FX on Hulu’s Under the Banner of Heaven tackles the true story of the Brenda and Allen Lafferty murder case, with Andrew Garfield leading the Under the Banner of Heaven cast of fictional and real-life characters. Under the Banner of Heaven, based on the 2003 nonfiction book of the same name, continues Hulu’s trend of true-crime TV shows, with the 2022 series depicting a gruesome double-murder. As Under the Banner of Heaven uncovers the true story of the brutal murders, the series sees the characters question their beliefs while addressing religious delusions and the dangers of unyielding faith.

The primary story at hand in Under the Banner of Heaven is the real-life brutal 1984 murders of 24-year-old Brenda Lafferty and her 15-month-old daughter Erica, who were part of one of the most notable Latter-day Saint families in their Utah community. The true crimes were soon revealed to be connected to fundamentalist Mormonism, inspired by specific scriptures and teachings of the Laffertys’ religion. When Mormon detective Jeb Pyre investigates the murders, he comes to understand the complex relationship between religion, unyielding faith, and violence, and he must face what this means for his own faith.

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As Under the Banner of Heaven tests the faith and morality of its characters, the performances of the cast compellingly bring disturbing true figures like Allen Lafferty to the screen. From actors well-versed in spiritually-driven projects to horror stars, the Under the Banner of Heaven cast is able to accurately and emotionally portray such complex, terrifying, and strong-willed people. Here’s a breakdown of the characters in FX on Hulu’s Under the Banner of Heaven and which actors take on the roles.

Billy Howle As Allen Lafferty

Allen Lafferty UTBOH

Many of the events in Under the Banner of Heaven’s flashbacks are told from the perspective of Allen Lafferty, Brenda’s real-life husband, who came home to find his wife and their daughter murdered in July 1984. Allen, the youngest brother in the Lafferty family, quickly falls in love with Brenda after meeting her, but his brothers and father prove to dislike her outspoken and independent nature. As Allen recalls their life together before her murder, it’s his critical assertions about the teachings of Mormonism and the LDS Church that gradually see Detective Pyre questioning his faith. Billy Howle has also been seen in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker as Rey’s father, Chloe as Elliott, and Outlaw King as Prince Edward.

Daisy Edgar-Jones As Brenda Wright Lafferty

Brenda Lafferty UTBOH

Daisy Edgar-Jones stars in the Under the Banner of Heaven cast as Brenda Lafferty (neé Wright), the real-life 24-year-old wife of Allen Lafferty and mother to 15-month-old Erica, who was brutally murdered in her home in 1984. The show's flashbacks follow Brenda Lafferty before her murder as she goes from her Mormon family in Idaho to Utah’s Brigham Young University, where she meets Allen and his extremely devout LDS family. As the FX on Hulu series progresses through flashbacks and the present-day investigation led by Andrew Garfield’s character, the shocking details of how Mormon religious extremism influenced her killers gradually come to light. Daisy Edgar-Jones is notable for starring in Hulu’s Fresh as Noa, Normal People as Marianne Sheridan, and War of the Worlds as Emily Gresham.

Andrew Garfield As Detective Jeb Pyre

Promo photo of Andrew Garfield in Under the Banner of Heaven.

Academy Award-nominated actor Andrew Garfield leads Under the Banner of Heaven as Jeb Pyre, the detective in charge of the investigation of Brenda and Erica Lafferty’s murders. A devout Mormon who has known the Laffertys through his church, Detective Pyre’s own faith in the Church of Latter-day Saints is tested as the details of the murders and how his religion inspired them come to light. Unlike the majority of the characters in Under the Banner of Heaven, Jeb Pyre is a fictional figure. Andrew Garfield is best known for portraying Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man movies, Desmond Doss in Hacksaw Ridge, Jonathan Larson in Tick, Tick… Boom!, and Eduardo Saverin in The Social Network.

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Sam Worthington As Ron Lafferty

Dan Lafferty UTBOH

The eldest Lafferty brother is the first to stray from his father’s teachings and ideals on subscribing to their Mormon scriptures, with Ammon Lafferty thus choosing Dan to follow in his footsteps instead. Under the Banner of Heaven’s real-life Ron, who owns a construction company, is married to Dianna, with whom he has six children. Sam Worthington is best known for his roles in James Cameron’s Avatar movies, Terminator Salvation, Clash of the Titans, and as the voice of Alex Mason in the Call of Duty video games.

Wyatt Russell As Dan Lafferty

Dan Lafferty UTBOH

One of Allen’s older brothers, who Ammon names as the head of the family while he and their mother are away on a missionary trip, is played by Wyatt Russell. Dan takes over the family’s chiropractor business out of the Lafferty home while Ammon is away, and is also outspoken about refusing to pay his taxes. The character’s responsibility also impacts his wife, Matilda, who he married after a mission in Scotland, and her two daughters from a previous marriage. Russell, the son of actors Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, is notable for starring in TV shows and films like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, 22 Jump Street, Overlord, and Lodge 49.

Gil Birmingham As Detective Bill Taba

Detective Bill Taba looking out a window in Under The Banner Of Heaven

Alongside Andrew Garfield’s Jeb Pyre, Detective Bill Taba is also investigating the double-murder case of Brenda and Erica Lafferty in Under the Banner of Heaven. As a non-Mormon, Under the Banner of Heaven’s fictional Bill Taba feels at odds in the small Utah town. This also allows him to tackle the tougher and more objective questions about the religion’s key role in the brutal events of the case. Gil Birmingham is known for appearing as Thomas Rainwater in Yellowstone, Billy Black in The Twilight Saga, and Alberto Parker in Hell or High Water.

