Who stars in Palmer on Apple TV+, and how do you know them? The 2021 movie was directed by actor/filmmaker Fisher Stevens, and follows a convicted felon who attempts to rebuild his life while looking after a young boy. An international pop music superstar headlines the main cast, and changes his usual clean-cut look with a grizzled appearance.
In Palmer, the title character named Eddie serves time in prison for an attempted murder charge, and then moves in with his grandmother, Vivian. After a spontaneous sexual encounter with a local woman named Shelly, Eddie learns that she often disappears from her trailer park home and pays little attention to her adolescent son, Sam. Palmer eventually forms a bond with a local teacher, Maggie, and once again discovers that his life will take an unexpected turn. Palmer was written for Apple TV+ by Cheryl Guerriero.
The Palmer main cast includes an A-lister who isn't known for headlining feature films. He's joined by an Oscar-nominated actress in a supporting role, and a young actor makes his movie debut in a breakthrough performance. Here's a cast and character guide for the 2021 movie Palmer.
Justin Timberlake As Eddie Palmer
Justin Timberlake stars as Eddie Palmer, a former football star and convicted felon who decides to take care of a young child.
Timberlake is a world-famous pop star and 10-time Grammy Award winner. In the '90s, he was the lead singer for the band NSYNC and later released his debut studio album, Justified, in 2002. In movies, Timberlake portrayed Sean Parker in The Social Network and Jim in Inside Llewyn Davis. He also voices Branch in the Trolls movie franchise.
Ryder Allen As Sam
Ryder Allen co-stars as Sam, a young boy who is teased for playing with dolls and wearing costumes.
Allen makes his movie debut in Palmer. He previously portrayed Young Erik Menendez and Law & Order True Crime.
Alisha Wainwright As Maggie Hayes
Alisha Wainwright portrays Maggie, a teacher who forms a romantic relationship with Eddie.
Wainwright starred as Maia Roberts in Shadowhunters and currently headlines Raising Dion as Nicole Warren.
Palmer's Supporting Cast
Juno Temple as Shelly: Palmer's mother who disappears for several weeks. Juno Temple portrayed Lola Quincey in the 2007 drama Atonement and Thistletwit in Maleficent. She recently appeared as Veronica Newell in Dirty John and Keeley Jones in Ted Lasso.
June Squibb as Vivian: Palmer's grandmother. June Squibb portrayed Helen Schmidt in About Schmidt and earned an Oscar nomination for her performance as Kate Grant in Nebraska. She also appeared as Hubie's Mom in Hubie Halloween and voiced Gerel in Soul.
Lance E. Nichols as Sibs: A school janitor who vouches for Palmer. Lance E. Nichols appeared as a preacher in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and currently portrays Lucien in Queen of the South.
J.D. Evermore as Forbes: A principal who hires Palmer. J.D. Evermore portrayed Clint in Dallas Buyers Club and O.B. in Django Unchained. On television, he appeared as Sheriff Carl Daggett in Rectify and Detective Connors in Cloak & Dagger.
Dean Winters as Jerry: Shelly's abusive boyfriend. Dean Winters portrayed Brian Cassidy in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The Vulture in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and Dennis Duffy in 30 Rock. John Wick fans may know him as Avi.
Jesse C. Boyd as Coles: A local police officer who is connected to Palmer's past crime. Jesse C. Boyd portrayed Falkoff in TURN: Washington's Spies and Frank Janderman in Mindhunter season 1.
Dane Rhodes as Coles Sr.: Coles' father, the police chief. Dane Rhodes portrayed Sheriff Harp in The Magnificent Seven and Officer Conway in Looking for Alaska.
Stephen Louis Grush as Daryl: Palmer's former friend who insults Sam. Stephen Louis Grush portrayed Vince Novik in Gracepoint and Monte Ford in Longmire.
Nicholas X. Parsons as Ned: Palmer's long-haired bar acquaintance. Nicholas X. Parsons portrayed Stanzi Palmer in Necessary Roughness and Bicycle Tom in The Lovebirds.