What If…? Episode 7 Cast Guide: Every New & Returning MCU Character

Warning: This article contains spoilers for What If...? episode 7.

Marvel's What If...? episode 7 boasts arguably its most impressive ensemble cast to date. Featuring a raft of returning characters, the show includes some of the biggest stars to ever feature in the MCU, as well as some notable absentees. However, in a series distinguished by its often stellar cast-lists, episode 7 really stands out.

The latest episode featured an alternate reality in which Loki, the Asgardian God of Mischief, was not adopted by Odin as he was in the original MCU timeline. This left Thor as Odin's only son, leading him to become a spoiled party animal with no sense of responsibility. As the Allfather falls into a restorative once in a millennia restorative sleep, Thor decides to throw an epic, frat-style party on earth, inviting a whole host of familiar faces along for the ride. This reunites Thor with Natalie Portman's Jane Foster, before bringing him into conflict with Captain Marvel.

The party theme of the episode provides the perfect opportunity to reintroduce several popular characters from across the MCU. Although, like every other episode of the show so far, not all original actors return to play their parts, episode 7 arguably has a higher ratio of familiar voices than most. Here are all the new and returning MCU characters from What If...? episode 7.

The Watcher – Jeffrey Wright

As the only constant through What If...? to date, Jeffrey Wright's The Watcher serves as the series' omniscient narrator. Although this is his first role within the MCU, Wright himself is no stranger to comic book action. Next year, for instance, he will appear opposite Robert Pattinson in The Batman.

Thor – Chris Hemsworth

Ahead of his return to the live-action MCU in upcoming actioner Thor: Love and Thunder, Chris Hemsworth is reprising arguably his most iconic role to date throughout the current Marvel spin-off series. As Thor, Hemsworth has cemented his status as an MCU icon, playing a pivotal role in many of the major events up until Avengers: Endgame. Away from Marvel, Hemsworth is also emerging as a talented action star – recently appearing in the acclaimed Russo brothers thriller Extraction. He is also slated to appear in a new Hulk Hogan biopic.

Jane Foster – Natalie Portman

Despite being notably absent from the MCU throughout the climax of Phase 3, aside from a brief cameo using recycled footage in Endgame, Natalie Portman returns to play Jane Foster in What If...? This is extremely significant, especially considering the character's supposedly prominent part in the upcoming sequel Love and Thunder. Beyond the MCU, Portman is probably best-know for her role as Padmé Amidala in Star Wars, as well as her Oscar-winning turn in Darren Aronofsky's horror hit Black Swan.

Loki – Tom Hiddleston

After previously appearing in episode 3, Tom Hiddleston returns as a reimagined Loki in the latest What If...? episode. In the alternate reality explored during episode 7, Loki fully embraces his true frost giant form, although he remains friendly with Chris Hemsworth's Thor. In the live-action, Hiddleston will reprise his role in the recently commissioned second season of Loki, and is also set to appear in an adaptation of The Essex Serpent.

Darcy – Kat Dennings

Unlike her fellow Thor star Portman, Kat Dennings has recently played a prominent role in the MCU. Throughout the recently released series of WandaVision, Dennings features as the astrophysicist Darcy Lewis. Interestingly, although she is not slated for an appearance in Thor: Love and Thunder, Dennings has confirmed that she has other Marvel projects – although she has remained tantalizingly coy on the subject.

Nick Fury – Samuel L. Jackson

Much like Hiddleston, Samuel L. Jackson played a prominent role in the events of What If...? episode 3. However, unlike Loki, Nick Fury's role here is reduced to a cameo, as he is accidentally knocked unconscious by a rampaging Korg. Jackson has played the part of S.H.I.E.L.D's director since Nick Fury appeared in the original Iron Man back in 2008, although it's unclear how significant his MCU role will be in the future.

Grandmaster – Jeff Goldblum

After stealing the show in Taika Waititi's wildly popular sequel Thor: Ragnarok, Jeff Goldblum returns as Grandmaster in the latest episode of What If...? Although the character is undeniably villainous in the live-action, here Grandmaster appears as a fun-loving party animal. Considering the character's fate at the end of Ragnarok, this may mark Goldblum's last appearance in the MCU – however, it's testament to his performance that he made such a significant impact in a relatively short period of time.

Maria Hill – Cobie Smulders

After featuring alongside Nick Fury throughout much of the MCU to date, Cobie Smulders' Maria Hill takes center stage in What If...? The S.H.I.E.L.D agent takes over director duties after Fury becomes incapacitated and takes the radical step of summoning Captain Marvel to fight Thor. However, while Smulders is prominent in What If...?, it's unclear whether the How I Met Your Mother actress will appear in other MCU projects.

