The Undoing features two big movie stars, so how do you know them and the supporting cast? The crime-themed miniseries was created by TV icon David E. Kelley, and centers on a murder mystery involving a wealthy New York family. Directed by Susanne Bier, The Undoing originally aired from October 25th to November 29th 2020 on HBO.
In The Undoing, Grace Fraser learns that her husband Jonathan, a doctor, has been accused of murder. On top of that, Jonathan admits to having an affair with the victim, Elena Alves, a woman that Grace had met on occasion in her social circles. Part of the HBO series plays out like a procedural, as Jonathan hires a powerful lawyer and attempts to explain his innocence. Meanwhile, Grace looks after her son Henry at home, and eventually uncovers crucial information about the focal murder. The Undoing consists of six hour-long episodes and was written by the aforementioned Kelley.
The Undoing main cast is anchored by two acclaimed performers who are mostly known for their movie careers. The supporting cast similarly includes notable names from the big screen, and the character Elena Alves is portrayed by an up-and-coming Italian actress, one who gives a commanding performance in the HBO series. Here’s a complete cast and character guide for The Undoing.
Nicole Kidman As Grace Fraser
Australian actress Nicole Kidman stars as Grace Fraser, a psychiatrist whose husband has been accused of murdering a woman he had an affair with. Kidman received Academy Award nominations for her performances in Moulin Rouge!, Rabbit Hole, and Lion. She won a Best Actress Oscar for The Hours, and recently starred as Celeste Wright in Big Little Lies.
Hugh Grant As Jonathan Fraser
English actor Hugh Grant co-stars as Jonathan Fraser, a renowned doctor who is accused of murdering the mother of a patient, Elena Alves. In an early twist, Grace learns that Jonathan had an affair with Elena. In pop culture, Grant is best known for starring in ’90s romantic comedies such as Notting Hill and Bridget Jones’s Diary. He’s a five-time Golden Globe-nominee who won for his performance in Four Weddings and a Funeral. In recent years, Grant portrayed Phoenix Buchanan in Paddington 2 and Fletcher in The Gentleman.
Noah Jupe As Henry Fraser
British actor Noah Jupe portrays Henry Fraser, the adolescent son of Grace and Jonathan. He’s initially skeptical of his father’s claims but seems happy to have the family together during the legal process. Jupe portrayed Marcus Abbott in A Quiet Place and Peter Miles in Ford v Ferrari. He also appeared as Doxy in Holmes & Watson and 12-year-old Otis in Honey Boy.
Edgar Ramírez As Joe Mendoza
Venezuelan actor Edgar Ramírez portrays Joe Mendoza, a detective who investigates Elena’s murder. He consistently pressures Grace while trying to understand the dynamics of her family. Ramírez is best known for portraying the title character in Carlos and Gianni Versace in American Crime Story. He recently starred in the Netflix films Wasp Network and The Last Days of American Crime.
Donald Sutherland As Franklin Reinhardt
Canadian actor Donald Sutherland co-stars as Franklin Reinhardt, the wealthy father of Grace who believes that Jonathan is guilty. Sutherland portrayed President Snow in The Hunger Games movie franchise and Hawkeye Pierce in M*A*S*H. In recent years, Sutherland appeared as J. Paul Getty in Trust and Thomas Pruitt in Ad Astra. He’s the father of actor Kiefer Sutherland.
Lily Rabe As Sylvia Steineitz
American actress Lily Rabe portrays Sylvia Steinitz, a friend and colleague of Grace who provides emotional support during the legal process. Rabe starred as the title character in Miss Stevens and has appeared in several seasons of American Horror Story. She recently portrayed Sharon Price in Finding Steve McQueen and Joanne Monroe in Fractured.
Noma Dumezweni As Haley Fitzgerald
British actress Noma Dumezweni portrays Haley Fitzgerald, Jonathan’s lawyer. Dumezweni portrayed Miss Penny Farthing in Mary Poppins Returns and Mrs. Lee in The Kid Who Would Be King. She also appeared as Edith Sikelo in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and Gillian in Hulu’s Normal People.
Matilda De Angelis As Elena Alves
Italian actress Matilda De Angelis rounds out the main cast as Elena Alves, the central murder victim who had an affair with Jonathan. De Angelis starred as Giulia in Italian Race and Matilde in Youtopia. In 2020, she starred as Maria in Divine.
Ismael Cruz Cordova as Fernando Alves
Elena’s husband. Ismael Cruz Cordova portrayed Rafael Torres in Berlin Station and David Rizzio in Mary Queen of Scots. He also appeared as Qin in The Mandalorian season 1.
Edan Alexander as Miguel Alves
Elena and Fernando’s son. Edan Alexander portrayed Louis in Two and a Half Men. He has also appeared in Kevin Can Wait and Succession.
Michael Devine as Detective Paul O’Rourke
Mendoza’s colleague. Michael Devine portrayed James ‘Tech” Padgett in Limitless and Sal in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel season 2‘s episode “Vote for Kennedy, Vote for Kennedy.”
Madeline Faye Santoriello as Sylvia’s Daughter
Madeline Faye Santoriello recently made her movie debut in The King of Staten Island. The Undoing marks her TV debut.
Sofie Gråbøl as Catherine Stamper
Sofie Gråbøl has appeared in The House That Jack Built and Gentleman Jack.
Fala Chen as Jolene McCall
Fala Chen portrayed Eugene Sum in Will Power and Qin Xiang in Sound of the Desert. She also appeared as Leiko Wu in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Jeremy Shamos as Robert Connaver
Jeremy Shamos portrayed Ralph in Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) and Bob Dalavan in The Big Sick.
Douglas Hodge as Robert Adelman
Douglas Hodge portrayed Alfred Pennyworth in Joker and Rolo Haynes in Black Mirror “Black Museum.” He also appeared as Douglas in Catastrophe and as Hastings in Lost in Space. Hodge currently plays Velementov in Hulu’s historically-inaccurate The Great.
Tarik Davis as Michael Hoffman
Tarik Davis portrayed Tarik in Brooklynification and Charlie’s Friend in Friends from College.
Maria Dizzia as Diane Porter
Maria Dizzia portrayed Katie in Martha Marcy May Marlene and Marina in While We’re Young.
Clint Jung as Judge Martin Shepley
Clint Jung portrayed Michael Chen in Mayans M.C. and General Ryuu Masuda in The Man in the High Castle.
Is The Undoing Season 2 Happening?
The Undoing tells a gripping story, and the limited series was a solid success for HBO when it launched. As a result, questions have been raised about whether there could ever be a follow-up season. But The Undoing season 2 seems very unlikely, as it has finished adapting its paper source material, Jean Hanff Korelitz’s 2014 novel You Should Have Known. Likewise, the central whodunit of the story has already been resolved, with Hugh Grant‘s Jonathan Fraser behind bars. Grant himself has said he’s not sure what his character would do in a season 2 of The Undoing due to the resolution of his character arc and central mystery. For audiences looking to dive into another gripping mystery series after The Undoing, there are plenty of other options, such as HBO’s Big Little Lies and The Flight Attendant, Netflix’s You, and the shows Nine Perfect Strangers and Sharp Objects, which are both streaming on Hulu.
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