The Emancipation cast features Will Smith, Ben Foster and Charmaine Bingwa. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Antoine Fuqua’s 2022 Apple TV+ movie. Check out more streaming guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast section.

Emancipation chronicles the real-life experiences of a Black slave during the American Civil War. As Peter gets taken away from a Louisiana plantation, he plots his escape while observing Confederate soldiers. The narrative follows the central character as he fights to survive while searching for a Union camp. Here’s every main actor and character in Emancipation.

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Echo 3’

Emancipation Cast: Will Smith as Peter

Character Profile: A Black father and husband. He plans a five-day trip to Baton Rouge upon learning that slaves have been freed. Peter gets taken away by Confederate soldiers and then tries to escape.

Smith’s Resume: A Founding Member of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince — Also, Will Smith in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-96), Steven Hiller in Independence Day (1996), Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali in Ali (2001), Richard Williams in King Richard (2021)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Bad Sisters’

Emancipation Cast: Ben Foster as Jim Fassel

Character Profile: A Confederate soldier. He is the son of a cornhusker and was raised by a Black woman. Jim tracks down Peter in the woods.

Foster’s Resume: Charlie Prince in 3:10 to Yuma (2007), Staff Sergeant Will Montgomery in The Messenger (2009), Tanner Howard in Hell or High Water (2016), Will in Leave No Trace (2018), Harry Haft in The Survivor (2021)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Spirited’

Emancipation Cast: Charmaine Bingwa as Dodienne

Character Profile: Peter’s wife. She gets left at a plantation with her children. Dodienne blatantly injures herself while operating a cotton gin.

Bingwa’s Resume: Miranda in Black Box (2020), Carmen Moyo in The Good Fight (2021-), Summer Akers in The Pitch (2021), Jeanette in Trees of Peace (2021), Yahdella in KAPO (2022)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Five Days at Memorial’

Emancipation Cast: Gilbert Owuor as Gordon

Character Profile: Peter’s friend. He survives a slave camp but gets injured. Gordon reunites with Peter while fighting for the Union.

Owuor’s Resume: Minus in True Blood (2014), Father Anan in Goliath (2016), Maksim in Mute (2018), Bash Brannigan in Reprisal (2019), Ace in Montana Story (2021)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Causeway’

Emancipation Cast: Ronnie Gene Blevins as Harrington

Character Profile: Jim’s partner. He looks for alligators and fights Peter. Harrington is the nastiest member of his group.

Blevins’ Resume: Cement Truck Driver in The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Willie-Russell in Joe (2013), Bruno in The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It (2021), Ben Hutchins in Tulsa King (2022), Joe in Father Stu (2022)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Surface’

Emancipation Cast: Aaron Moten as Knowls

Character Profile: Jim’s Black partner. He helps track down slaves. Knowls has a fateful encounter with Peter.

Moten’s Resume: Erik Winkelstrauss in Mozart in the Jungle (2015-16), Petey in The Night Of (2016), Travis in Disjointed (2017-18), Ben in Next (2020), Ham in Father Stu (2022)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘Shantaram’

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The Emancipation cast also includes:

• Jabbar Lewis as Tomas
• Michael Luwoye as John
• Steven Ogg as Howard
• Grant Harvey as Leeds
• Mustafa Shakir as Lt. Andrew Cailloux

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visages’ founding editor.