The cast of CODA features a talented actors in the coming-of-age story that helped lead it to win Best Picture at the Oscars. The movie is particularly notable for featuring several Deaf actors in central roles as part of the main Rossi family. The CODA cast is a mixture of up-and-coming actors and veterans who are finally receiving a chance to shine.
Directed by Sian Heder, CODA is centered on teenager Ruby Rossi, the hearing child of two deaf adults. Ruby finds herself torn between her passion for music and her role as her family's interpreter and bridge to the hearing world. CODA is a remake of a French film and received considerable buzz when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival before later being released for streaming on Apple TV+. In addition to receiving positive reviews, CODA became a breakout indie hit that led to it winning three Oscars including Best Picture.
Emilia Jones as Ruby Rossi
Emilia Jones plays the central role of Ruby, a high school senior who also works part-time on her family's fishing boat. Her blue-collar background and shyness make her something of an outcast in her school, but she comes out of her shell when she joins a singing class at school. However, she continues to struggle with the idea of pursuing her dream and being there for her family who needs her. Jones is a British actress who appeared as a child in series such as Doctor Who and Utopia. She is also known for playing Kinsey Locke in Netflix's Locke and Key. Jones also performed most of the songs in CODA herself. She recieved a BAFTA award nomination for her role in CODA.
Troy Kotsur as Frank Rossi
Frank is Emilia's father, a grizzled fisherman who often clashes with his daughter. He relies on her as part of their fishing crew as they are not allowed to operate the boat without someone who can hear. Playing a key role in CODA's emotional ending, Kotsur has received universal praise for his performance and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor becoming the first deaf person to win an acting Oscar since his costar Marlee Matlin in 1987. Kotsur has been a veteran of Deaf theatre since the 1990s, and has also had small roles in TV series like Scrubs and The Mandalorian.
Marlee Matlin as Jackie Rossi
Jackie is Ruby's understanding but often fierce mother, played by Marlee Matlin. Jackie finds it harder to connect with Ruby as she is not Deaf but never stops showing how much she loves her Matlin is one of America's best-known Deaf actresses. She previously won the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1986 for her role in the drama Children of a Lesser God, and has also had guest roles on popular TV shows ranging from the powerful political player Joey Lucas in The West Wing to one of Jerry's girlfriends in Seinfeld.
Daniel Durant as Leo Rossi
Also helping to bring CODA's to life is Daniel Durant as Ruby's brother Leo. Leo also works on the family fishing boat and often clashes with Ruby. Though their relationship is quite tense as Leo wants to prove that he doesn't need his sister around to help them get by in life, he also is the first one in the family to push Ruby to pursue her music. Durant's breakout role was on the young adult series Switched at Birth, where he played Matthew. He also had a guest role on Netflix's You. He is another example of how, unlike the controversial choice in CODA's original French move, this remake was dedicated to bringing Deaf actors into the cast.
Coda Supporting Cast & Characters
Ferdia Walsh-Peelo as Miles: Miles is a fellow music student who Ruby is paired with for the choir recital and develops feelings for. Walsh-Pedro has previously played King Alfred on Vikings and Conor in Sing Street.
Eugenio Derbez as Bernardo "Mr. V." Villalobos: Mr. V is Ruby's supportive choir director. Derbez is best known for appearing in Spanish-language productions, including his movie Instructions Not Included. He has also appeared in American comedies like Overboard and The Valet.
Amy Forsyth as Gertie: Gertie is Ruby's best friend who also has a crush on Leo and eventually begins a relationship with him. Forsyth has had regular roles in numerous TV series including The Gilded Age and The Path.