Just a few days ago, Apple TV+ released one of the most eagerly awaited projects of the year:The Crowded Room. This psychological thriller miniseries is Akiva Goldsman’s brainchild, and has been created based on Daniel Keyes' bookThe Minds of Billy Milligan, even though it is not a straight adaptation of it. In the series, Tom Holland stars in one of the most challenging leading roles of his career, as Danny Sullivan, a young man from New York City who gets arrested in 1979 for his apparent involvement in a brutal shooting. However, as he undergoes a series of interviews with Detective Rya Goodwin, a number of things from his past that led to the crime come to light, as well as other revelations that even he is unaware of.
The Crowded Roompremiered its first three episodes on June 9. This season comprises 10 episodes, with the last one hitting Apple TV+ on July 28. Despite the huge buzz around this production, it seems that the show did not live up to the hype: reviews so farhave been quite merciless, pointing out that the story takes too long to develop and is, at many times, very repetitive. Currently, it has barely scored 33% onRotten Tomatoes, a much lower rate than expected.
Despite all of this, there is one element of the show that has been highlighted by many: the performances of the cast. Joining Holland in this production are some top industry stars who have worked on hugely popular projects over the years. Here’s a look back at some ofThe Crowded Roomcast’s past performances.
Tom Holland
Tom Hollandhas been involved in film, theater, and television for several years, although the world probably remembers him primarily for his portrayal ofPeter Parker/Spider-Manin the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starring inSpider-Man: Homecoming,Far From Home,andNo Way Home,among other films in the universe.
Thanks to this performance, Holland became the youngest actor to play a leading role in the MCU, and he also managed to landvery important rolesin films such asThe Devil All the TimeandUncharted, the 2022 film based on the popular video game. However, prior to his involvement in the MCU Tom was also featured in some very important projects. Among them, the disaster drama filmThe Impossible, in which he made his film acting debut alongside Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor,The Lost City of Z,andEdge of Winter.
Related:Why Tom Holland Is Taking a Break from Acting
Amanda Seyfried
Amanda Seyfriedjoins Holland inThe Crowded Roomas Rya Goodwin, lead investigator on the case. This actress has been in the entertainment industry for years, and has participated inproductions of all kinds, from blockbusters to indie films, excelling in each and every one of her roles. While Seyfriend has been involved in TV projects since 1999, she made her film debut in the 2004 teen comedyMean Girls, which became a cult classic that audiences still love to this day. She went on to star in adult-oriented productions, such as the dramaNine Livesand the popular 2008 musical comedyMamma Mia!Among the best-known films of her career areDear John,Jennifer’s Body,andLes Misérables.
In addition to a successful film career, Seyfried’s portfolio also features some TV productions that launched her to fame, such asBig Love, the HBO drama in which she co-starred with Bill Paxton, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Chloë Sevigny, and Ginnifer Goodwin. Last year, she landed her first starring role on TV in the miniseriesThe Dropout, based on thestory of Elizabeth Holmesand her company Theranos, which earned Seyfried great acclaim.
Sasha Lane
Sasha Lanemade her acting debut just a few years ago, in the 2016 road drama filmAmerican Honey, a hugely acclaimed production that earned her widespread acclaim. After landing this role, she went on to score movies and short films of all kinds, most notablyThe Miseducation of Cameron Post,Hearts Beat Loud,andHow to Blow Up a Pipeline, a 2022 film in which she also served as executive producer.
A few years after making her feature film debut, Lane made a cameo in the 2020 anthology seriesAmazing Stories, and a year later she joined the MCU to play Hunter C-20 inLoki, starring Tom Hiddleston. In 2022, she starred alongside Alison Oliver, Joe Alwyn, and Jemima Kirke in the TV seriesConversations with Friends, inspired by Sally Rooney’s novel of the same name. InThe Crowded Room, Lane plays Ariana.
Will Chase
Will Chaseis an actor, filmmaker and singer who has been excelling in the industry for several years, and is known, above all things, for his work on stage in several Broadway plays that earned him many accolades. After some years working on stage plays, the actor made his film debut in the 2000 crime thrillerShaft, directed by John Singleton and starring Samuel L. Jackson.
