The Prom cast features a fabulous group of high-profile performers led by acclaimed actress Meryl Streep, but she's far from the only recognizable star in Neflix's new musical. Ryan Murphy's latest lavish production takes places in the theatre world, as a group of egocentric Broadway performers travel to the American Midwest to overtly promote themselves as relevant and socially-conscious public figures.
In The Prom, New York City stage performers Dee Dee Allen and Barry Glickman panic after their latest show, "Eleanor," gets annihilated by critics. The duo then learns about an Indiana teenager named Emma Nolan who is unable to attend her school prom for being gay. In response, Dee Dee and Barry organize a bus trip to James Madison High School and let everyone know that the "New York liberals" have arrived to save the day. During the journey, the big city folk reflect about the past and subsequently experience life-changing epiphanies.
The Prom cast is packed with notable actors and actresses from both film and television, which makes the new Netflix movie somewhat unique, as many of these people aren't frequent stars in the streaming world.
Meryl Streep As Dee Dee Allen
Meryl Streep stars as Dee Dee Allen, a famous Broadway actress who hopes to revive her career by supporting a teenage lesbian in Indiana. Dee Dee references her humble origins but always embraces her fame and accomplishments when given the opportunity. She forms a unique bond with a high school principal, a long-time fan.
Streep is best known for her Oscar-winning performances in the '80s films Kramer vs. Kramer and Sophie's Choice, along with her 2012 win for The Iron Lady. During the 2000s, she starred in Adaptation, Doubt, and The Devil Wears Prada. In recent years, Streep portrayed Kay Graham in The Post, Mary Louise Wright in Big Little Lies, and Aunt March in Little Women.
James Corden As Barry Glickman
James Corden co-stars as Barry Glickman, a Broadway actor who schemes with Dee Dee to revive their careers. In Indiana, Barry is reminded of his Ohio roots and recalls painful memories about coming out and being abandoned by his parents.
Corden has hosted The Late Late Show with James Corden since 2015. He portrayed John Frazier in Ocean's Eight and voiced Biggie in Trolls World Tour. Corden recently portrayed the Voice of Superintelligence in the HBO Max comedy Superintelligence.
Nicole Kidman As Angie Dickinson
Nicole Kidman portrays Angie Dickinson, an out-of-work actress who urges Emma to find her light as a performer. A four-time Academy Award nominee, Kidman won a Best Actress Oscar for her performance as Virginia Woolf in The Hours. During the '90s, she headlined Batman Forever and Eyes Wide Shut, and then later starred in 2000s films such as Dogville and Cold Mountain. Kidman recently portrayed Celeste Wright in Big Little Lies, Gretchen Carlson in Bombshell, and Grace Fraser in The Undoing.
Kerry Washington As Mrs. Greene
Kerry Washington co-stars as Mrs. Greene, the head of the Parent Teacher Association at James Madison High School in Indiana. She prevents same-sex couples from attending the prom and initially doesn't accept that her daughter, Alyssa, has a strong romantic connection with Emma.
In pop culture, Washington is best known for starring as the Washington D.C. fixer Olivia Pope in Scandal. She also portrayed Broomhilda von Shaft in Django Unchained and Anita Hill in Confirmation. Washington recently appeared as Mia Warren in Little Fires Everywhere.
Keegan-Michael Key As Tom Hawkins
Keegan-Michael Key portrays Tom Hawkins, a principal at James Madison High School. He's a passionate theatre enthusiast who bonds with Dee Dee and looks beyond her egocentric personality.
Key co-starred with Jordan Peele in the Comedy Central series Key and Peele. In 2019, he voiced Ducky in Toy Story 4, Kamari in The Lion King, and the Ritual Master in The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. Key also portrayed Jerry in Dolemite Is My Name and Gustafson in Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.
Andrew Rannells As Trent Oliver
Andrew Rannells co-stars as Trent Oliver, an actor who likes to remind colleagues that he was trained at The Juilliard School. His communication skills are applauded at James Madison High School, as he's able to connect with students with conservative views about sexuality.
Rannells rose to fame as Elijah Krantz in Girls, and then portrayed Darren in the 2018 film A Simple Favor. He voices Matthew MacDell in Big Mouth and recently appeared as Larry in The Boys in the Band.
Ariana DeBose As Alyssa Greene
Ariana DeBose portrays Alyssa Greene, the daughter of a PTA leader who believes that same-sex couples should be banned from the James Madison High School prom. Alyssa is Emma's girlfriend but worries about expressing her true feelings in public. In 2009, Ariana DeBose competed in So You Think You Can Dance and later appeared in the ensemble cast for Hamilton.
Jo Ellen Pellman As Emma Nolan
Jo Ellen Pellman rounds out the main cast as Emma Nolan, an Indiana teenager who is banned from the James Madison High School prom because of her sexuality. She receives public support from New York stage performers and befriends them despite their questionable intentions. Pellman portrayed Bree in The Deuce season 3 and had a small role in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel season 3. The Prom marks her movie debut.
The Prom Supporting Cast
Kevin Chamberlin as Sheldon Saperstein: A theatre owner who worries about sales because of the poor "Eleanor" reviews. He later travels to Indiana with the group of actors. Kevin Chamberlin portrayed Charles Weiss in Die Hard with a Vengeance and Frank the Bouncer in Road to Perdition. He also appeared as Bertram Winkle in Jessie and Frank in Grace and Frankie.
Mary Kay Place as Grandma Bea: Emma's grandmother who took care of her granddaughter after she was disowned by her mother upon coming out. Mary Kay Place portrayed Meg in The Big Chill, Floris in Being John Malkovich, and Mrs. Gilcrest in Girl, Interrupted. She recently appeared as Aunt Oopie in Shameless.
Logan Riley as Kaylee: Emma's former friend who abandoned her after learning about her sexuality. Logan Riley has appeared in Modern Family and The Affair. She also portrayed Sienna in Fuller House.
Nico Greetham as Nick Boomer: A morally righteous James Madison student who asks Kaylee to prom. Nico Greetham starred as Calvin Maxwell/Yellow Ninja Steel Ranger in Power Rangers Ninja Steel. He also portrayed Daniel in Into the Dark season 2 and Young Goon in Birds of Prey.
Nathaniel J. Potvin as Kevin: Nick's friend who asks Shelby to prom. Nathaniel J. Potvin portrayed Ryan Walker in Mech-X4, Wallace Marks in Five Points, and Trevor Gonzalez in American Vandal. He currently appears as Ryan in Alexa & Katie.
Sofia Deler as Shelby: A Shelby High student who distances herself from Emma but doesn't take a morally righteous stance like her friends.. The Prom marks the movie debut for Sofia Deler.
Tracey Ullman as Vera: Barry's mother from Ohio who apologizes for not being more supportive and accepting when he came out in high school. During the late '80s, Tracey Ullman starred in The Tracey Ullman Show on Fox. She portrayed Jack's Mother in Into the Woods and also voiced Grecklin in Onward. Ullman recently appeared as Betty Friedan in Mrs. America.
Frank DiLella as Himself: A reporter who interviews Dee Dee at the "Eleanor" premiere. Frank DiLella hosts the Spectrum News NY1 theatre show On Stage.