Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Deep Water
Deep Water’s cast and characters are led by Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas as they depict the dangerous mind-games of Vic and Melinda Van Allen’s marriage. Hulu’s Deep Water was initially slated for a 2020 release date, but was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. After being set for a 2022 theatrical premiere, Disney removed the A-lister-starring Deep Water from their cinematic lineup, instead moving the erotic psychological thriller to an exclusive streaming release.
Directed by Adrian Lyne, who notably helmed erotic and psychological thrillers like Fatal Attraction and 9 ½ Weeks, Deep Water is an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s 1957 novel of the same name. Deep Water follows married couple Vic and Melinda Van Allen, who are in a largely loveless, passionless marriage while living in their tightly-knit community. The couple has entered an agreement in which Melinda can take on lovers as long as she doesn’t dissolve their family, which includes their daughter Trixie. However, Melinda’s public affairs attract much attention from the community, with her and Vic’s mind games proving dangerous to those who become entangled in them.
Hulu’s Deep Water features an ensemble cast that supports the growing dangers of Vic and Melinda’s marital conflicts. Several of the 2022 Disney film’s characters are portrayed by some of Hollywood’s top new actors, who also have experience in thrillers. Here’s a breakdown of the cast and characters for 2022’s Deep Water.
Ben Affleck As Vic Van Allen
Accomplished actor-director Ben Affleck stars in Deep Water as Vic Van Allen, the snail-obsessed husband of Melinda, who flaunts her various affairs in front of him. As Deep Water’s story of their turbulent marriage progresses, Vic’s anger becomes increasingly unraveled, which marks trouble for Melinda’s male “friends.” Affleck is best known for directing and starring in Argo and The Town, while having notable roles in Good Will Hunting, Armageddon, Gone Girl, and, on several occasions, the DCEU as Batman.
Ana De Armas As Melinda Van Allen
Deep Water’s main conflicts revolve around Vic’s passionate wife Melinda Van Allen, played by Cuban-Spanish actress Ana de Armas. Because her husband lacks a passion she craves, Melinda engages in numerous affairs with men she calls “friends” and she sees very publicly. Ana de Armas is making waves in Hollywood for her blockbuster roles in Blade Runner 2049, Knives Out, No Time to Die, and the upcoming biopic Blonde, where she’ll star as iconic actress and model Marilyn Monroe.
Tracy Letts As Don Wilson
While Vic and Melinda’s friends believe that his tale about killing Martin McCrae was a joke, Don Wilson, who recently moved to the community, thinks something more sinister lies behind the persona of actor Ben Affleck's character. A screenwriter who wrote a story about a man who solves a conspiracy in his town, Don takes this to the next level as he investigates the mysterious disappearances of men around Vic and Melinda. Don is portrayed by long-time actor Tracy Letts, who is best known for starring in Showtime’s Homeland, Lady Bird, The Post, and Ford v. Ferrari. Like his Deep Water character, Letts is also an accomplished screenwriter, who wrote the scripts for Bug, August: Osage County, and Netflix’s The Woman in the Window.
Grace Jenkins As Trixie Van Allen
Trixie is the 6-year-old daughter of Vic and Melinda Van Allen whose maturity and intelligence far surpass her age. Vic and Trixie have a very close bond, but it appears her relationship with Paloma actress Ana de Armas’ Deep Water character is strained based on the men she continually brings into their home. Disney’s 2022 film Deep Water is the feature acting debut of Grace Jenkins, who is bound to return to the screen for future roles due to the compelling nature of her performance.
Lil Rel Howery As Grant
Comedian Lil Rel Howery stars in his first psychological thriller as Grant, one of Vic Van Allen’s best friends. Deep Water's Grant continually advises Vic to stop Melinda from publicly broadcasting her affairs, even going with Vic to a piano lounge to spy on Melinda’s newest “friend,” Charlie. Lil Rel Howery is best known for starring in The Carmichael Show, Jordan Peele’s Get Out, Free Guy, and his self-named sitcom Rel.
Dash Mihok As Jonas Fernandez
Jonas is another of Vic Van Allen’s closest friends who defends Ben Affleck’s character’s lie about killing Martin McCrae as a joke. The red-haired husband of Jen is present at all of Deep Water’s parties during the film’s first act, and meets with Vic about how twisted it is that Melinda flaunts her extramarital relationships in front of everyone. Jonas is played by Dash Mihok, who is notable for his roles in Baz Luhrmann's Romeo + Juliet, Showtime’s Ray Donovan, The Thin Red Line, and the Warner Bros. Batman mythos TV show Gotham.
Brendan C. Miller As Joel Dash
Joel is the first of Melinda’s extramarital lovers that are introduced in Deep Water, as a young blonde guy who shows up to first the party the Van Allens attend. While Vic tries to pretend that he’s indifferent about Joel, he tries to scare him off by telling him that he killed the missing Martin McCrae, Melinda’s last notable “friend.” Deep Water’s character Joel is portrayed by Brendan C. Miller, who has also been featured in movies and TV shows like Red Sands, Project X, In Time, and Animal Kingdom.
Jacob Elordi As Charlie De Lisle
Since Deep Water’s screenplay was co-written by Euphoria creator Sam Levison, it’s no surprise Jacob Elordi plays a significant role in the 2022 film. Known for starring as Nate Jacobs in Euphoria and Noah Flynn in Netflix’s The Kissing Booth movies, Jacob Elordi stars in Deep Water as Charlie De Lisle, a piano player who is having an affair with Ana de Armas’ character, Melinda. After Melinda brings Charlie to a pool party at Jonas’ house, Deep Water’s conflict takes a thrilling turn.
Finn Wittrock As Tony Cameron
Tony is another of Melinda’s extramarital “friends” in Deep Water who she brings over to the house for dinner. The two are old friends who reconnected after chatting on Facebook, with Tony being enthusiastic about the sustainable living spaces he helps build in Brazil and the United States. Tony is played by Finn Wittrock, who is known for his many roles in Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story, Halloweentown High, La La Land, Ratched, and the upcoming Green Lantern series.
Deep Water's Supporting Cast & Characters
Rachel Blanchard as Kristen Peterson: One of Vic and Melinda’s friends in Deep Water who asks Vic about his Martin McCrae joke when spotting him at their kids’ school. Blanchard previously starred in the Clueless sitcom, Are You Afraid of the Dark?, and FX’s Fargo.
Kristen Connolly as Kelly Wilson: The wife of Don who Vic dances with at an outdoor party. Connolly is best known for her roles in The Cabin in the Woods, House of Cards, and Zoo.
Jade Fernandez as Jen Fernandez: The wife of Jonas, who makes cookies for the guests at the party that Charlie attends with Melinda. Fernandez has also been seen in Little, AHA, and Single Drunk Female.
Michael Braun as Jeff Peterson: The husband of Kristen, who is seen at the same pool party when everyone drinks and dances in the kitchen. Braun previously appeared in The Affair, The Tender Bar (alongside Ben Affleck), and Succession.
Devyn Tyler as Mary Washington: One of Vic and Melinda’s friends who first tells Vic about their concerns regarding Joel at Deep Water’s opening party scene. Tyler is known for her roles in Snowfall, Clarise, Watchmen, and The Purge series.
Jeff Pope as Chief Nichols: The local police chief who must investigate the death of a partygoer. Pope previously acted in The Underground Railroad as Connelly and Euphoria as Johnny.
Juliet Brett as Chelsea (Babysitter): The babysitter who watches Melinda and Vic’s daughter Trixie while they attend Deep Water’s many parties. Brett has also been seen in Fosse/Verdon and Red Oaks.