Death on the Nile cast and character guide. After starring and directing Murder on the Orient Express, Kenneth Branagh returns as Hercule Poirot in Death on the Nile (which he also directs), leading an ensemble cast of characters. Set in 1937, Death on the Nile follows Poirot on holiday in Egypt. After reuniting with his friend Bouc, who invites him to the marriage party of Simon Doyle and Linnet Ridgeway, an heiress whose family and friends are seemingly drawn to because of her wealth. When Jacqueline de Bellefort, Simon’s ex, reappears, things take a turn. When someone is murdered while on the S.S. Karnak, Poirot searches for the killer.
The casts of murder mysteries are usually large so as to have a lot of potential killers and victims hiding in the bunch. A big part of what makes Death on the Nile intriguing is due to its ensemble cast, which includes a familiar face from Murder on the Orient Express and two superhero movie actors. The Agatha Christie adaptation offers a chance for each member of the cast to shine with their own intriguing characters.
Kenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot
Hercule Poirot is a famous private detective who finds himself investigating a murder on the S.S. Karnak in Egypt after being invited on the trip by his friend Bouc. The movie also delves into Poirot's backstory, including his time during the war while giving insight as to why he always heeds his superior instincts and observations.
This is the second film Kenneth Branagh has portrayed Hercule Poirot, the previous film being Murder on the Orient Express. He will reprise the role again in the upcoming A Haunting in Venice. The actor’s previous work in front of the camera includes several projects with Christopher Nolan Tenet, Dunkirk, and the upcoming Oppenheimer. Macbeth, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Wild Wild West, and voicing the animated Miguel in The Road to El Dorado.
Tom Bateman as Bouc
Bouc is Poirot's friend, the son of Euphemia, and an acquaintance of Linnet Ridgeway, a socialite and heiress. Bouc is able to fill Poirot in on all the intrigue and relationships of the various players while he also gets sucked into the intrigue by hiding a secret romance. In Death on the Nile, Bouc is portrayed by Tom Bateman, who once returns to the role after being part of the Murder on the Orient Express cast, Much Ado About Nothing, Cold Pursuit, Snatched, and the TV series Jekyll and Hyde, Into the Dark, and Vanity Fair.
Gal Gadot as Linnet Ridgeway-Doyle
Linnet Ridgeway is an heiress who marries Simon Doyle after knowing him for six weeks. She is eager to start her new life but is uneasy with the appearance of her old friend and Simon's former partner, Jacqueline. As it turns out, Linnet's paranoia is not without reason. Linnet is played by Gal Gadot, who is best known for playing the title character in Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman 1984 though it remains unclear if she will continue playing Wonder Woman in James Gunn's new DCU. She has also been in big movies like Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Fast & Furious 6, and Netflix’s Red Notice alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Ryan Reynolds.
Emma Mackey as Jacqueline de Bellefort
Jacqueline de Bellefort was Linnet’s friend and the ex-fiancée of Simon Doyle who follows the pair around wherever they go. She brings a looming threat to the festivities as the spurned lover, however, she is also able to illicit sympathy, including from Poirot, as she has certainly been wronged. Jacqueline is portrayed by Emma Mackey, who is known for playing Maeve Wiley in Netflix’s Sex Education. She recently won a BAFTA Award for her performance in Emily and is part of the star-studded cast of Barbie.
Armie Hammer as Simon Doyle
Simon Doyle is Linnet’s husband and the ex-fiancé of Jacqueline de Bellefort. he is shown to be a loving husband to Linnet and wanting to protect her from the unhappiness Jacqueline's presence brings. However, he also seems to feel somewhat sorry for Jacqueline as well, defending her at times.
Simon is portrayed by Armie Hammer, who has disappeared from the public’s eye after sexual abuse allegations surfaced and he was subsequently dropped by his agent and publicist. Prior to all that, Hammer was known for his roles in Call Me by Your Name, The Social Network, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Sorry to Bother You, and the Ruth Bader Ginsberg biopic On the Basis of Sex.
Letitia Wright as Rosalie Otterbourne
Rosalie Otterbourne is Salome’s niece and business manager. She is also Linnet’s old classmate and one of the only people she trusts. Rosaline has her own secrets as she is the one who is carrying on an affair with Bouc which they are hiding from their disapproving families.
Rosalie is played by Letitia Wright, who is best known for portraying Shuri in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After appearing in Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, Wright became the new Black Panther in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. She has also appeared in Steve McQueen’s Small Axe, and the TV series Humans.
Sophie Okonedo as Salome Otterbourne
Salome Otterbourne is a jazz singer and Rosalie’s aunt. She is also someone that Poirot takes an interest in, even hinting at a romantic future for them. Salome is played by Sophie Okonedo, who earned an Oscar nominated for her role in Hotel Rwanda. She also appeared in The Secret Life of Bees, Hellboy, and Ace Venture: When Nature Calls. She will soon reteam with her Death on the Nile costar Gal Gadot in the Netflix thriller Heart of Stone.
Annette Bening as Euphemia
Euphemia Bouc is a painter and Bouc’s mother who doesn’t think the woman he loves is good enough for him. She is overly protective of her son and put off by Poirot's invesigation. Euphemia is played by Annette Bening, who is known best for her roles in American Beauty, The American President, 20th Century Women, Captain Marvel, Being Julia, The Kids Are All Right, The Report, and Ruby Sparks.
Ali Fazal as Andrew Katchadourian
Andrew Katchadourian is Linnet’s cousin and the family lawyer who handles her estate and all of her finances. Andrew is played by Ali Fazal, who is best known for Victoria & Abdul, Furious 7, and House Arrest. Fazal is also a well-known Bollywood actor, having starred in Fukrey and the TV series Mirzapur.
Death on the Nile Supporting Cast & Characters
Rose Leslie as Louise Bourget - Louise Bourget is Linnet’s maid. Louise is played by Rose Leslie, who is perhaps most famous for portraying Ygritte in Game of Thrones. She has also been in Downton Abbey, The Good Fight, and Vigil. Leslie recently played Claire Abshire in the TV adaptation of The Time Traveler’s Wife.
Russell Brand as Linus Windlesham - Linus Windlesham is a medical doctor and Linnet’s ex-fiancé who has remained friends with her. Linus is portrayed by Russell Brand, who is best known for roles in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek, Rock of Ages, and voicing Dr. Nefario in the Despicable Me franchise.
Jennifer Saunders as Marie Van Schuyler - Marie Van Schuyler is Linnet’s godmother and a socialite-turned-communist. She is portrayed by Jennifer Saunders, who is best known for voicing the Fairy Godmother in Shrek 2, and starring in the TV series Absolutely Fabulous and French and Saunders.
Dawn French as Mrs. Bowers - Mrs. Bowers is Marie Van Schuyler’s nurse and companion. In Death on the Nile, Mrs. Bowers is played by Dawn French, who is known for her roles in French and Saunders, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Vicar of Dibley, and Murder Most Horrid. She also voiced the Beaver in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.