Denise Gough As Dianna Lafferty

Dianna Lafferty UTBOH

Denise Gough portrays the wife of the eldest Lafferty brother, Ron, whom she met on his mission in Florida and with whom she shares six children. Under the Banner of Heaven’s Dianna, an adult convert to Mormonism, quickly gravitates to Brenda, who she welcomes to the family and often seeks advice from. Gough is notable for her stage career and appearances in TV shows like Too Close, Paula, and the upcoming Disney+ Star Wars series Andor.

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Chloe Pirrie As Matilda Lafferty

Matilda Lafferty looking down in UTBOH

Dan’s Scottish wife, who he met on his mission in Scotland, with the two soon marrying and returning to live in the United States, is played by Chloe Pirrie. Under the Banner of Heaven’s real-life Matilda is the divorced mother of two daughters from a previous marriage, who frequently mentions how Dan Lafferty had originally been interested in her sister. Once Dan takes over as the head of the family, Matilda’s responsibility and Dan’s expectations become overbearing, whereafter she seeks advice and friendship from Brenda. Pirrie has also been seen in The Crown, The Queen’s Gambit, The Game, and 2020’s Emma.

Seth Numrich As Robin Lafferty

Robin Lafferty smiling in Under The Banner Of Heaven

Another of the Lafferty brothers in Under the Banner of Heaven’s true story who dislikes Brenda’s independence is Robin Lafferty, played by Seth Numrich. Robin (whose name is different from the real-life figure) also joins in taking over the chiropractic business and becomes Dan’s right-hand man after their father leaves, with Robin sharing Dan’s strict LDS Church mindset and anti-tax beliefs as well. Numrich has also appeared in projects like Turn: Washington’s Spies, Homeland, and Madam Secretary.

Rory Culkin As Sam Lafferty

Sam Lafferty in UTBOH

The younger brother of actors Macaulay and Kieran Culkin, Rory Culkin stars in Under the Banner of Heaven as Sam Lafferty (a different name from the real-life person), the middle child in his family who must stay loyal to his brothers. The devout Mormon character is notable for his fierce protection of his brothers, firm opinions on his faith and political ideals, and hot temper. Rory Culkin is most notable for his roles in Scream 4, Signs, Mean Creek, and Waco.

Adelaide Clemens As Rebecca Pyre

Adelaide Clemens plays Rebecca Pyre in Under the Banner of Heaven

Jeb’s wife and mother of their two daughters who similarly must choose between faith and family as the true-crime story’s details unfold. Clemens has also been seen in Love My Way, The Great Gatsby, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and Rectify.

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Sandra Seacat As Josie Pyre

Sandra Seacat plays Josie Pyre in Under the Banner of Heaven

Jeb’s devout Mormon mother who lives with his family and is struggling with dementia. Seacat, notable as an acting coach, has also previously been featured in the Al Pacino movie You Don’t Know Jack, Palo Alto, and Enlightened.

Christopher Heyerdahl As Ammon Lafferty

Ammon in UTBOH

The patriarch of the Lafferty family and the strict father of the six brothers. Heyerdahl is known for his roles in Supernatural, Peacemaker, Hell on Wheels, and The Twilight Saga.

Taylor St. Pierre As Jacob LaffertyTaylor St Pierre plays Jacob Lafferty in Under the Banner of Heaven

The quiet Lafferty brother who stays close to his parents. St. Pierre has also appeared in Hell on Wheels, the Snowpiercer series, and Supernatural.

Scott Michael Campbell As Brigham YoungScott Michael Campbell plays Brigham Young in Under the Banner of Heaven

The Mormon religious leader depicted in Under the Banner of Heaven’s historical flashbacks. Campbell’s previous projects include Brokeback Mountain, Shameless, Suits, and Apple TV+'s For All Mankind.

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Tyner Rushing As Emma SmithTyner Rushing plays Emma Smith in Under the Banner of Heaven

The wife of Mormonism founder Joseph Smith in Under the Banner of Heaven’s historic flashbacks. Rushing is known for appearing in Stranger Things season 4 as Virginia Creel, Doom Patrol as Michaela, and The Contractor as Barb.

Under The Banner Of Heaven Supporting Cast & Characters

Lafferty Family in Under the Banner of Heaven

Darren Goldstein as Mr. Wright: Brenda's Mormon bishop father who teaches his daughters to be independent. Goldstein's prior acting credits include Impeachment: American Crime Story, Ozark, and The Affair.

Megan Leitch as Doreen Lafferty: The Lafferty family matriarch and mother to the Lafferty brothers. Leitch has been seen in X-Men: Evolution, Maid, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, and The X-Files.

Britt Irvin as Sarah Lafferty: The wife of Sam Lafferty. Irvin’s other acting credits include Big Eyes, The Vow, Hot Rod, and Smallville.

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Andrew Garfield's Detective Pyre Is Fictional But Based On A Real Detective

Detective Pyre looking shocked

Andrew Garfield's character in Under the Banner of Heaven, Jeb Pyre, isn't a real person, but the performance is very much rooted in authenticity. Continuing his religious movie trend, Andrew Garfield signed on to Under the Banner of Heaven with the goal of capturing the struggle over one's faith as realistically as he could. To do this, he spoke with a real-life Mormon detective (who remains anonymous) that dealt with a crisis of face similar to Jeb's. By taking this extra step, Garfield was able to imbue his part with a hefty dose of compelling realism, and as a result, he's one of Under the Banner of Heaven's best aspects.