National Geographic’s miniseries The Hot Zone: Anthrax is a thrilling drama from its real life inspiration, mostly due to its high-quality cast and characters. This second installment in The Hot Zone anthology series addresses the 2001 anthrax attacks, a story that has fallen out of common memory. The cast of The Hot Zone: Anthrax, however, is far from forgettable.
In The Hot Zone: Anthrax, a team of FBI agents investigates a series of killings by anthrax hidden in innocuous, mailed letters. Anthrax, a dangerous bacterium, is deadly when inhaled; five people targeted by these attacks died. The anthrax scare grew national paranoia to astronomical heights, occurring right after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The mad-dash investigation had the security of the United States on the line; disconcertingly, the FBI’s results have been contested by both scientists and legal professionals.
The events that take place in The Hot Zone: Anthrax must be handled with tact and appropriate gravity. The Hot Zone’s cast succeeds in delivering such performances; each actor embodies the tension felt during the real manhunt. Here’s a guide to the cast and characters in The Hot Zone: Anthrax.
Tony Goldwyn as Bruce Edwards Ivins
Tony Goldwyn stars as Bruce Edwards Ivins in The Hot Zone: Anthrax, who is a biodefense researcher for the US Army. He is the prime suspect in the FBI’s investigation, though he deftly evades their clutches. Tony Goldwyn handles Ivins capably; Goldwyn is best known for starring in the supernatural romance film Ghost, the Divergent film series, and Disney’s animated Tarzan. Goldwyn next appears in the comedy The People We Hate at the Wedding.
Daniel Dae Kim as Matthew Ryker
The Hot Zone: Anthrax sees Daniel Dae Kim plays Matthew Ryker, the lead FBI agent on the anthrax case. Traumatized by 9/11, Ryker uses his knowledge of microbiology to hunt down the perpetrator of the new attacks. Kim also featured in the drama series Lost and police procedural Hawaii Five-O. Kim's voice also stars in Disney’s animated Raya and the Last Dragon. Kim is also set to play the Fire Lord Ozai in the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender.
The Hot Zone: Anthrax's Supporting Cast & Characters
Harry Hamlin as Tom Brokaw – Brokaw, the iconic reporter of NBC News, survives receiving one of the anthrax-laden letters. Hamlin is best known for his leading roles in 1981’s fantasy film Clash of the Titans and as Jim Cutler on Mad Men. He will star in Unsinkable, a wartime-action series.
Dylan Baker as Ed Copak – Copak proves both an ally and an obstacle as a senior FBI agent in The Hot Zone: Anthrax. Baker had major roles in the comedy film Planes, Trains & Automobiles, crime film Road to Perdition, and Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man 2 and 3. Baker will next reprise his role of Biff Simpson in the crime drama Hunters.
Ian Coletti as Chris Moore – Moore is a new FBI agent involved in the anthrax case The Hot Zone: Anthrax is based around. Coletti was noticed for appearing in the comedy film Baby Mama. He shines in more intense series, such as Preacher and Rake.
Dawn Olivieri as Dani Toretti – Also part of The Hot Zone: Anthrax's FBI anthrax team, Toretti is the behaviorist for Ryker’s investigation. Olivieri is best known for playing Lydia in the superhero drama Heroes and Monica Talbot in the comedy series House of Lies, and appears in the neo-fantasy action movie Bright. She will next be in the historical drama series 1883.
Denyce Lawton as Sheila Willis – Willis, a pharmaceutical lobbyist, and Ryker’s girlfriend, struggles with herself in the wake of 9/11. Lawton starred in the comedy hit House of Payne as Dana Carter, and next stars in the holiday crime film Most Wanted Santa.
Morgan Kelly as Eric Sykes – Sykes, another FBI agent, doubts the legitimacy of Ryker’s investigation. Kelly featured in the fantasy film The Shape of Water. He also was in the crime drama Mindhunter.
The Hot Zone: Anthrax releases episodes on National Geographic and Hulu.