Netflix just dropped one of its most buzzworthy series of the year — The Boroughs — and the cast alone is reason enough to tune in. Starring a constellation of Hollywood legends and celebrated character actors, the show has quickly become a must-watch since its May 21, 2026 premiere. Whether you’re already bingeing or just curious about who’s who, here is a complete breakdown of the cast of The Boroughs, the characters they play, and why this ensemble is being called one of the best on television right now.
What Is The Boroughs?
Before diving into the cast, a quick primer on the show itself. The Boroughs is an eight-episode supernatural sci-fi drama created by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews — the duo behind The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance — and executive produced by Matt and Ross Duffer, the masterminds of Stranger Things. The series is set in a seemingly idyllic retirement community located in the New Mexico desert, where a group of unlikely heroes must band together to stop an otherworldly threat from stealing the one thing they don’t have — time.
All eight episodes dropped simultaneously on Netflix on May 21, 2026, and the show has already earned a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes with critics praising its rich character work, eerie atmosphere, and genuinely moving performances.
Main Cast of The Boroughs
Alfred Molina as Sam Cooper
Alfred Molina (Spider-Man: No Way Home, Frida) leads the cast as Sam Cooper, a recently widowed retired engineer who moves into The Boroughs reluctantly after his wife Lilly passes away. Sam is described as a card-carrying curmudgeon who has no intention of enjoying his time at the retirement community — he plans to leave as soon as he can convince himself it’s the right thing to do. A monstrous encounter forces him to reckon with his grief and rally his neighbors against a dark secret lurking beneath the surface of the community. Critics have called this one of Molina’s finest performances in years.
Geena Davis as Renee Joyce
Academy Award winner Geena Davis (Thelma & Louise, A League of Their Own) plays Renee Joyce, a free-spirited and boho-glamorous resident of The Boroughs who surprises herself by embarking on a fling with a younger security guard named Paz. Davis brings warmth and wit to a character who proves that adventure doesn’t have an expiration date.
Alfre Woodard as Judy Daniels
Four-time Emmy winner Alfre Woodard (Salem’s Lot, Desperate Housewives) plays Judy Daniels, who is navigating a degrading marriage to her husband Art when tensions rise in the community. Woodard brings formidable emotional depth to a role that reviewers have described as one of the show’s emotional anchors.
Denis O’Hare as Wally
Denis O’Hare (True Blood, American Horror Story) delivers what multiple critics are calling a standout performance as Wally, a former doctor facing a terminal Stage 4 prostate cancer diagnosis. Wally’s arc centers on his unexpected — and perhaps final — chance to be a hero. The showrunners specifically sought O’Hare for his ability to deliver dense medical dialogue as naturally as conversation.
Clarke Peters as Art Daniels
Clarke Peters (The Wire, Five Guys Named Moe) plays Art Daniels, Judy’s husband and a soulful spiritual seeker whose quiet strength and open mind make him the heart of the group. Peters has described Art as a man on a quest to understand something beyond ordinary consciousness — a journey that leads him toward a personal transformation.
Bill Pullman as Jack Willard
Bill Pullman (The Sinner, Independence Day) plays Jack Willard, Sam’s next-door neighbor who refuses to be put off by Sam’s grumpy exterior. Jack is one of the first to invite Sam into the cul-de-sac’s inner circle and plays a key role in setting the show’s sci-fi plot in motion.
Jena Malone as Claire Cooper
Jena Malone (The Hunger Games, Inherent Vice) plays Claire Cooper, Sam’s overtaxed daughter who is at her wit’s end trying to get her grieving father to settle into his new home. Malone brings believable frustration and love to the role, grounding the family drama at the heart of the series.
Carlos Miranda as Paz
Carlos Miranda (Station 19) plays Paz, a security guard at The Boroughs who finds himself drawn into the supernatural mystery when Renee — and then the whole group — pulls him in. His character bridges the staff and resident worlds of the community.
Seth Numrich as Blaine Shaw
Seth Numrich plays Blaine Shaw, the charismatic community manager of The Boroughs, who runs the seemingly perfect retirement community with his gorgeous wife Anneliese. Blaine’s cheerful authority takes on a sinister undertone as the season progresses.
Alice Kremelberg as Anneliese
Alice Kremelberg (Renegade Nell) plays Anneliese, Blaine’s wife, whose polished exterior and central role in community life make her a figure to watch as secrets begin to unravel.
Supporting Cast of The Boroughs
The supporting cast is equally stacked with recognizable names and talented performers:
- Ed Begley Jr. (Better Call Saul) as Edward
- Dee Wallace (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial) as Grace
- Eric Edelstein (Minx) as Hank
- Rafael Casal (Loki) as Neil
- Mousa Hussein Kraish (American Gods) as Dr. McGinnis
- Beth Bailey (Manhattan) as Kayleigh
- Karan Soni (Deadpool) as Toby
- Jane Kaczmarek (Malcolm in the Middle) as Lilly, Sam’s late wife
The Creative Team Behind The Boroughs
The show is created and showrun by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, who previously worked together on The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Executive producers include the Duffer Brothers (Matt and Ross Duffer of Stranger Things), Ben Taylor, and Hilary Leavitt. The series is produced by Upside Down Pictures — the Duffer Brothers’ production company — alongside Standard Rich & Famous.
Directing duties were split between Ben Taylor (Episodes 1–2), Augustine Frizzell (Episodes 3, 4, 7, and 8), and Kyle Patrick Alvarez (Episodes 5–6). The writing staff included Jose Molina, Julie Siege, Keith Sweet II, Tom Hanada, James Schamus, and Our Lady J, among others.
Critical Reception
The Boroughs has been met with widespread critical acclaim since its premiere. It currently holds a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 43 reviews, with an audience score of 84%. Critics have praised the show’s blend of emotional character drama, Stranger Things–adjacent supernatural intrigue, and the sheer quality of its ensemble performances. Reviews from outlets including Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and RogerEbert.com have highlighted Alfred Molina, Alfre Woodard, and Denis O’Hare as the core triumvirate driving the show’s emotional power.
The Stranger Things connection is deliberate and acknowledged — the sweet-spooky tone, the CGI creatures, and the nostalgia-laced aesthetic all bear the hallmarks of the Duffer Brothers’ sensibility — but The Boroughs distinguishes itself with its older ensemble cast and a thematic focus on aging, grief, and the unexpected resilience of people in their so-called “golden years.”
Where to Watch
All eight episodes of The Boroughs Season 1 are available to stream now on Netflix worldwide. The series premiered on May 21, 2026, and was filmed on location in New Mexico, USA.
If you’re already hooked on The Boroughs, drop your favorite character in the comments below — and make sure to bookmark this page for all the latest casting news, season updates, and episode recaps!