The Leave the World Behind cast features Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali and Ethan Hawke. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Sam Esmail’s 2023 Netflix movie. Check out more streaming guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast section, and then browse complete soundtrack song listings in the Soundtracks of Cinema section.

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Leave the World Behind centers on two families who learn about a doomsday threat. When Amanda and her husband rent a house in Long Island, a mysterious man and his daughter show up. The narrative follows the main protagonists as they clash while pondering an apocalyptic event. Here’s every actor and character in Leave the World Behind, an adaptation of Rumaan Alam’s 2020 novel.

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘May December’

Leave the World Behind Cast: Julia Roberts as Amanda Sandford

Character Profile: An advertiser. She manages relationships despite hating people. Amanda develops a romantic bond with a mysterious guest.

Roberts’ Resume: Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman (1990), Julianne Potter in My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997), Erin Brockovich in Erin Brockovich (2000), Tess Ocean in Ocean’s Eleven (2001), Martha Mitchell in Gaslit (2022)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘A Nearly Normal Family’

Leave the World Behind Cast: Mahershala Ali as G.H. Scott

Character Profile: A New York City resident with a bad knee. He is on board at the Philharmonic and has interest in patterns that govern the world. G.H. hides a secret about a doomsday event.

Ali’s Resume: Richard Tyler in The 4400 (2014-17), Remy Danton in House of Cards (2013-16), Juan in Moonlight (2016), Dr. Donald Shirley in Green Book (2018), Wayne Hays in True Detective (2019)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Obliterated’

Leave the World Behind Cast: Ethan Hawke as Clay Sandford

Character Profile: Amanda’s husband. He is an English and Media Studies professor at City College. Clay gets accuses of trying to hook up with G.H.’s daughter.

Hawke’s Resume: Todd Anderson in Dead Poets Society (1989), Jake in Training Day (2001), Jesse in the Before SunriseTrilogy (1995-2013), John Brown in The Good Lord Bird (2020), Arthur Harrow in Moon Knight (2022)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Family Switch

Leave the World Behind Cast: Myha’la as Ruth Scott

Character Profile: G.H.’s daughter. She doesn’t trust Clay. Ruth feels lonely before a nuclear attack.

Myha’la’s Resume: Dymond in Premature (2019), Lulu in The Tattooed Heart (2019), Harper Stern in Industry (2020-), Logan in Plan B (2021), Jordan in Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘See You on Venus’

Leave the World Behind Cast: Farrah Mackenzie as Rose Sandford

Character Profile: Amanda and Clay’s daughter. She is an Aaron Sorkin fan. Rose watches Friends episodes while thinking about a doomsday event.

Mackenzie’s Resume: Sweet Girl in Stuck in the Middle (2016), Tiffany in You Get Me (2017), Sadie Logan in Logan Lucky (2017), Alice in Utopia (2020), Hazel in United States of Al (2021-22)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Rustin’

Leave the World Behind Cast: Charlie Evans as Archie Sandford

Character Profile: Amanda and Clay’s son. He enjoys modern technology. Archie’s teeth suddenly fall out.

Evans’ Resume: Leonard in Everything’s Gonna Be Okay (2020-21)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Locked In’

The Leave the World Behind cast also includes:

• Kevin Bacon as Danny
• Alexis Rae Forlenza as Danny’s Daughter
• Vanessa Aspillaga as Salvadora
• Josh Drennen as Officer Crow
• Erica Cho as Jocelyn
• Orli Gottesman as Taylor
• Pavel Frolov as Plane Crash Victim #1
• Jesse King as Plane Crash Victim #2
• Kevin Kenny as Plane Crash Victim #3

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