HBO’s new series, The Nevers is a Victorian-era sci-fi drama that features a large ensemble cast of characters. Here’s who they are, and where audiences may recognize the actors from. The series combines genres and ideas, unfolding during the final years of Queen Victoria’s reign and beginning with the arrival of a group referred to as the ‘Touched’ people. Consisting mostly of women, the group is differentiated by the strange abilities they suddenly demonstrate. The Touched ultimately divide London, with some coming to their defense and others fighting against them.
The Nevers was created by Joss Whedon, who wrote and directed the first episode, in addition to helming a few others, but the Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator exited the production midway through the first season. Philippa Goslett has since taken over in the role of showrunner for The Nevers season 1, which will consist of 12 episodes.
The series is led by a large cast that includes familiar faces such as Nick Frost and Denis O’Hare, along with relative newcomers. Here’s who those actors are playing in The Nevers, and the other performances that they’re known for.
The Nevers: Main Cast
Laura Donnelly as Amalia True: Described as a menace to stuffy Victorian society, True is a Touched woman that can see glimpses of the future. Donnelly is known for her roles on Outlander and Britannia.
Olivia Williams as Lavinia Bidlow: Lavinia is a wealthy spinster that champions and funds the orphanage for the Touched. Williams, who worked with Whedon on Dollhouse, was a regular on the Starz series Counterpart. She also appeared as Moira MacTaggert in X-Men: The Last Stand. More recently, she starred in the Anthony Hopkins drama The Father.
James Norton as Hugo Swann: Swann, who is fascinated by the Touched, runs a secret club and a side trade in blackmail. Norton is known for appearing on British shows such as Happy Valley and Grantchester, but audiences will likely recognize him most from his role as John Brooke in 2019's Little Women.
Tom Riley as Augustus “Augie” Bidlow: Riley plays Bidlow, Lavinia’s younger brother. Sweet and nerdy, Augie is drawn to the Touched. Riley is a stage actor who appeared on Doctor Who as Robin Hood. He also had a guest role on the TBS comedy Angie Tribeca and a long-running role as Leonardo Da Vinci in Da Vinci's Demons.
Ann Skelly as Penance Adair: Penance is among Amaila’s dearest friends, as well as being one of the Touched. Her gift gave her the ability to see energy. Skelly played Rachel Reid for three seasons on the Irish crime drama Red Rock, but her most recognizable role is likely Ethelfled on Vikings.
Zackary Momoh as Doctor Horatio Cousens: One of the Touched, Horatio Cousens is a doctor with the ability to heal. Momoh is recognizable from the movies American Assassin and Doctor Sleep.
Amy Manson as Maladie: Maladie, conversely, is a Touched woman on a killing spree who derives her ability from pain. Manson portrayed Alice Guppy in Torchwood, Abby Evans in Casualty, and Merida on Once Upon a Time.
Nick Frost as Declan “The Beggar King” Orrun: Frost plays a criminal overlord who helps out the Touched but is equally willing to sell them out. Frost is known for the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy, having starred in Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, and The World’s End.
Rochelle Neil as Annie “Bonfire” Carbey: One of the Touched, Annie has the ability to create fire. Neil has appeared in Matt LeBlanc’s Showtime comedy Episodes as Jessica and on the BBC mini-series Guilt in the main role of Yvonne.
Eleanor Tomlinson as Mary Brighton: Now one of the Touched, Mary once dreamed of becoming a singer but her career failed and her engagement was broken off. Despite that, she's resilient. Tomlinson has recently starred in Love Wedding Repeat. She’s also played Demelza on Poldark and has been in movies like Alice in Wonderland and Jack the Giant Slayer.
Denis O’Hare as Doctor Edmund Hague: O’Hare plays a sinister American doctor that works on finding the source of the Touched’s powers. It’s a role familiar to O’Hare fans from his characters on American Horror Story. O’Hare is also well-known for his role as Tyr on American Gods and other dramas like Big Little Lies, True Blood, The Good Wife and This Is Us.
The Nevers: Recurring Cast
Kiran Sonia Sawar as Harriet Kaur: An aspiring lawyer, Harriet is one of the Touched. She can transform objects into glass. Sawar previously starred in the Black Mirror episode “Crocodile” and dramas Next of Kin and Silent Witness.
Elizabeth Berrington as Lucy Best: Berrington, who has appeared in a number of British series, from The Office to Midsummer Murders, plays a streetwise Touched woman with a tragic past.
Ella Smith as Desirée Blodgett: Blodgett is also one of the Touched, with the ability to get others to reveal their secrets. Smith previously starred in the comedy series Hoff the Record as Harriet Fitzgerald and in the drama Babylon.
Viola Prettejohn as Myrtle Haplisch: Myrtle is a Touched girl who can speak only in unknown languages. Viola Prettejohn previously appeared in The Witcher as Fake Ciri.
Anna Devlin as Primrose Chattoway: Primrose is a Touched girl who measures up to ten feet tall. Devin has appeared in the series 12 Monkeys and the movie All the Money in the World.
Martyn Ford as Nicolas "Odium" Perbal: A member of the Touched, Odium is a henchman who will do anybody’s work for any money. Ford has appeared in Kingsman: The Golden Circle.
Vinnie Heaven as Nimble Jack: Heaven, who counts The Nevers as his first role, plays the charming thief Nimble Jack.