The Flight cast features Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle and Kelly Reilly. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Robert Zemeckis’ 2012 movie on HBO Max. Check out more streaming guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast section.

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Flight centers on the trials and tribulations of an alcoholic pilot. When Whip survives a crash after a bender, he defends his decision-making progress. The narrative follows the main protagonist as he reaches an epiphany about his life. Here’s every actor and character in Flight.

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

Flight Cast: Denzel Washington as Whip Whitaker

Character Profile: An alcoholic pilot. He is the son of a Tuskegee Airman who vows to quit drinking after a plane crash. Whip struggles with his alcoholism before a fateful hearing.

Washington’s Resume: Malcolm X in Malcolm X (1992), Alonzo in Training Day (2001), Frank Lucas in American Gangster (2007), Tobin Frost in Safe House (2012), Joe “Deke” Deacon in The Little Things (2021)

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

Flight Cast: Don Cheadle as Hugh Lang

Character Profile: Whip’s lawyer. He is an attorney from Chicago. Hugh challenges Whip about his deceptive statements.

Cheadle’s Resume: Buck Swope in Boogie Nights (1997), Basher Tarr in the Ocean’s 11 Movie Franchise (2001-), Graham in Crash (2004), Paul Rusesabagina in Hotel Rwanda (2004), Mo Monroe in Black Monday (2019-)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘White House Plumbers’

Flight Cast: Kelly Reilly as Nicole

Character Profile: Whip’s love interest. She is a heroin addict and former photographer. Nicole separates herself from Whip in order to pursue her goals.

Reilly’s Resume: Caroline Bingley in Pride & Prejudice (2005), Jenny in Eden Lake (2008), Mary Morstan in Sherlock Holmes (2009), Beth Dutton in Yellowstone (2018-), Rowena Drake in A Haunting in Venice (2023)

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

Flight Cast: Bruce Greenwood as Charlie Anderson

Character Profile: Whip’s friend. He is a mild-mannered union leader. Charlie introduces Whip to Hugh.

Greenwood’s Resume: John F. Kennedy in Thirteen Days (2000), Pike in Star Trek (2009), Gil Garcetti in American Crime Story (2016), Randolph Bell in The Resident (2018-), Roderick Usher in The Fall of the House of Usher (2023)

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

Flight Cast: John Goodman as Harling Mays

Character Profile: Whip’s associate. He is a charismatic drug dealer. Harling helps Whip prepare for a fateful hearing.

Goodman’s Resume: Dan Conner in Roseanne (1988-2018), Charlie Meadows in Barton Fink (1991), Walter Sobchak in The Big Lebowski (1998), John Chambers in Argo (2012), Howard in 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016)

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

Flight Cast: Melissa Leo as Ellen Block

Character Profile: An NTSB investigator. She interrogates Whip at a hearing. Ellen’s line of questioning leads to an epiphany for Washington’s protagonist.

Leo’s Resume: Ray Eddy in Frozen River (2008), Alice Ward in The Fighter (2010), Holly Jones in Prisoners (2013), Susan Plummer in The Equalizer (2014), Goldie Herschlag in I’m Dying Up Here (2017-18)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast & Characters: ‘The White Lotus’

The Flight cast also includes:

• Tamara Tunie as Margaret Thomason
• Nadine Velazquez as Katerina Marquez
• Brian Geraghty as Ken Evans
• Peter Gerety as Avington Carr
• Garcelle Beauvais as Deana
• Boni Yanagisawa as Camelia Satou
• Justin Martin as Will
• James Badge Dale as Gaunt Young Man
• Piers Morgan as Himself
• E. Roger Mitchell as Craig Matson

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