Ariana DeBose joins the cast of Westworld season 4. The 31-year-old star recently secured her first Academy Award for her performance as Anita in Steven Spielberg’s musical, West Side Story. Making her television debut in 2009’s So You Think You Can Dance, DeBose has since featured in the Apple TV comedy Schmigadoon! and the Broadway cast of Hamilton, as well as providing the voice of Danielle in Netflix’s Big Mouth spinoff, Human Resources. DeBose's star is only rising, as she was also cast in Sony's Marvel movie Kraven the Hunter.
Created by Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, Westworld made its debut on HBO in 2016 to widespread praise. Based on Michael Crichton’s 1973 original film, the award-winning series centres on the development of sentient androids which are kept in a number of so-called theme parks for the entertainment of humans and deprived of free will. After an almost two-year break, HBO recently released the first trailer for Westworld season 4, teasing the unexpected return of Evan Rachel Wood after the apparent death of her original character, Dolores, in season 3.
Now, Variety confirms that DeBose is the latest addition to the cast of Westworld season 4. Similar to Wood’s character, details surrounding DeBose’s new role remain a mystery. Despite this, it is understood she will be a recurring guest in the upcoming eight-episode season. She was glimpsed in the season 4 trailer standing behind Wood, which was the first indication that the Oscar-winner had boarded the series.
The Hamilton actress joins the likes of other returning stars, including Thandiwe Newton, Aaron Paul, Luke Hemsworth, Ed Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Tessa Thompson, and Angela Sarafyan. Described simply as a “dark odyssey,” story details for Westworld season 4 have been kept mostly under wraps. The newly released trailer did little to preview what's ahead, and DeBose's casting announcement similarly provided few clues about Westworld's newest episodes. However, it is clear that characters like the Man in Black (Harris) are back on the warpath, and Joy previously hinted Westworld season 4 might venture into some of the other parks.
After a two year wait since the release of season 3, Westworld fans are understandably eager to see what season 4 has in store. With much of the story kept as an impressively well-guarded secret (despite some minor set photos suggesting the return of Wood), the revelation of DeBose’s involvement is certainly a welcome surprise. Boasting an A-list ensemble since season 1, which featured Anthony Hopkins, the show is perhaps hoping to bolster its star power with the addition of the newly crowned Oscar winner in a mysterious new role. Whether human or Host, fans don’t have long to wait for DeBose’s Westworld debut.
Westworld season 4 premieres Sunday, June 26 on HBO.
Source: Variety