Meet Netflix's Ripley's Full Cast From Dakota Fanning To Andrew Scott

17 April 2024, 14:09

Netflix's Ripley has a star-studded cast, from Dakota Fanning to Andrew Scott. Here's a full list of who plays who in the new TV show gripping audiences.

We’ve all watched or at least heard of the 1999 film The Talented Mr Ripley, with the star-studded cast that included Matt Damon, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett and the late Phillip Seymour Hoffman and now Netflix has decided to get in on the story.

Going back to the source material, the streaming service has released an eight-part TV adaptation of the novel written by Patricia Highsmith back in 1955 and has brought along a brilliant cast to play it including Andrew Scott, Eliot Sumner and Dakota Fanning.

Ripley follows Tom Ripley, who was hired by a wealthy man to find his son Dickie Greenleaf. Dickie’s lived it large in Italy and relied on his trust fund for too long, and now his father wants him to return home. But Tom’s first steps into the glitzy life of the upper class soon lead him into a life of fraud and murder.

• Read more: Is Netflix’s Ripley Based On A True Story?
• Read more: Is 'Ripley' All In Black And White And What's The Reason?

But who has starred in Netflix’s thrilling adaptation of Ripley? From Andrew Scott to Dakota Fanning, here’s the full cast list.

Who plays Tom Ripley in Ripley?

Andrew Scott has the leading role of Tom Ripley. The actor has carved a space for himself in the British film industry after appearing in likes of Sherlock next to Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, as well as Fleabag next to Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

Most recently, Andrew’s film All Of Us Strangers was highly praised, winning several nominations and awards throughout the 2024 award season.

Acting across from Paul Mescal, fans of the film were outraged when they believed it was snubbed of any nominations at the Oscars in 2024.

Andrew’s speciality in character-acting has fans holding high hopes for what he will do with his version of Tom Ripley.

Speaking to Interview magazine, he discussed how he planned to make it his own. "When you’re playing those famous literary characters, you don’t want to just copy,"

"I’m interested in the idea of what queerness is, and otherness because that’s what I think it’s about. The reason he’s such an interesting character is you can’t quite place him.

"If Tom Ripley was in a gay bar, I’m not sure that he would fit in there. Nor do I think he’s a straight character. I think he’s a queer character, in the sense that he’s very other. What’s his relationship with sex, or death, or with family or friends? It’s interesting that a character is the sum of the parts that you don’t have to play."

Andrew's an openly gay man himself, so he's sure to bring a certain level of authenticity to his depiction of Ripley.

Who plays Marge Sherwood in Ripley?

Dakota Fanning has returned to our screens in the role of Marge Sherwood. Marge was the romantic interest of Dickie Greenleaf and someone who had his best interests at heart.

Despite Tom’s charismatic nature, Marge saw right through his facade and attempted to warn Dickie of his sinister nature.

Dakota Fanning was an incredibly popular child actress in the 2000s, appearing in massive films such as I Am Sam, War Of The Worlds, Charlotte’s Web and The Cat In The Hat.

Whilst her career slowed somewhat in her adult years, Dakota has not stopped working on multiple projects. She's featured in the likes of The Twilight Saga and The Runaways across from Kristen Stewart as well as Oceans Eight and Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood.

Gwyneth played the role of Marge in the 1999 adaptation, however, her character was critiqued as being too two-dimensional.

Netflix’s version has planned to dig deeper into the characters, something that Dakota admitted attracted her to the role initially.

“I was thrilled to do a really deep dive into the character of Marge,” Dakota said to the Boston Herald, “When you have eight episodes to explore a story and characters, you get to go deeper and I was happy that that was what we were doing.“I liked getting to be somebody that was able to go toe-to-toe with Ripley. Marge and Tom have quite the dynamic and Andrew and I had so much fun exploring that.”

Dakota’s character was much more complex this time round, with an interest in writing, art and photography, her version of Marge was incredibly intelligent and someone that Ripley would find difficult to con.

Who plays Dickie Greenleaf in Ripley?

Johnny Flynn played the naive and spoiled son, Richard "Dickie" Greenleaf. Dickie was somewhat of a slacker who ran away from his responsibilities and wanted to wile away the hours in his family’s Italian villa.

