Summary

• Stephen King's miniseries Rose Red had mixed reviews upon release but has gained new popularity since being added to Hulu's catalog in 2023.
• The miniseries allowed upcoming actors like Nancy Travis, Kimberly J. Brown, and Melanie Lynskey to showcase their abilities.
• Matt Keeslar played the role of Steve Rimbauer in Rose Red and has since had notable roles in films like Scream 3 and series like Dune.

Stephen King's underappreciated miniseries Rose Red includes a number of dynamic characters and a talented cast to bring them to life. In 2002, ABC released a three-part miniseries with a story by King. The show follows Dr. Joyce Reardon, a paranormal psychology professor who brings a group of psychics to the Rose Red mansion in hopes of finding scientific data that proves the existence of the paranormal. Once there, the team faces the evil spirits tethered to the house due to previous deaths.

Putting time and attention into marketing the miniseries, ABC expected King's Rose Red, which was originally a remake of The Haunting, to be a success. Unfortunately, it gained mixed reviews at the time of release and mostly disappeared from the pop culture zeitgeist until Hulu added it to its catalog in October 2023. Despite not gaining the desired attention at first, Rose Red allowed many upcoming actors to show off their abilities. Additionally, it enabled established stars to branch into the horror genre.

5 Nancy Travis As Dr. Joyce Reardon

In Rose Red, Nancy Travis plays Dr. Joyce Reardon, a professor of parapsychology who gathers a team of psychics to record paranormal data at the titular mansion. Travis was born in 1961 in New York City, and she started acting in 1985. Two years later, she gained her breakout role playing Sylvia Bennington in the classic comedy movie Three Men and a Baby, a part she later reprised in Three Men and a Little Lady.

While her breakout role isn't in the same genre as Rose Red, Travis' other movies have a similar tone to the horror miniseries. She is best known for playing Harriet Michaels in So I Married an Axe Murderer, Rita Baker in The Vanishing, and Cat in The Jane Austen Book Club. Additionally, the actress acted in the TV series Almost Perfect, Becker, and Last Man Standing.

4 Kimberly J. Brown As Annie Wheaton

One of the most important characters in Rose Red is a 15-year-old autistic girl with telekinetic powers named Annie Wheaton. Annie is played in the miniseries by Kimberly J. Brown. The actress was born in 1984 in Gaithersburg, Maryland, and she started appearing in commercials at the age of five. By the time she was nine years old, she'd already starred in three Broadway shows, making history as the youngest actress to achieve this.

Brown received her big break in 1998 when she took on the lead role of Marnie in Disney's Halloweentown franchise. In addition to this role, she acted as Sarah Sanderson in Bringing Down the House, Ava Walker in Tumbleweeds, and Tiffany in Be Cool. Brown also appeared on the TV shows Guiding Light, Low Winter Sun, and General Hospital.

3 Melanie Lynskey As Rachel Wheaton

Throughout Rose Red, Melanie Lynskey plays Rachel Wheaton, Annie's older sister and support system. Lynskey was born in 1977 in New Plymouth, New Zealand and debuted in 1994. Unlike many actors, she got her big break in Hollywood with her first professional acting role, playing Pauline in Heavenly Creatures.

In addition to this role, Lynskey has numerous acting credits. She famously performed in the movies Ever After, Coyote Ugly, Shattered Glass, and We'll Never Have Paris. For the most part, the actress sticks to comedy movies. On the small screen, Lynskey played Wendy Patrakas in Drive, Rose in Two and a Half Men, and Shauna in cast of Yellowjackets.

2 Matt Keeslar As Steve Rimbauer

King's miniseries Rose Red centers on the Rose Red mansion, which is owned by Steve Rimbauer, played by actor Matt Keeslar. Keeslar was born in 1972 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and he started professionally acting in 1994 after studying at The Julliard School. Four years later, the actor got his big Hollywood break playing Johnny Savage in the movie Waiting for Guffman.

