The I Saw the TV Glow cast features Justice Smith, Brigette Lundy-Paine and Ian Foreman. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Jane Schoenbrun’s 2024 movie on Amazon, Apple and HBO Max. Check out more streaming guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category.

I Saw the TV Glow explores the lives of two teenagers. In 1996, a boy named Owen falls in love with a TV show called “The Pink Opaque.” The narrative follows the main protagonist in 2006 as he reunites with a childhood friend who makes shocking claims about the aforementioned program. Here’s every actor and character in I Saw the TV Glow.

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

I Saw the TV Glow Cast: Justice Smith as Owen

Character Profile: The main protagonist in the 2006 timeline. He contemplates the past while working at a movie theatre. Owen reunites with a missing friend who challenges him to rethink his experiences with “The Pink Opaque.”

Smith’s Resume: Radar in Paper Towns (2015), Ezekiel “Books” Figuero in The Get Down (2016-17), Franklin Webb in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), Thomas in The Voyeurs (2021), Tom in Sharper (2023)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Alien: Romulus’

I Saw the TV Glow Cast: Brigette Lundy-Paine as Maddy

Character Profile: Owen’s queer friend. She disappears after fleeing from her abusive father in 1998 and later claims that she entered “The Pink Opaque” universe.  Maddy reunites with Owen and warns him about a conspiracy involving a TV character known as Mr. Melancholy.

Lundy-Paine’s Resume: Casey Gardner in Atypical (2017-21), Maureen in The Glass Castle (2017), Dusan’s Girlfriend in Downsizing (2017), Julia Clarke in Bombshell (2019), Billie in Bill & Ted Face the Music (2020)

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

I Saw the TV Glow Cast: Ian Foreman as Young Owen

Character Profile: A younger version of the protagonist in 1996. He falls in a love with “The Pink Opaque” and gets ridiculed by his father. Young Owen’s mother dies from cancer.

Foreman’s Resume: Moh in Ordinary Joe (2021), Jamie Rich in The Holiday Switch (2021), Isaiah Cole in Let the Right One In (2022), Clarence Jr. in Dogwood (2023), Young Tarrell in Exhibiting Forgiveness (2024)

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

I Saw the TV Glow Cast: Helena Howard as Isabel

Character Profile: The star of “The Pink Opaque.” Her character shares a telepathic connection with another woman. Isabel gets buried alive.

Howard’s Resume: Madeline in Madeline’s Madeline (2018), Nora Reid in The Wilds (2020-22), Aisha in Don’t Look Deeper (2020), Sally in Social Distance (2020), Cleo in Shoplifters of the World (2021)

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

I Saw the TV Glow Cast: Danielle Deadwyler as Brenda

Character Profile: Owen’s mother. She offers live advice to her son while surviving a health scare in the 90s. Brenda’s eventual death leads to Owen living with his emotionally abusive father.

Deadwyler’s Resume: LaQuita “Quita” Maxwell in The Haves and the Have Nots (2016-20), Nicque Green in Paradise Lost (2020), June in Watchmen (2019), Cuffee in The Harder They Fall (2021), Miranda Carroll in Station Eleven (2021)

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

The I Saw the TV Glow cast also includes:

• Lindsey Jordan as Tara
• Fred Durst as Frank
• Conner O’Malley as Dave
• Emma Portner as Mr. Melancholy/Marco/Amanda/Evil Clown
• Madaline Riley as Polo
• Amber Benson as Johnny Link’s Mom
• Albert Birney as Mr. Sprinkly
• Michael C. Maronna as Neighbor 1
• Danny Tamberelli as Neighbor 2
• Timothy Griffin Allan as Lance
• Tyler Dean Flores as Cade
• Elizabeth Scopel as Drive-Thru Kid
• Marlyn Bandiero as Brenda’s Friend

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