2020s

Know the Cast: ‘Rustin’

Rustin Cast - Every Actor and Character in the 2023 Netflix Movie

The Rustin cast features Colman Domingo, Aml Ameen and Glynn Turman. This info article contains minor spoilers and cast/character summaries for George C. Wolfe’s 2023 Netflix movie. Check out more streaming guides in Vague Visagesโ€™ Know the Cast category, and then browse complete soundtrack song listings in the Soundtracks of Cinema section.

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Rustinย takes place in 1963. As Bayard Rustin organizes a peaceful civil rights protest, he faces scrutiny about his sexuality. The narrative follows the main protagonist as he rallies people together for the 1963 March on Washington. Hereโ€™s every actor and character in Rustin.

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: โ€˜The Killerโ€™

Rustin Cast: Colman Domingo as Bayard Rustin

Rustin Cast on Netflix - Colman Domingo as Bayard Rustin

Character Profile: A civil rights activist. He values passive resistance and organizational details. Bayard works as the Deputy Director of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.

Domingo’s Resume: Private Harold Green in Lincoln (2012), Ralph Abernathy in Selma (2014),ย Victor Strand in Fear the Walking Dead (2015-), X in Zola (2020),ย William Burke in Candyman (2021)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: โ€˜Nyadโ€™

Rustin Cast: Aml Ameen as Martin Luther King Jr.

Rustin Cast on Netflix - Aml Ameen as Martin Luther King Jr.

Character Profile: A civil rights activist. He defends Black people while dealing with malicious rumors. Martin stands up for Bayard on national television.

Ameen’s Resume: Trife in Kidulthood (2006),ย Alby in The Maze Runner (2014),ย D in Yardie (2018), Simon in I May Destroy You (2020), Junior Massey in The Porterย (2022)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: โ€˜Best. Christmas. Ever!โ€™

Rustin Cast: Glynn Turman as A. Philip Randolph

Rustin Cast on Netflix - Glynn Turman as A. Philip Randolph

Character Profile: A civil rights activist. He is a union organizer. A. Philip leads the March on Washington.

Turman’s Resume: Clarence V. Royce in The Wire (2004-08),ย Dr. Frank Hopper in Sahara (2005),ย Dr. Woodward in Super 8 (2011), Toledo in Ma Raineyโ€™s Black Bottom (2020), Charles Mitch in Black Cake (2023-)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: โ€˜All the Light We Cannot Seeโ€™

Rustin Cast: Chris Rock as Roy Wilkins

Rustin Cast on Netflix - Chris Rock as Roy Wilkins

Character Profile: The NAACP executive secretary. He values strategic moves while fighting for civil rights. Roy initially clashes with Bayard but ultimately lends his support.

Rock’s Resume: A Famous Stand-Up Comedian โ€” Also, Saturday Night Liveย Cast Member (1990-93), Pookie in New Jack City (1991), Loy Cannon in Fargo (2020), Detective Ezekiel Banks in Spiral (2021)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: โ€˜Wingwomenโ€™

Rustin Cast: Gus Halper as Tom

Rustin Cast on Netflix - Gus Halper as Tom

Character Profile: Bayard’s boyfriend. He is Brooklyn-raised man who graduated from Howard University. Tom worries about Bayard’s wandering eye.

Halper’s Resume: Mikey Scaramucci in Happy! (2017-18),ย Bone in Cold Pursuit (2019), Joseph in Dickinson (2019),ย Will in Fear the Walking Dead (2021),ย Teddy Silas in Law & Order: Organized Crime (2022-)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: โ€˜Sister Deathโ€™

Rustin Cast: Johnny Ramey as Elias Taylor

Rustin Cast on Netflix - Johnny Ramey as Elias Taylor

Character Profile: A civil rights activist and minister. He coordinates the NAACP’s national and regional branches. Elias is a closeted gay man whoย develops a romantic relationship with Bayard.

Ramey’s Resume: Sylvester in Poz Roz (2019),ย Brad Hunt in A Baby at any Cost (2022), Alex Hanson in Calling for Love (2020), MB in Into the Dark (2021),ย Derrick in Act Your Age (2023)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: โ€˜Pain Hustlersโ€™

The Rustin castย also includes:

  • CCH Pounder as Dr. Anna Hedgeman
  • Michael Potts as Cleve Robinson
  • Audra McDonald as Ella Baker
  • Jeffrey Wright as Adam Clayton Powell Jr.
  • Lilli Kay as Rachelle
  • Jordan-Amanda Hall as Charlene
  • Jakeem Powell as Norm
  • Ayana Workman as Eleanor Holmes
  • Grantham Coleman as Blyden
  • Jamilah Rosemond as Dorie Ladner
  • Jules Latimer as Joyce Ladner
  • Maxwell Whittington-Cooper as John Lewis
  • Frank Harts as Jim Farmer
  • Kevin Mambo as Whitney Young
  • Carra Patterson as Coretta Scott King
  • Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mahalia Jackson
  • Adrienne Warren as Claudia Taylor
  • Bill Irwin as A. J. Muste
  • Jamar Williams as Tyrone
  • Hope Clarke as Lucille Randolph
  • Rashad Demond Edwards as Medgar Evers

Q.V. Hough (@QVHough) is Vague Visagesโ€™ founding editor.