The Amateur cast features Rami Malek, Laurence Fishburne and Rachel Brosnahan. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for James Hawes’ 2025 movie on Disney+ and Hulu. Check out more cast guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category.

The Amateur centers on a CIA cryptographer. When Heller learns about his wife’s sudden death, he seeks permission to target her killers. The narrative follows the main protagonists as he travels overseas to track down a group of underworld figures. Here’s every actor and character in The Amateur, an adaptation of Robert Littell’s 1981 novel.

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The Amateur Cast: Rami Malek as Heller

Character Profile: A CIA cryptographer and widower who dreams of rehabbing a Cessna. He executes a “dead man switch” to protect himself from powerful colleagues. Heller becomes an IED expert while targeting his wife’s killers.

Malek’s Resume: Clark in The Master (2012), Elliot Alderson in Mr. Robot (2015-19), Flip McVicker in BoJack Horseman (2017-18), Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), Lyutsifer Safin in No Time to Die (2021)

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

The Amateur Cast: Laurence Fishburne as Henderson

Character Profile: A U.S. Army colonel. He reluctantly agrees to train Heller. Henderson initially believes that the protagonist won’t survive his mission.

Fishburne’s Resume: Tyrone “Clean” Miller in Apocalypse Now (1979), Morpheus in The Matrix Movie Franchise (1999-), Whitey Powers in Mystic River (2003), Dr. Ellis Cheever in Contagion (2011), Jack Crawford in Hannibal (2013-15)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘A Complete Unknown’

The Amateur Cast: Rachel Brosnahan as Sarah

Character Profile: Heller’s wife. She travels to London and stays at the Christopher Street Hotel. Sarah gets killed by a terrorist.

Brosnahan’s Resume: Rachel Posner in House of Cards (2013-15), Abby Isaacs in Manhattan (2014-15), Jessica Kensky in Patriots Day (2016), Miriam “Midge” Maisel in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017-23), Lois Lane in Superman (2025)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Summer of 69’

The Amateur Cast: Caitríona Balfe as Inquiline

Character Profile: Heller’s Russian associate. She reveals that her late husband was a CIA asset. Inquiline assists Heller in Istanbul while trying to “fill silence.”

Balfe’s Resume: Elizabeth Lamb in Super 8 (2011), Jessica Miller in Escape Plan (2013), Claire Randall in Outlander (2014-), Mollie Miles in Ford v Ferarri (2019), Ma in Belfast (2021)

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

The Amateur Cast: Michael Stuhlbarg as Schiller

Character Profile: A terrorist. His crew is affiliated with defense groups. Schiller kills Sarah and becomes Heller’s top target.

Stuhlbarg’s Resume: Larry Gopnik in A Simple Man (2009), Arnold Rothstein in Boardwalk Empire (2010-13), Dr. Robert Hoffstetler in The Shape of Water (2017), Mr. Pearlman in Call Me by Your Name (2017), Jimmy Baxter in Your Honor (2020-23)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘A Real Pain’

The Amateur Cast: Holt McCallany as Director Moore

Character Profile: The CIA deputy director. He organizes black ops missions for political reasons. Director Moore becomes the central figure in an international conspiracy.

McCallany’s Resume: The Mechanic in Fight Club (1999), Wade in The Losers (2010), Robert McCoy in Blue Bloods (2014-15), Bill Tench in Mindhunter (2017-19), Harlan Buckley in The Waterfront (2025)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Poor Things’

The Amateur cast also includes:

• Julianne Nicholson as Director O’Brien
• Danny Sapani as Caleb
• Jon Bernthal as The Bear
• Adrian Martinez as Carlos
• Marc Rissmann as Mishka Blazhic
• Joseph Millson as Ellish
• Barbara Probst as Gretchen Frank
• Alice Hewkin as Ali Park
• Henry Garrett as the Chief of Staff
• Marthe Keller as Florist

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