Ava DuVernay‘s “Caste” has been shooting in Savannah, GA for weeks without any casting news save for “King Richard” star Aunjanue Ellis leading the cast. But now Deadline has the scoop on who joins Ellis for the upcoming film, and it’s an intriguing list. Niecy Nash-Betts, Jon Bernthal, Vera Farmiga, Nick Offerman, Jasmine Cephas Jones, and Connie Nielson are all on board for DuVernay’s race drama.
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Based on Isabel Wilkerson‘s 2020 international bestseller, “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents,” Duvernay’s film chronicles racism in America today through various social, economic, and cultural strands. Wilkerson’s book made the shortlist for several awards a few years ago, prompting DuVerynay to find a way to bring it onto the big screen.
Nash-Betts leads the ABC show “The Rookie: Feds,” but her other recent work notched a few nominations. She won a Critics Choice Award for her performance in Netflix‘s “Dahmer,” and received an Emmy nod for another Netflix limited series, DuVernay’s “When They See Us.”
As for Bernthal, he continues to flex his acting strengths in lots of diverse roles. TV performances for him last year include HBO‘s “We Own This City,” Showtime‘s “American Gigolo,” and a brief cameo role in FX‘s sensation “The Bear.” Recent film work includes “King Richard” and Lena Dunham‘s “Sharp Stick.”
Vera Farmiga has worked with DuVernay before, on “When They See Us.” Other recent work for the actress includes Apple‘s “Five Days At Memorial,” Marvel‘s “Hawkeye” on Disney+, and “The Many Saints Of Newark” with Bernthal.
Offerman stars in HBO’s “The Last Of Us,” premiering on the network now. Other recent work includes Netflix’s “Colin In Black And White” and Peacock‘s “The Resort.” Other upcoming roles for Offerman include the GameStop short comedy “Dumb Money” and “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two.”
Jones won an Emmy for her role in the short series “#Freerayshawn.” Other recent work for the actress includes the Starz series “Blindspotting,” 2020’s “Honest Thief” with Liam Neeson, and the “Hamilton” musical film.
American audiences know Danish actress Nielson best from her playing Lucilla opposite Russell Crowe in 2000’s “Gladiator.” More recent performances for Nielson include turns on “I Am The Night,” Close To Me,” and “The Dreamer – Becoming Karen Blixen.” She also starred as Queen Hippolyta in the “Wonder Woman” films and opposite Bob Odenkirk in the 2021 action romp “Nobody.”
“Caste” was once attached to Netflix, but now DuVernay’s latest is looking for a new distributor. After shooting wraps in Georgia, the film moves on to shoot in Germany and India later this year, so unclear if this film gets a 2023 theatrical release.
