The Hulu series Under the Banner of Heaven is a haunting and powerful series that skillfully weaves together its procedural storyline with its interrogation of the power of faith. As with so many other series of this type, a significant part of its appeal stems from the rich and textured performances of its leading cast. Of course, it’s no surprise that they would be so outstanding, given that they all have appeared in a number of high-profile movies and TV series, honing their talents and demonstrating their extraordinary skills, all of which they continue to exhibit.
Andrew Garfield - Tick, Tick… Boom! (2021)
Andrew Garfield has established quite a reputation in Hollywood as a charming leading man, appearing in both blockbusters and dramas. With the musical Tick, Tick…Boom! he also demonstrated that he had what it took to appear in a heartbreaking (yet uplifting) biopic about the playwright Jonathan Larson.
Garfield allows viewers to see the deeply flawed humanity of this character, someone who is unquestionably brilliant yet has a number of flaws that allow him to be fully human rather than perfect. In Under the Banner of Heaven, he portrays the character of Detective Jed Pyre.
Sam Worthington - Avatar (2009)
Avatar is without question one of the most successful movies in the history of Hollywood. With its familiar story, its dazzling visual effects, and its timely message, it managed to remind people of why the movies remain a source of enchantment and magic.
Sam Worthington is, of course, well-known for his portrayal of the character Jake Sully, the human who inhabits the body of the avatar of the title. He brings his considerable acting skills to bear as the character of Ron Lafferty.
Daisy Edgar-Jones - Normal People (2020)
Though still relatively young, Daisy Edgar-Jones has already shown she has quite a lot of talent. In the series Normal People, for example, she portrays the character of Marianne Sheridan, a young woman who struggles with accepting herself, particularly once she gets into a relationship with Connel.
Edgar-Jones’ brilliance lies in the way she is able to bring out both the strength and the incredible vulnerability of this character. In Under the Banner of Heaven she portrays the character Brenda Lafferty.
Wyatt Russell - The Falcon And The Winter Soldier (2021)
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is one of the best TV series to have emerged from Marvel, exploring as it does various weighty issues, including racism in America, the lingering effects of trauma, and the global upheaval caused by Thanos. In the series, Wyatt Russell portrays the new Captain America, John Walker.
Though initially seen as an enemy (by both viewers and fans), Russell still managed to convey the character’s complexity and inner humanity. He brings out this considerable complexity in his characterization of Dan Lafferty in the new Hulu series.
Billy Howle - The Outlaw King (2018)
Chris Pine has been in many extraordinary roles, and he has solidified his as one of Hollywood’s most charismatic leading men. In the movie The Outlaw King, for example, he portrays the famous Robert the Bruce, who led the fight against the invading English.
In that movie, he is joined by Billy Howle, who portrays the character of Edward, Prince of Wales, a man struggling under the burden of being his formidable father’s heir. He portrays the character of Allen Lafferty in Under the Banner of Heaven.
Chloe Pirrie - The Game (2015)
Born in Scotland, Chloe Pirrie has appeared in a number of movies and television series, ranging from Black Mirror to War & Peace. However, she is arguably best known for her appearance in the Cold War spy thriller The Game, which focuses on the efforts of a group of spies to get to the bottom of a Soviet operation.
The series immerses the viewer in this sinister yet thrilling world of spies and espionage, and Pirrie is especially notable for portraying the character of Wendy, a secretary for MI5. In Under the Banner of Heaven, she portrays the character of Matilda Lafferty.
Seth Numrich - Turn: Washington’s Spies (2014-2017)
There have been a number of excellent period dramas in recent years, of which Turn: Washington’s Spies is an exceptional example. As the title suggests, it focuses on a group of spies during the Revolutionary War.
The series featured a number of excellent performances, with Sath Numrich – who portrays Robin Lafferty in Under the Banner of Heaven – playing the character of Benjamin Tallmadge, one of the main leaders of the spies. Numrich brings out the rich complexity of this fascinating historical figure.
Adelaide Clemens - Rectify (2013-2016)
Like the other members of the cast in Under the Banner of Heaven, Adelaide Clemens has had a varied career in both movies and television. Though she has been in a number of supporting roles, one of her most notable appearances has been in the TV series Rectify, which focuses on a man’s attempt to get his life back together after being wrongfully imprisoned.
In that series, she played the character of Tawney Talbot, who possesses deep religious faith. She brings her considerable skills to bear as Rebecca Pyre, Jeb’s wife.
Gil Birmingham - Yellowstone (2018-present)
Yellowstone has quickly become one of the most successful series for Paramount. It’s easy to see why, since it draws so heavily on the traditions of the western (one of the most popular genres in American entertainment).
However, it also features a number of powerful performances, including from Gil Birmingham, who plays the important character of Chief Thomas Rainwater, who is committed to regaining the land that is the center of the story. He plays Detective Bill Taba in Under the Banner of Heaven.
Rory Culkin - Signs (2002)
Though he might not have achieved quite the level of fame of his two brothers, Rory Culkin has nevertheless established his own level of success in the industry. In addition to appearing in several movies and TV series, he is particularly well-known for his appearance in M. Night Shyamalan’s Signs.
Signs is arguably one of the director’s best movies, and there, he plays the character of Morgan Hess. He portrays the character of Samuel Lafferty in Under the Banner of Heaven.