The Trial of the Chicago 7 features a loaded ensemble cast, so who are the main players and where have you seen them before? Aaron Sorkin wrote and directed the historical drama, based on the true story of Vietnam War protestors who were accused of starting riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The Trial of the Chicago 7 released in October 2020 on Netflix.
Known as a master of character dialogue, Sorkin created and wrote the TV shows Sports Night, The West Wing, and Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip before writing the Oscar-winning adapted screenplay for David Fincher's 2010 film The Social Network. Sorkin later made his directorial debut with Molly's Game, another adaption that was mostly well-received by critics. With The Trial of the Chicago 7, Sorkin is right in his wheelhouse for a film that includes a multitude of elite performers and a narrative that primarily takes place in a courtroom. Sorkin has also written adapted screenplays for Charlie Wilson's War, Moneyball, and Steve Jobs.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 main cast includes Oscar nominees and younger performers who receive breakout opportunities. The Trial of the Chicago 7 supporting cast is led by a TV and movie veteran who recently starred in high-profile Netflix superhero film Project Power. Beyond that, there are several other male and female performers who audiences will recognize from popular streaming hits. Here's a complete cast and character guide for the last production from the multi-talented Sorkin.
Sacha Baron Cohen As Abbie Hoffman
Sacha Baron Cohen stars as Abbie Hoffman, a leader of the Youth International Party. In pop culture, Cohen is best known for starring in the mockumentary films Borat and Brüno. He also portrayed Jean Girard in Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and Thénardier in Les Misérables.
Jeremy Strong As Jerry Rubin
Jeremy Strong stars as Jerry Rubin, a leader of the Youth International Party. Strong currently stars Kendall Roy in Succession. He's also known for portraying Vinny Daniel in The Big Short and Matthew in The Gentleman.
John Carroll Lynch As David Dellinger
John Carroll Lynch stars as David Dellinger, the non-violent leader of the Mobilization to End the War in Vietnam (The Move). Lynch portrayed Norm Gunderson in Fargo and numerous characters in American Horror Story.
Eddie Redmayne As Tom Hayden
Eddie Redmayne stars as Tom Hayden, a leader of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). Redmayne won an Oscar for his performance as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything. He also portrayed Marius in Les Misérables and Lili in The Danish Girl.
Alex Sharp As Rennie Davis
Alex Sharp co-stars as Rennie Davis, a leader of the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS). Sharp portrayed Luke in To the Bone and Thomas Westerburg in The Hustle.
Daniel Flaherty As John Froines
Daniel Flaherty co-stars as John Froines, an academic who was charged with interstate travel for purposes of inciting a riot. Flaherty portrayed Max in The Leftovers and Matthew Beeman in The Americans.
Noah Robbins As Lee Weiner
Noah Robbins co-stars as Lee Weiner, an academic who was charged with interstate travel for purposes of inciting a riot. Robbins portrayed Zach in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Merle Howard in Billions.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II As Bobby Seale
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II stars as Bobby Seale, the National Chairman of the Black Panther Society. Abdul-Mateen II most famously portrays David Kane/Black Manta in the Aquaman movie franchise, a role he will return to the DCEU for in the sequel. He also portrayed Russel Thomas/Weyland in Us and Cal Abar/Doctor Manhattan in HBO's Watchmen.
The Trial Of The Chicago 7 Supporting Cast
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Richard Schultz: A prosecutor in the Chicago 7 trial. Joseph Gordon-Levitt rose to fame as Tommy Solomon on Third Rock from the Sun. He's best known for portraying Arthur in Inception and Frank in Project Power.
J. C. MacKenzie as Tom Foran: A prosecutor in the Chicago 7 trial. J. C. MacKenzie has appeared in the Martin Scorsese films The Departed, The Wolf of Wall Street, and The Irishman.
Michael Keaton as Ramsey Clark: The Attorney General. Michael Keaton starred as Batman in the 1989 film and portrayed the title character in Beetlejuice. In recent years, he starred as Riggan in Birdman and appeared as Adrian Toomes in Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Frank Langella as Judge Julius Hoffman: The judge for the Chicago 7 trial. Frank Langella won an Oscar for his performance as Richard Nixon in Frost/Nixon. He recently portrayed Gabriel in The Americans and Sebastien in Kidding.
Mark Rylance as William Kunstler: A defense attorney for the Chicago 7. Mark Rylance is best known for his Oscar-winning performance as Rudolf Abel in Bridge of Spies. He also portrayed Mr. Dawson in Dunkirk and the title character in Steven Spielberg's box office dud The BFG.
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Fred Hampton: A member of the Black Panther. Kelvin Harrison Jr. starred as Luce Edgar in Luce and Tyler in Waves. He recently portrayed Teddy Greene in Godfather of Harlem.
Ben Shenkman as Leonard Weinglass: A defense attorney for the Chicago 7. Ben Shenkman portrayed Lenny Meyer in Pi and currently appears as Ira Schirmer in Billions.
Alice Kremelberg as Bernardine: Leonard's colleague. Alice Kremelberg portrayed Nicole Eckelcamp in Orange Is the New Black and Abby in Monsterland.
John Doman as John N. Mitchell: The Attorney General. John Doman portrayed William A. Rawls in The Wire and Carmine Falcone in Gotham. He currently appears as Jonah Vogelbaum in The Boys.
Damian Young as Howard Ackerman: The Special Advisor to the Attorney General. Damian Young portrays Jim Rattelsdorf in Ozark.
Caitlin FitzGerald as Daphne O'Connor: An undercover officer. Caitlin FitzGerald portrayed Libby Masters in Masters of Sex and Tabitha in Succession.
Rory Cochrane as Homer: Rory Cochrane portrayed Slater in Dazed and Confused and Tim Speedle in CSI: Miami.
Wayne Duvall as Paul DeLuca: Wayne Duvall portrayed Homer Stokes in O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Don in The Hunt.
Max Adler as Officer Stan Wojohowski: Max Adler portrayed Dave Karofsky in Glee.
The Trial of the Chicago 7 received a brief theatrical run in September 2020 before releasing on Netflix. The streaming service acquired distribution rights from Paramount Pictures because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.