, a bubbly waitress who appears in five episodes.
Adrien Brody
Adrien Brody appears as Sterling Frost Jr. in "Dead Man's Hand," Episode 1 of "Poker Face." This is far from the first time audiences have seen the accomplished actor take on a charismatic role. Brody is known for his impressive range, which he's displayed across multiple genres. He's been a Hollywood fixture since the late 1980s, appearing in critically acclaimed movies like World War II film "The Thin Red Line" and Holocaust drama "The Pianist." The latter film earned him an Oscar for best actor. Brody later starred in another war-themed movie, "The Jacket," which details the life of a wrongfully institutionalized veteran.
In addition to his many film roles, fans may recognize Brody from his television appearances. In 2017, he played Tommy gun-wielding mobster Luca Changretta on the hit series "Peaky Blinders." Though he only appears in six episodes, his character is among the most memorable villains in the series. Brody also starred as the title character in the miniseries "Houdini," a History Channel production about the famous magician. Furthermore, "Succession" fans may recognize him from his two-episode stint as billionaire investor Josh Aaronson.
Natasha Lyonne
At the heart of "Poker Face" is Charlie Cale, a casino worker forced to go on the run after her ability to unmask liars gets her into trouble. Natasha Lyonne brings this compelling protagonist to life with her unmistakable voice and perfectly timed jokes. Many television viewers know Lyonne as whip-smart prisoner Nicky Nichols on "Orange Is The New Black." Those who love the "American Pie" films may also remember her as Jessica, a laid-back young woman with more relationship experience than many of the main characters. Lyonne also stars as Megan in the cult-classic comedy "But I'm A Cheerleader."
In addition to her acting talents, Lyonne has also explored the world of writing and producing. Most prominently, she wrote and produced the Netflix series "Russian Doll." She also stars as the main character, Nadia Vulvokov, alongside "Poker Face" castmate Chole Sevigny. Now, Lyonne is one of the executive producers for "Poker Face," and has a writing credit on "The Orpheus Syndrome." Lyonne and Rian Johnson are also close friends off-screen (via Interview Magazine); Lyonne even has a brief cameo as herself in "Glass Onion."