Who's in The Last Thing He Wanted, and how do you know them? Helmed by Mudbound director Dee Rees, the Netflix film is based on Joan Didion's eponymous 1996 novel. The Last Thing He Wanted, a political thriller, released on February 21, 2020.
In The Last Thing He Wanted, a female American journalist becomes suspicious after being taken off an investigative case and assigned to cover the 1984 U.S. presidential election. She travels to Central America based on intel received from her sick father, and becomes wrapped up in a government conspiracy but can't figure out why. The Last Thing He Wanted was adapted for Netflix by Rees and Marco Villalobos.
The Last Thing He Wanted stars an A-list American actress as the main character. In the primary supporting roles, two big-name male actors serve as the protagonist's closest confidantes. Here's a cast and character guide for The Last Thing He Wanted on Netflix.
Anne Hathaway As Elena McMahon
The Last Thing He Wanted stars Anne Hathaway as Elena McMahon, a reporter who investigates a secret war in Central America.
A two-time Oscar nominee, Hathaway won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance as Fantine in Les Misérables. She portrayed Selina Kyle in The Dark Knight Rises, and recently starred in a trio of 2019 feature films: Serenity, The Hustle, and Dark Waters.
Ben Affleck As Treat Morrison
In The Last Thing He Wanted, Ben Affleck co-stars as government official Treat Morrison, an ambassador at large.
To many, Affleck is best known for portraying Batman/Bruce Wayne in the DCEU. He also co-wrote and co-starred in the 1997 classic Good Will Hunting, and has since become an accomplished feature film director (Gone Baby Gone, The Town, Argo).
The Last Thing He Wanted Supporting Cast
Rosie Perez as Alma Guerrero: Elena's investigator, a reporter for the Atlantic Post. Rosie Perez portrayed Gloria Clemente in the 1992 basketball film White Men Can't Jump. She recently starred as Renee Montoya in Birds of Prey.
Willem Dafoe as Dick McMahon: Elena's father. A four-time Oscar nominee, Willem Dafoe is perhaps best known for portraying Green Goblin aka Norman Osborn in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy. In recent years, he portrayed Vulko in Aquaman and Thomas Wake in The Lighthouse.
Edi Gathegi as Jones: Elena's Sandanista contact. Edi Gathegi is known for movie performances in Twilight, Gone Baby Gone, and X-Men: First Class. He currently portrays A. D. Singe in Briarpatch.
Mel Rodriguez as Barry Sedlow: Elena's Miami contact via Dick. Mel Rodriguez recently co-starred as Ernie Gomes in On Becoming a God in Central Florida season 1. He previously portrayed Todd Rodriguez in The Last Man on Earth.
Onata Aprile as Catherine: Elena's daughter. Onata Aprile portrayed the title character in the 2012 film What Maisie Knew.
Toby Jones as Paul: A mysterious man who meets with Elena in Central America. An acclaimed English actor, Toby Jones delivered a Golden Globe-nominated performance as Alfred Hitchcock in The Girl. He also portrayed Dr. Arnim Zola in Captain America: The First Avenger and Claudius Templesmith in The Hunger Games.
Carlos Leal as Bob Weir: Dick's contact who meets with Paul. Carlos Leal starred as Jacques Noiret in The Boarding School. He's also appeared in Casino Royale and Better Caul Saul.
Julian Gamble as George Shultz: The U.S. Secretary. Julian Gamble portrayed Chairman of Joint Chiefs in House of Cards.
Ben Chase as Mark Berquist: Schultz' chief foreign aid officer. Ben Chase appeared in Transparent.
Laura Niemi as Female Reporter #2: Laura Niemi portrayed Marilyn Pearson in This Is Us.
Bill Kelly as Gus Sharp: A U.S. general who looks at Elena's photos. Bill Kelly portrayed Clay Grunwald in Bloodline.
Rob Sedgwick as Stewart James: Elena's editor. Rob Sedgwick portrayed Rolf in Die Hard with a Vengeance and Hightower in Banshee season 4.