A24's The Green Knight has a small but potent cast of characters led by talented stars; here's where you've seen them before. The David Lowery-directed film is an adaptation of the late 14th-century Arthurian legend poem "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight." It tells the tale of Gawain, nephew of King Arthur and a young man who has yet to find his purpose. When the opportunity arises in the form of the Green Knight challenging him to a strange duel, it sets him on an epic quest that will see Gawain tested to discover what kind of man he is.
Thus far, The Green Knight is receiving rave reviews and currently holds an impressive 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes. In particular, the film's lush, striking imagery and stunning visuals are getting a lot of praise, as is the inventive and eerie sound design. Star Dev Patel is also receiving well-deserved accolades for his work in the movie, at times vulnerable, brash, and flawed while still being likable.
While it's Patel's movie to carry, he doesn't do it completely alone. The Green Knight features a talented cast that, despite having limited roles, each brings something necessary to the screen. Here's a cast and character guide for The Green Knight and where you might have seen these actors before.
Dev Patel as Gawain
Dev Patel stars as Gawain, King Arthur's young and wayward nephew who has yet to prove himself to become a full-fledged Knight of the Round Table. When the Green Knight shows up at Camelot and challenges Arthur's men to a game, it sets Gawain on a quest that will see him grow from a boy to a man. Patel's breakout role was 2008's Slumdog Millionaire, and he's starred in films like The Last Airbender and Chappie. He's also known for playing Sonny Kapoor in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and its sequel, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. He most recently received raves for his turn as the titular character in The Personal History of David Copperfield.
Ralph Ineson as The Green Knight
Ralph Ineson's sonorous voice (and figure) is the one behind The Green Knight. A magical, mystical being, the Green Knight shows up to challenge Arthur's men. He serves as an avatar of the natural and pagan world and serves as the spiritual judge of Gawain's worth. Coincidentally, this isn't the first Arthurian legend tale Ineson has appeared in: his first notable Hollywood film was 1995's First Knight. He gained recognition in his native England for his TV work on the UK version of The Office, Coronation Street, and Suburban Shootout. Other TV credits include playing Dagmer Cleftjaw in Game of Thrones and voicing The Hunter in The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. He's also appeared as Amycus Carrow in the Harry Potter series, in 2010's Robin Hood reboot with Russell Crowe, and was most recently seen as Irish gangster Jim McAlester in Gunpowder Milkshake.
Alicia Vikander as Essel/The Lady
Alicia Vikander pulls double duty in The Green Knight, first playing Gawain's favored consort, Essel, and later the lady of the castle in which Gawain finds himself for a few days. The Swedish actress should be well-known to audiences thanks to her extensive tentpole work including playing Lara Croft in the new Tomb Raider movie, Gaby in The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Heather in Jason Bourne, Alice in Seventh Son, and Ava in Ex Machina, arguably her breakout film role. Prestige films include The Danish Girl, Anna Karenina, and A Royal Affair.
Joel Edgerton as The Lord
Joel Edgerton plays the rough-hewn lord of the castle where Gawain stops to rest and recover for a few days. But the lord has his own sort of game for Gawain, one that will test both his honesty and his honor. Edgerton's Hollywood break came playing Owen Lars in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith. Edgerton himself played Gawain in 2004's King Arthur and appeared in Zero Dark Thirty, Smokin' Aces, The Great Gatsby, and Bright. He appeared in both of director Jeff Nichols' 2016 films, Loving and Midnight Special. Most recently, he could be spotted playing Ridgeway in The Underground Railroad miniseries. And he'll be reprising his role of Owen Lars in the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series.
The Green Knight Supporting Cast
Sean Harris as King Arthur - Gawain's uncle and the noble but fading King of Camelot. Harris is known for playing villain Solomon Lane in the Mission: Impossible movies, Fifield in Prometheus, and Ian Curtis in 24 Hour Party People.
Katie Dickie as Queen Guinevere - Wife of Arthur and the wise and benevolent Queen of Camelot. Dickie is best known as Lysa Arryn in Game of Thrones, Agnes in The Pillars of the Earth, Ford in Prometheus, and Nathalie Kensington in The Complex: Lockdown.
Sarita Choudhury as Gawain's Mother / Morgan le Fay - Magical mother to Gawain whose machinations summon the Green Knight. Her credits include playing Kith Lyonne on Jessica Jones, Mira Berenson on Homeland, and Egeria in the Hunger Games movies.
Barry Keoghan as the Scavenger - A cutthroat and thief Gawain comes across on his journey. Keoghan is known for TV series Love/Hate and Rebellion, 2017 film The Killing of a Sacred Deer, and playing George in Dunkirk. He'll next be seen in Marvel's Eternals.
Erin Kellyman as Saint Winifred - A mysterious young woman who presents Gawain with a test. Kellyman has gained traction as of late, appearing in Solo: A Star Wars Story and as Karli Morgenthau in The Falcon & The Winter Soldier. She'll next be seen playing Jade in the upcoming Willow series.
Megan Tiernan as Gawain's Queen - A young princess Gawain marries in a flash-forward of his life. The Green Knight is her first role.