After that, he mostly devoted himself to working in television, landing small roles in shows likeOne Life to Live,Smash,andThe Good Wife, until he landed what is, so far, his best-known TV role: Luke Wheeler in the ABC seriesNashville. In 2018, Chase joined the cast ofAmerican Crime Story’s second season as Detective Paul Scrimshaw. In the new Apple TV+ series, Will plays Marlin, the main character’s stepfather.
Lior Razwas cast to play Yitzak Safdie. The actor and screenwriter has been involved in several films and TV shows since his debut in 2000, but without a doubt, his most important project so far is the Israeli showFauda, created with Avi Issacharoff drawing on their experiences in the Israel Defense Forces. Apart from creating this production, Raz leads the cast over four seasons as Doron Kabillio.
Among his most relevant TV projects is also the 2021 Netflix seriesHit & Run, also starring himself. Raz holds a few film credits in his portfolio as well, most notablyOperation Finaleand6 Underground.
Emmy Rossum
Actress and singerEmmy Rossumplays Candy, the main character’s mother, although in real life she is only10 years olderthan Holland. Just like her fellow cast mate, Rossum started in the industry at a very young age, excelling in many projects before she came of age. One of the most prominent roles of her career was in the 2004 disaster filmThe Day After Tomorrow, and that same year she would gain even wider recognition for her co-starring part in the film adaptation ofThe Phantom of the Opera.
In addition to her film roles, Rossum also excelled in television, where she achieved her most memorable role to date: Fiona Gallagher in the Showtime television seriesShameless, for which she received several nominations and awards. Over the years, Rossum also launched herself into directing and producing. One of her most recent projects is Nancy Oliver’s miniseriesAngelyne, in which she stars and serves as executive producer.
Related:Tom Holland Reveals Why He Was More Careful With The Crowded Room Spoilers Than With The MCU Movies
Emma Laird
Emma Lairdjoined the industry quite recently, after several years working as a model. However, although her acting career is just kicking off, her skills already hold great promise. In 2021, Laird joined the cast of the TV seriesMayor of Kingstown, starring Jeremy Renner. This production, which premiered its second season last January, also features Dianne Wiest, Hugh Dillon, and Taylor Handley. Among the actress' upcoming projects is Kenneth Branagh’s thriller filmA Haunting in Venice, which is due for release this September. InThe Crowded Room, Laird plays Annabelle.
Thomas Sadoski
The actor who plays Matty Dunn inThe Crowded Roomspent the first years of his career focusing on theatrical productions, and only made it to theaters in 2000, as part of Amy Heckerling’s teen rom-comLoser. Since then,Thomas Sadoskihas appeared in several popular films, such asJohn Wickand its 2017 sequel,The Mimic, andStalking the Bogeyman. He also knew how to stand out on TV, making cameos in shows such asLaw & Order: Special Victims UnitandUgly Betty. His most important roles on TV so far were in the showsThe NewsroomandLife in Pieces.
Christopher Abbott
Christopher Abbottis another one of the actors in this cast who has been able to stand out in film, TV and theater, and as time went by he became known for his involvement in several indie films. After his film debut in the 2011 movieMartha Marcy May Marlene, he went on to land roles in productions such asJames White,A Most Violent Year,andSanctuary, the 2022 thriller film he stars in alongside Margaret Qualley.
However, although Abbott spent most of his time in film, one of the best-known roles of his career arrived through a TV project, the HBO seriesGirls. In it, he starred as Charlie Dattolo from 2012 to 2016. Another popular project in his career isThe Sinner, a show in which he co-starred alongside Bill Pullman, Jessica Biel, Dohn Norwood, and Abby Miller.
Jason Isaacs
Rounding out this list isJason Isaacs, who stars as Jack Lamb. And, to be honest, Isaacs is a very well-known face in the industry, as over the years he has been involved in a number of productions for all audiences. He is probably best known worldwide for his two most popular roles: Lucius Malfoy in theHarry Potterfilm series and Captain Hook in the 2003 filmPeter Pan.
However, his career in both film and television is quite extensive, featuring films such asThe Patriot,Armageddon,andAbduction, among many, many others. His TV projects brought him almost as much acclaim as his films, as he has excelled in shows such asBrotherhood,Case Histories,andStar Trek: Discovery.
