Among the praise The Haunting of Bly Manor has received, critics have generally mentioned the effectiveness of the cast’s performances. These actors deserve full marks for making the horror series stand out the way it did, although it should be expected if one is aware of their filmography.
Compared to other actors, Bly Manor’s cast has been in relatively fewer projects, which puts their impressive performances in more focus. After finishing up on the horror series, it’s worth looking into the past roles of the cast. This will attest to their talents and also give fans additional films and shows to immerse themselves in.
Victoria Pedretti: You (2018-Present)
A man with a streak of obsessive interest in women falls in love once more. When his pattern reaches murderous levels, he escapes into another life. However, when he once again repeats the same mistake, he finds he might be the target of another person’s obsession this time around.
Victoria Pedretti freshened up this dark romantic thriller, as her character has opened up several fan theories that might come to fruition later. You is an unsettling but efficiently made series that brings in grand twists late in its seasons to keep viewers guessing.
T'Nia Miller: Witless (2016-2018)
A pair of young women happen to witness a homicide, leading them to witness protection. However, their problems have only just begun as the fallout from the event hits them in their new lives. It’s up to the girls to ensure they walk away alive.
It’s not every day you see a series that is both a comedy and a thriller. Witless can boast to be such a series, what with intense confrontations being mixed with hilarious situations. T’Nia Miller plays DC Wilton, a detective who senses there’s more to the girls’ situation than they’re letting on.
Rahul Kohli: iZombie (2015-2019)
Liv Moore is turned into a zombie under mysterious circumstances. Soon, she learns she can see the memories of the deceased she consumes, leading her to get a job at a morgue to solve the people’s deaths. Meanwhile, her boss tries to find a cure for her condition, which doesn’t go as planned.
As weird as the premise might sound, iZombie actually has a lot of good episodes you can get into. The series is a mixture of comedy, drama, and horror. Rahul Kohli appears as the main character’s boss who himself becomes entangled in zombie business while looking for a way around it.
Tahirah Sharif: A Christmas Prince Series (2017-2019)
An American journalist hopes to catch exclusive news about the Prince of Aldovia, only to fall for him once she realizes what a genuinely good person he is. After overcoming obstacles to the throne, the pair marry and have a child, although problems frequently continue to arise.
Despite being the usual family comedy, A Christmas Prince series is surprisingly addictive, with fans even looking for behind the scenes facts to keep themselves busy. Tahirah Sharif appears as Melissa, the friend of the main character who eventually has her own love story by reforming the one-time villain. It’s worth checking her out in this happier setting, where the actress is still in fine form.
Henry Thomas: E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
A boy comes across a strange creature who turns out to be an alien stranded on Earth. While attempting to return him back to his planet, the two become the best of friends. However, outside forces threaten to shatter this newfound friendship.
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial usually ranks right at the top of Steven Spielberg’s best works. For good reason too, as this is one heartwarming and emotional affair to remember. It’s also incredible that Henry Thomas plays the main human lead, which will no doubt intrigue Bly Manor fans as the actor is seen in such an innocent light as a child actor.
Kate Siegel: Hush (2016)
A masked killer finishes up with his latest victim, only to find himself at the house of a woman who can’t hear or speak. Tempted, he decides to make her his next target. What he doesn’t realize is that this woman is a survivor he has no way to be prepared for.
There’s no doubt that Hush qualifies as a severely underrated movie released in recent times. The story is an original take on the horror genre, with Kate Siegel doing a marvelous job in making the viewer root for her survival and keeping one hooked right till the end.
Carla Cugino: Gerald's Game (2017)
A married couple tries to salvage their relationship by becoming daring in their intimate activities. In an isolated house, the husband dies of a heart attack with the wife tied to the bed. Desperate for survival, the woman needs to battle her inner demons and find a way to free herself before it’s too late.
The fact that this story is one written by Stephen King should bring instant interest to any fan. On its own too, Carla Cugino delivers a career-defining performance as Gerald’s Game entirely hinges on her character. It’s kept smaller in scale, but the thrills remain as intense as ever.
Greg Sestero: The Room (2003)
Johnny is a successful banker who seems to have the best life with his friends and future wife, Lisa. However, it turns out Lisa is having an affair with Johnny’s friend Mark, culminating in an all-out drama that ultimately sees everyone getting involved.
Anybody who watches The Room will have time to spare at least some time for humor, as the intended drama turns into a comedic movie instead. Still, the film has aged remarkably well in many ways, so one can have a barrel of laughs and appreciate bad acting. To his credit, Greg Sestero is actually pretty good, given the material he had to work with.
Alex Essoe: Midnighters (2018)
A married couple already has enough issues with their relationship, yet end up with their biggest problem when they hit a man with their car. After covering up their crime, they slowly realize the past is about to catch up with them no matter what they try.
It’s a shame The Haunting of Bly Manor had the actress in a recurring role, as Alex Essoe has the chops to be a full-fledged lead. She pulls the weight in Midnighters, where the thrills come from the uncertainty of the premise, and even manages to bring some originality to the horror genre.
Oliver Jackson-Cohen: The Invisible Man (2020)
A victim of abuse feels she’s finally free when her ex-boyfriend seems to have died. Soon, she realizes he’s still around even if she can’t see him. As she uncovers, the man has actually learned how to become invisible and fully intends to let the torment continue.
The actor has displayed a remarkable range in the horror genre, being a good and bad guy in Hill House and Bly Manor, respectively. He’s the baddie in The Invisible Man as well, although his performance here is even more impressive as a crazy abusive with powers of invisibility. The movie uses its subtle pace to take its time in delivering its scares.