Netflix's Hollywood cast leads the new drama miniseries, which focuses on a memorable time in Tinseltown. The limited series, created by Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan, serves as a "what if" scenario as a group of individuals rewrite the script during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Seasoned actors like Patti LuPone, Holland Taylor, and Jim Parsons help lead the Hollywood cast along with a group of young faces headlined by Darren Criss.
Hollywood follows aspiring actors and filmmakers in the post-WWII era when opportunities are few and far between. At the center is Ace Studios, a company that usually plays it safe in the industry. As young figures try to find their big break, they encounter the elements plaguing the business such as politics, discrimination, and homophobia. Those in charge try to change the dynamics of the industry with the development of one key project.
Murphy has a knack for putting together stellar ensemble casts and Hollywood is no different. Many of the faces in his latest series have worked with him in the past. Most of the characters are fictional but there are a few that have real-life counterparts. To keep track of everyone, here's a complete guide to Hollywood's cast and characters.
David Corenswet As Jack Castello
David Corenswet stars as Jack Castello, one of the young aspiring actors trying to find his big break. The war vet from Missouri has dreams of being a movie star. In order to support his pregnant wife, Jack is forced to get a job at a gas station as a gigolo. Corenswet had roles in Elementary and House of Cards before he acquired a lead role in Murphy's fellow Netflix series, The Politician.
Darren Criss As Raymond Ainsley
Darren Criss plays Raymond Ainsley, another young player with big dreams, but unlike Jack, Raymond wants to make it behind the camera as a director. Raymond is half-Asian but manages to get opportunities in the industry by passing as white. Criss is best known for his work in previous titles created by Murphy including Glee and The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. He also appeared in The Flash, Supergirl, and the film Midway in addition to his busy theatre career.
Laura Harrier As Camille Washington
Laura Harrier portrays Camille Washington, another young actress looking for her breakout role. Camille is the girlfriend of Raymond and has a contract at Ace Studios. Despite small opportunities, Camille is often passed over due to the fact that she's black and one of the few contracted actors of color. Aside from starring in the One Live to Live reboot, Harrier would be best recognized for her appearances in Spider-Man: Homecoming and BlacKkKlansman.
Jeremy Pope As Archie Coleman
Jeremy Pope plays Archie Coleman, a man with hopes of becoming a successful screenwriter in the industry. Not only is Archie black, but he's also gay so he feels an immense amount of discrimination. Jack encourages him to join the gas station before they become involved in another opportunity. Before being cast in Hollywood, Pope worked on Broadway in Choir Boy and Ain't Too Proud.
Jake Picking As Rock Hudson
Jake Picking stars as Roy, a country boy who gets scouted by a big Hollywood agent due to his good looks. In order to transform into a movie star, he changes his name to Rock Hudson. After visiting the gas station a few times, Rock falls for Archie. The character of Rock is the only figure of the young core group based on a real person. He was a popular actor and known Hollywood heartthrob in the '50s and '60s with memorable performances in Magnificent Obsession, All That Heaven Allows, Giant, and many others. Like the character in Hollywood, Rock was gay but forced to hide details about his personal life. Picking's most notable roles include movies such as Patriots Day, Only the Brave, Blockers, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, and Horse Girl.
Samara Weaving As Claire Wood
Samara Weaving portrays Claire Wood, another actor under contract at Ace Studios who has a close relationship with the studios' owner. She often finds herself vying for the same roles as Camille so the two have a bit of a rivalry. Aside from her TV work in SMILF and Picnic at Hanging Rock, Weaving is best known for movies like Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, The Babysitter, and Ready or Not.
Jim Parsons As Henry Willson
Jim Parsons plays Henry Willson, the sleazy and manipulative Hollywood agent which a track record of developing some of the biggest movie stars. Henry signs Rock and quickly tries to get the young actor his big break. Like Rock, Henry's character is based on a real Hollywood figure. He was a talent agent credited in starting the heartthrob craze. Henry fought greatly to keep Rock's identity as a gay man out of tabloids. Parsons is, of course, best known for his role in The Big Bang Theory, but the actor has also worked in The Normal Heart, Hidden Figures, and Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.
Patti LuPone As Avis Amberg
Patti LuPone stars as Avis Amberg, the lonely wife of the head of Ace Studios and the mother of Claire Wood. Avis was once a silent film star but she was never able to adapt to the changes in the industry. She then gets another chance at notoriety after a unique opportunity emerges. LuPone is a legendary stage actress who previously worked with Murphy on Glee, American Horror Story, and Pose in addition to roles on Oz, 30 Rock, Penny Dreadful, and Steven Universe. The actress also appeared in films like Driving Miss Daisy, State and Main, The Comedian, and Last Christmas.
Netflix's Hollywood Supporting Cast
Holland Taylor as Ellen Kincaid: One of the top studio executives at Ace who also trains the young aspiring actors on contract. Taylor is best known for her roles in The Practice, Two and A Half Men, and Mr. Mercedes as well as film roles in One Fine Day, The Truman Show, and Legally Blonde.
Joe Mantello as Dick Samuels: Another top executive at Ace Studios who takes the brunt of the responsibilities while trying to keep a secret about his personal life. Mantello is a theatre actor and director known for Wicked, Take Me Out, and Assassins in addition to his work in The Normal Heart.
Maude Apatow as Henrietta Castello: Jack's pregnant wife who works as a waitress while her husband tries to make it as an actor. Apatow, the daughter of Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann, is known for appearing in Knocked Up, This Is 40, Assassination Nation, and the TV show, Euphoria.
Rob Reiner as Ace Amberg: The head of Ace Studios who calls all of the shots when it comes to the titles in development. Reiner is known for his roles in movies like Stand by Me, The Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally..., Misery, and A Few Good Men along with his work in All in the Family.
Mira Sorvino as Jeanne Crandall: An aging actress with a contract at Ace Studios who never really got a shot at a starring role in a big film. Sorvino's past work includes Mighty Aphrodite, Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, Summer of Sam, and Human Trafficking.
Netflix's Hollywood Supporting Cast Based On Real People
Dylan McDermott as Ernie: The owner of the gas station that doubles as a secret brothel. Ernie is based on Scotty Bowers, a man who arranged encounters for Hollywood stars to hide their sexuality. McDermott would be recognized for his work in TV shows like The Practice, Dark Blue, American Horror Story, Stalker, LA to Vegas, and The Politician.
Harriet Harris as Eleanor Roosevelt: The former First Lady and wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt who had an interest in fighting for human rights. Harris is a Tony Award-winning actress also known for her work on Frasier and Desperate Housewives.
Michelle Krusiec as Anna May Wong: A Hollywood actress that became the first Chinese American movie star that gained global recognition. Krusiec previously appeared in Without a Trace, Fringe, Hawaii Five-0, and Supergirl.
Queen Latifah as Hattie McDaniel: A black actress who became the first person of color to win an Academy Award after her performance as Mammy in Gone with the Wind. Queen Latifah is a singer and actress known for dozens of titles including Living Single, Chicago, Bringing Down the House, Beauty Shop, Hairspray, Bessie, and Girls Trip.
Katie McGuinness as Vivien Leigh: A notable American actress who won Academy Awards for her work as Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind and Blanche DuBois in the film version of A Streetcar Named Desire. McGuinness previously worked on Doctors and Roots.