Marlowe has a packed and star-studded cast. Directed by Neil Jordan from a screenplay by William Monahan, famous for penning the acclaimed script for The Departed, Marlowe is based on the 2014 novel, The Black-Eyed Blonde, by John Banville, who wrote the book under the pen name, Benjamin Black. The film adaptation’s story is a continuation of the established titular character, who was created by author Raymond Chandler, while giving the private detective some modern sensibilities.
The neo-noir follows Philip Marlowe as he investigates the disappearance (and presumed death) of Nico Peterson after being tipped off about it by an heiress. Jordan has assembled a fantastic, talented, and well-known cast to portray the myriad of characters in Marlowe, most of whom have some kind of ulterior motive that Marlowe tries to figure out, all while finding himself knee-deep in illicit affairs the more he unearths their secrets. Led by Liam Neeson — who has become a staple of the action genre — as the eponymous character, Marlowe boasts an ensemble cast decked out in period clothes and sporting fabulous hairdos.
Liam Neeson as Philip Marlowe
Philip Marlowe is a private investigator tasked with finding a film studio’s props master after he goes missing. Marlowe is weary and tired, a loner who distances himself from others, and especially his clients. Marlowe is portrayed by Liam Neeson, who is best known for the action franchise that started with Taken, The Grey, Schindler’s List, Widows, Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, Gangs of New York, and 1998’s Les Misérables. Neeson is also famous for playing Qui-Gon Jinn in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace.
Diane Kruger as Clare Cavendish
Clare Cavendish is a wealthy heiress and the daughter of Hollywood actress Dorothy Quincannon. She hires Marlowe to find her missing lover. Clare Cavendish is portrayed by Diane Kruger, who is best known for her roles in National Treasure and its sequel National Treasure: Book of Secrets opposite Nicolas Cage, the Quentin Tarantino film Inglourious Basterds, Troy, and Fathers & Daughters.
Jessica Lange as Dorothy Quincannon
Dorothy Quincannon is a former actress and the mother of Clare, who is resentful of her daughter’s use of her money. Dorothy is portrayed by Jessica Lange, who is best known for her roles in Tootsie, 1976’s King Kong, the Ryan Murphy TV series American Horror Story, The Vow, Blue Sky, and Big Fish.
Alan Cumming as Lou Hendricks
Lou Hendricks is a nightclub owner who has his fair share of secrets. Lou is portrayed by Alan Cumming, who is best known for portraying Nightcrawler in X2: X-Men United and as Eli Gold in The Good Wife. Cumming has also appeared in the James Bond movie, GoldenEye, the Apple TV+ series Schmigadoon, and Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion.
Danny Huston as Floyd Hanson
Floyd Hanson is a private country club owner who is a suspect for Nico Peterson’s disappearance. Floyd is portrayed by Danny Huston, who is best known for his roles in The Constant Gardener, The Aviator starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the TV series Yellowstone and HBO’s Succession, the DC superhero movie Wonder Woman, American Horror Story, Robin Hood, Clash of the Titans, Children of Men, Marie Antoinette starring Kirsten Dunst, and X-Men Origins: Wolverine.
Marlowe Supporting Cast & Character Guide
François Arnaud as Nico Peterson - Nico Peterson is a props master at the fictional Pacific Film Studios, and the former lover of Clare Cavendish who goes missing. François Arnaud is best known for his roles in the TV series Blindspot and The Borgias. Arnaud will next appear in an episode of Showtime’s Yellowjackets season 2.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Cedric - Cedric is a chauffeur for Lou Hendricks, and is someone who knows more than meets the eye. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje is best known for playing Mr. Eko on the TV series Lost. The actor has also been in David Ayer’s Suicide Squad, in which he played Killer Croc, the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Thor: The Dark World, 2014’s musical Annie, and the HBO series His Dark Materials.
Colm Meaney as Bernie Ohls - Bernie Ohls is one of Philip Marlowe’s police friends, whom he goes to for information. Colm Meaney is best known for his roles in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Star Trek: The Next Generation, in which he portrayed Chief Miles O’Brien, Con Air, Under Siege, and the TV series The Gangs of London.
Daniela Melchior as Lynn Peterson - Lynn Peterson is Nico’s half-sister. Daniela Melchior is best known for her role in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, in which she played Ratcatcher 2.
Mitchell Mullen as Ambassador - The Ambassador is a studio executive in Marlowe who has a lot of power and connections to Clare, her mother, and others. Mitchell Mullen is best known for his role in No One Gets Out Alive.