Since then, Keeslar famously acted in the films The Last Days of Disco, Scream 3, Jekyll, and The Governor's Wife. His only lead roles on TV are The Middleman in the sci-fi comedy of the same name and Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen in Dune. He's also held a number of one-off roles on different shows, including Law & Order, Ghost Whisperer, Numb3rs, and Grimm.

1 Rose Red Supporting Cast & Characters

Jimmi Simpson as Kevin Bollinger: In Rose Red, Simpson plays Kevin Bollinger, a university newspaper reporter who becomes skeptical of Dr. Joyce Reardon. Simpson was born in 1975 in Hackettstown, New Jersey and started acting professionally in 2000. He is best known for his roles as William in the TV series Westworld and Liam McPoyle in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

David Dukes as Dr. Carl Miller: The late David Dukes is Dr. Carl Miller, the head of the psychology department, in King's Rose Red miniseries. Dukes was born in 1945 and died at age 55 in 2000. Rose Red was his last project to release, coming out posthumously. He is best known for having played David Lewis in Gods and Monsters.

Kevin Tighe as Vic Kandinsky: Throughout Rose Red, Kevin Tighe portrays Vic Kandinsky, a psychic who can see into the future. Tighe was born in 1944 in Los Angeles and started acting in 1967. He's best known for his roles as the paramedic Roy DeSoto in the TV show Emergency! and Blake Wilson in the movie Another 48 Hrs.

Emily Deschanel as Pam Asbery: Emily Deschanel plays Pam Asbery in Rose Red, a TV psychic with the special skill of psychometry. Deschanel was born in 1976 in Los Angeles and started professionally acting in 1994. She's best known for tackling the lead role of Temperance Brennan in the crime drama Bones.

Judith Ivey as Cathy Kramer: Judith Ivey plays Cathy Kramer, a psychic with the ability of psychography. Ivey was born in 1951 in El Paso, Texas and landed her first acting role in 1974. She has a massive portfolio of work but is best known for playing Mrs. Alice Lomax in the fantasy movie The Devil's Advocate.

Julian Sands as Nick Hardaway: Rose Red sees the late Julian Sands as Nick Hardaway, a psychologist with telepathic abilities. Sands was born in 1958 and passed away in 2023. He's best known for his theatrical performances, playing George Emerson in A Room With a View and Snakehead in The Medallion.

Matt Ross as Emery Waterman: Throughout Rose Red, Matt Ross plays Emery Waterman, the former homicide detective assistant and psychic with extra cognition of past events. Ross was born in 1970 in Greenwich, Connecticut and started professionally acting in 1994. He's best known for directing the movie Captain Fantastic and starring as Luis Carruthers in American Psycho.

Tsidii Le Loka as Sukeena: Tsidii Le Loka plays Sukeena, the ghost maid of the mansion, in Rose Red. Loka was born in 1968 in the Kingdom of Lesotho, gaining her first film role in 2001 after debuting as Rafiki in The Lion King on Broadway. The actress only performed on-screen between 2001 and 2003, switching to other artistic endeavors after.

Laura Kenny as Patricia Waterman: In King's miniseries, Laura Kenny plays Patricia Waterman, the overbearing mother of Emery Waterman. Not much is known about Kenny's upbringing, but she started acting in 1987. She's best known for playing Judith in 10 Things I Hate About You and Mouse Woman in Harry and the Hendersons.

Richard Sanders as Mr. Stanton: Richard Sanders plays Mr. Stanton, Annie and Rachel's neighbor, in Rose Red. Sanders was born in 1940 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and got his first role in 1971. He's best known for playing Les Nessman in the comedy TV series WKRP in Cincinnati.

Yvonne Sciò as Deanna Petrie: In Stephen King's Rose Red, Yvonne Sciò portrays Deanna Petrie, a ghost of a family friend tethered to Rose Red. Sciò was born in 1969 in Rome, Italy and began acting in 2006. She's best known for playing Frederique in the comedy movie Sorority Boys.

Stephen King as Pizza Delivery Person: Horror author Stephen King makes a cameo as a pizza delivery person in Rose Red, fulfilling his tradition of playing a minor role in the movies and miniseries based on his writings.