Based on Phillip K. Dick's 1962 novel, The Man in the High Castle lasted four seasons and 40 episodes before ending its run in 2019. The acclaimed Amazon Original series takes 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 watching The 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 actress Alexa Davalos plays 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 in The Chronicles of Riddick, The Mist, and Clash of the Titans. Her TV credits include Reunion and Mob City, although The Man in the High Castle marked her most significant small-screen role until she was cast in FBI: Most Wanted in 2021. After being removed from the acclaimed 21st-century crime show ahead of Season 5, FBI fans have started a boycott voicing their displeasure.
Rupert Evans as Frank Frink
English actor Rupert Evans plays 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 of Charmed, playing the role for 71 episodes in his biggest recurring role to date. Before that, Evans' most notable credits include Rockface, Rogue, The Village, and a single appearance on Bridgerton. Cinematically, Evans appeared in Hellboy, The Boy, and American Pastoral.
Rufus Sewell as John Smith
English actor Rufus Sewell portrays 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.
Sewell is a versatile actor with more movie credits than TV roles. After starring in Dark City, Sewell went on to star in such popular movies as A Knight's Tale, The Illusionist, Judy, Old, and more. Most recently, Sewell joined the cast of the Netflix miniseries Kaleidoscope and the Netflix political drama The Diplomat.
Chelah Horsdal as Helen Smith
Canadian actress Chelah Horsdal stars as Helen Smith on the 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. Although The Man in the High Castle represents her most substantial role to date, Horsdal recently starred in Firefly Lane as Margie. Horsdal also landed a recent recurring role as Laira Rillak in Paramount+'s Star Trek: Discovery. In terms of movies, Horsdal also appeared in Aliens vs. Predator - Requiem, The Pink Panther, and Cabin in the Woods.
Luke Kleintank as Joe Blake
American actor Luke Kleintank plays 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 opera The Young and the Restless, Kleintank notably appeared on Gossip Girl, Bones, and Pretty Little Liars, among other TV shows. He also appeared in such movies as The Goldfinch, Midway, and The Good Neighbor. Kleintank was cast in FBI: International following his work on The Man in the High Castle, joining Davalos in the FBI family.
Joel de la Fuente as Inspector Kido
American actor Joel de la Fuente plays Inspector Takeshi Kido on the 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 of Law & Order: SVU from 2002 to 2011. Afterward, he landed a recurring gig as Johann Pryce on Hemlock Grove. In terms of recent recurring roles, de la Fuente starred as Cheng Liwei on the Sky Original series Devils.
DJ Qualls as Ed McCarthy
American actor DJ Qualls plays 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.
After stealing the show as Kyle in Road Trip in 2000, Qualls has maintained a steady acting career. He's appeared in everything from Hustle & Flow and Z Nation to Memphis Beat and Legit. Qualls also made brief appearances in Supernatural, Fargo, and Breaking Bad. Up next for Qualls is a starring role in the upcoming movie Evilou by writer/director Andrew Zappin.
Brennan Brown as Robert Childan
American actor Brennan Brown portrays 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 on the beloved medical TV drama Chicago Med after playing the role for eight seasons. Brown prominent credits also include Person of Interest, It Could Be Worse, Beauty and the Beast, and Mozart in the Jungle. He also starred opposite Kleintank in Midway.
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as Nobusuke Tagomi
Japanese actor Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa plays 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-winning The Last Emperor in 1987. Since then, he's amassed roughly 140 acting credits. Most fans will recognize Tagawa for playing Shang Tsung in Mortal Kombat, Krull in Planet of the Apes, and Mishima from Tekken.
Bella Heathcote as Nicole Dormer
Australian actress Bella Heathcote portrays 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 in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Neon Demon, Fifty Shades Darker, and Relic, among others. Most recently, Heathcote starred in the must-watch thriller miniseries Pieces of Her. With five upcoming projects to boot, fans can see Heathcote next in the upcoming thriller series Scrublands.