It’s for this reason that his father hired Tom Ripley in the first place to go and ‘fetch’ him, however, that’s not how it goes down. Tom developed somewhat of an obsession with Dickie and the life he led and in his delusion, wanted Dickie’s life so much, that he wanted to become Dickie himself.

According to Collider, Netflix revealed how they plan to do Dickie differently, where this time, he’s not just “some spoiled rich kid, but rather one with a kind of sweet naïveté beneath his outward confidence, along with that laconic ease people who don’t have to worry about money have.”

Johnny has been in the industry for almost a decade, however, this may be his biggest role yet. You’ll recognise him from roles in Lovesick, Emma and Stardust. He most recently starred in the film One Life alongside Anthony Hopkins.

Who plays Freddie Miles in Ripley?

Eliot Sumner was cast in the recurring role of Freddie Miles. Freddie was Dickie’s childhood friend and he grew suspicious of Tom and his intentions after visiting Italy.

Originally played by Philip Seymour Hoffman in the 1999 film, rather than an ‘obnoxious aristocrat’ as his character was described, Eliot’s version will be more sophisticated and intelligent.

Freddie became suspicious of Tom from the start, much like Dakota’s Marge, and used his quiet personality and knowledge to thwart him.

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Elliot was relatively new to acting, with his career only really kicking off in 2019.

He appeared in Stardust alongside Johnny Flynn in 2007, but his better-known roles include The Gentleman and the 2021 James Bond film, No Time To Die. Elliot is also the son of the band The Police's lead singer Sting.

These four actors are the primary cast of the Netflix mini-series, however, there will be some big faces popping up in smaller roles throughout the series.

Watch the trailer for Ripley

Who plays Reeves Minot in Ripley?

John Malkovich played Reeves Minot in Netflix's Ripley.

His appearance in the show was kept secret for the longest time, however, it’s been confirmed that he will be playing the character of Reeves Minot.

Reeves was a friend to Tom, a seedy man with criminal connections. What’s interesting to note is that this is not John Malkavoich’s first time playing a role from 'The Talented Mr Ripley.'

He played the lead role of Tom Ripley in the 2022 adaptation called Ripley’s Game, based on the third book in the series.

Who plays Mrs Emily Greenleaf in Ripley?

Mrs Greenleaf only appears in one episode yet Ann Cusack makes an impact as Emily Greenleaf. American actress and sister to legendary actor John Cusack, you might be wondering where you've seen her face before.

Ann has had a long career and made appearances in almost every iconic American television show there is, with minor roles in films like Multiplicity (1996), A League of Their Own (1992), and The Informant! (2009).

And appearances in television series, including Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, One Tree Hill, Charmed, Ghost Whisperer, The Unit, Boston Legal, Bones, Frasier, Ally McBeal, Criminal Minds, Private Practice, Fargo, Better Call Saul, The Boys and The Good Doctor.

Who plays Mr Herbert Greenleaf in Ripley?

Screenwriter Kenneth Lonergan plays the role of Herbert Greenleaf. Kenneth is a playwright, screenwriter and director who has been nominated for an Oscar for his 2000 film, You Can Count on Me.

The writer-actor also wrote Manchester By The Sea, which he won an Oscar for in 2017. Kenneth is relatively new to acting having only appeared in a small number of films and TV shows that haven't been his own work.

Who plays Alvin McCarron in Ripley?

Alvin McCarron was played by Bokeem Woodbine who had a long career spanning from 1993.

Bokeem grew up in Harlem and at the age of 19 managed to snag a leading role in the HBO production of Strapped. which was directed by Forest Whittaker.

He's since starred in the likes of Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Fargo and Spiderman: Homecoming.

Who plays Inspector Ravini in Ripley?

Italian actor, Maurizio Lombardi played Inspector Pietro Ravini, an Italian inspector who investigated Tom Ripley.

With filming occurring in ​​Italy for three months, a majority of the side characters are also played by local Italian actors which only added to the believability of the show.

These talented actors include; Margherita Buy as Signora Buffi, Renato Solpietro as Carlo and Vittorio Viviani as Matteo

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