Agent Coulson – Clarke Gregg

Despite his untimely and hugely significant death during the first Avengers film, Gregg continues to play a significant role in the MCU. His Agent Coulson character has been a conspicuous presence throughout much of What If...? so far, highlighting the impact that he had on the MCU as a whole. For instance, in addition to the spin-off series, Gregg has appeared as Coulson in Captain Marvel, as well as the popular show Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Brock Rumlow – Frank Grillo

Frank Grillo Crossbones Brock Rumlow What if

Although Frank Grillo's Rumlow is outed as a Hydra traitor during Captain America: The Winter Soldier, in episode 7 of What If...? the character still seems loyal to S.H.I.E.L.D. This makes sense, considering the character's unexpected betrayal in the live-action MCU. As for Grillo himself, he is set to start in the upcoming Bruce Willis thriller A Day To Die.

Korg – Taika Waititi

In addition to directing Thor: Ragnarok, Taika Waititi also appeared as the Kronan warrior Korg – an anthropomorphic rock-like creature encountered by Hemsworth's Thor on Sakaar. Waititi returns to the role in What If...?, albeit in an extremely minor cameo. However, given the director's involvement in Love and Thunder, it seems unlikely that this is the last audiences will see of Korg in the wider MCU.

Nebula – Karen Gillan

Like many of her cast-mates, Karen Gillan features several times during the first season of What If...? The Jumaji star also reprises her Marvel role in episode 2, alongside Josh Brolin as Thanos. In episode 7, however, Nebula is seen reveling alongside the rest of earth in Las Vegas, gambling at a table. The character will also return in several upcoming MCU projects, including Thor: Love and Thunder and Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 3.

Lady Sif – Jaimie Alexander

Although Lady Sif does not feature as prominently as many other Thor side characters, Jaimie Alexander has reprised her role as recently as this year. Alexander appeared in the spin-off series Loki as a means of punishing Hiddleston's titular lead through repetitive psychological torture. Alexander is another star who's also set to appear in Waititi's sequel Love and Thunder.

Howard The Duck – Seth Green

Despite the character's relatively minor role in the MCU to date, Seth Green has played Howard the Duck every time he has appeared to date. After a brief appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2, Green features in both What If...? episode 2 and episode 7. Given Howard the Duck's notorious cinematic reputation, it's unclear whether Green will get a chance to reprise the role in the future.

Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel – Alexandra Daniels

Alexandra Daniels Captain Marvel What If

Despite her imminent return in The Marvels, Brie Larson decided against returning to voice the character for What If...? Instead, Danvers has been portrayed by actor and producer Alexandra Daniels. After a brief appearance in episode 3, Daniels takes center stage during episode 7 after being summoned by Smulders' Maria Hill to deal with Thor. While playing a part as iconic as Captain Marvel is clearly significant, Daniels herself is probably best known for her role in the 2016 movie Mothers and Daughters.

What If...? Episode 7 Supporting Characters

Rachel House as Topaz – Although she has a minimal speaking role in What If...?, Rachel House returned to play Topaz for the show. As the Grandmaster's bodyguard, Topaz is seen escaping Earth alongside her master on a stolen mobility scooter.

Josette Eales as Frigga – Eales replaces original actor Rene Russo in the role of Frigga for What If...? episode 7. Away from the MCU, South African-born Eales is probably best-known for a variety of voice-over performances, although she also works as a live-action performer and producer.

David Chen as Hogun – Despite the character's relatively minor role, David Chen is actually the third actor to voice Vanir warrior Hogun. In the first three Thor films, the character is actually portrayed by Tadanobu Asano, while Ken Kensei features in the official game of Thor: The Dark World.

Fred Tatasciore as Volstagg and Drax the Destroyer – Somewhat controversially, Dave Bautista claims he was not asked to return as Drax, despite playing the character in several other MCU entries. Instead, voicing duties fall on Fred Tatasciore, who also plays the part during episode 2 of What If...?

Max Mittelman as Fandral – Much like Hogun, Fandral has gone through several iterations over the course of the MCU, being played by both Josh Dallas and Zachary Levi in the previous Thor movies. This latest iteration is voiced by Max Mittelman, who is best known as a voice actor from numerous anime and video game franchises.

Clancy Brown as Surtur – Seen flirting with the Statue of Liberty during episode 7, star Clancy Brown returns to reprise the role of Surtur for What If...? Although he does feature in the MCU, Brown is probably best known for his dramatic performances in movies such as The Shawshank Redemption and Starship Troopers.

More: Why Marvel's What If...? Has So Many Major Character Deaths

Marvel's What If...? releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+