The Napoleon cast features Joaquin Phoenix, Vanessa Kirby and Tahar Rahim. This info article contains minor spoilers and cast/character summaries for Ridley Scott’s 2023 Apple TV+ movie. Check out more streaming guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category, and then browse complete soundtrack song listings in the Soundtracks of Cinema section.

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Napoleon chronicles the life and times of a legendary military commander. During the French Revolution, Napoleon Bonaparte acquires power and ultimately becomes the Emperor. The narrative follows the main protagonist as he gets exiled to Elba and then Saint Helena. Here’s every actor and character in Napoleon.

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’

Napoleon Cast: Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon Bonaparte

Character Profile: A French military commander. He acquires power during the early 19th century. Napoleon maintains a complicated relationship with his wife while anticipating an heir.

Phoenix’s Resume: Commodus in Gladiator (2000), Johnny Cash in Walk the Line (2005), Freddie Quell in The Master (2012), Theodore in Her (2013), Arthur Fleck in Joker (2019)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘The New Look’

Napoleon Cast: Vanessa Kirby as Joséphine Bonaparte

Character Profile: Napoleon’s wife. She cheats on her husband and initially fails to produce an heir. Joséphine reluctantly ends her marriage to Napoleon but offers emotional support.

Kirby’s Resume: Princess Margaret in The Crown (2016-22), The White Widow in Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018), Hattie in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw (2019), Martha in Pieces of a Woman (2020), Tallie in The World to Come (2020)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Criminal Record’

Napoleon Cast: Tahar Rahim as Paul Barras

Character Profile: A revolutionary leader. He assigns Napoleon to lead the Siege of Toulon. Paul gets left behind after a coup.

Rahim’s Resume: Malik El Djebena in A Prophet (2009), Prince Auda in Day of the Falcon (2011), Samir in The Past (2013), Mohamedou Ould Slahi in The Mauritanian (2021), Ezekiel Sims in Madame Web (2024)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Masters of the Air’

Napoleon Cast: Rupert Everett as Duke of Wellington

Character Profile: A British military leader. He defeats Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. The Duke of Wellington sends Phoenix’s character to Saint Helena as punishment.

Everett’s Resume: Francesco Dellamorte in Cemetery Man (1994), George Downes in My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997), Lord Goring in An Ideal Husband (1999), Oscar Wilde in The Happy Prince (2018), Patrick in My Policeman (2022)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘The Family Plan’

The Napoleon cast also includes:

• Mark Bonnar as Junot
• Paul Rhys as Talleyrand
• Ben Miles as Caulaincourt
• Riana Duce as Lucille
• Ludivine Sagnier as Theresa Cabarrus
• Edouard Philipponnat as Tsar Alexander
• Miles Jupp as Emperor Francis I
• Scott Handy as Marshal Berthier
• Youssef Kerkour as Marshal Davout
• John Hollingworth as Marshal Ney

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