The Lost Bus cast features Matthew McConaughey, America Ferrera and Yul Vazquez. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Paul Greengrass’ 2025 Apple TV+ movie. Check out more cast guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category.

The Lost Bus is based on the 2018 camp fire in Northern California’s Butte County. As a bus driver named Kevin McKay struggles with personal and professional issues, he volunteers to transport 22 children and their teachers to safety. The narrative follows the main protagonist as he gets trapped in a deadly wildfire. Here’s every actor and character in The Lost Bus, an adaptation of Lizzie Johnson’s 2021 book Paradise: One Town’s Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire.

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Highest 2 Lowest’

The Lost Bus Cast: Matthew McConaughey as Kevin McKay

Character Profile: A 44-year-old bus driver in Northern California. He struggles to connect with his teenage son. Kevin volunteers to help 22 children and their reachers find safety during a deadly brushfire.

McConaughey’s Resume: Dallas in Magic Mike (2012), Ron Woodroof in Dallas Buyers Club (2013), Detective Rust Cohle in True Detective (2014), Cooper in Interstellar (2014), Michael Pearson in The Gentlemen (2019)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Fountain of Youth’

The Lost Bus Cast: America Ferrera as Mary Ludwig

Character Profile: A Northern California teacher. She has been married 19 years and has a 15-year-old son. Mary doesn’t initially understand the immediacy of Kevin’s evacuation plan.

Ferrera’s Resume: Carmen in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005), Betty Suarez in Ugly Betty (2006-10), Astrid in How to Train Your Dragon (2010), Amy in Superstore (2015-21), Gloria in Barbie (2023)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Echo Valley’

The Lost Bus Cast: Yul Vazquez as Chief Martinez

Character Profile: A California fire chief. He struggles emotionally as a wildfire ravages Butte County. Chief Martinez realizes that he must prioritize human rescue operations over fire fighting strategies.

Vazquez’s Resume: Detective Anthony Nikolich in Treme (2012-13), Captain Frank Castellano in Captain Philips (2013), Yunis Sablo in The Outsider (2020), Petey in Severance (2022-), José Battle in Godfather of Harlem (2023)

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

The Lost Bus Cast: Ashlie Atkinson as Ruby Bishop

Character Profile: Kevin’s colleague. She is a bus dispatcher who searches for someone to help 22 children and their teachers. Ruby admires Kevin for his bravery during a rescue operation.

Atkinson’s Resume: Theresa in Rescue Me (2004-05), Connie Kendrickson in BlacKkKlansman (2018), Janice in Mr. Robot (2019), Mamie Fish in The Gilded Age (2022-), Amanda in And Just Like That… (2022-)

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

The Lost Bus cast also includes:

• Kimberli Flores as Linda
• Kay McCabe McConaughey as Sherry
• Kate Wharton as Jen Kissoon
• Danny McCarthy as Matt McKenzie
• Spencer Watson as Elliot Hopkins
• Nathan Gariety as Toby
• Olivia Darling Busby as Ava
• Mac Ericsson as Alex
• Alexander GT Auyang as Benjamin
• Jet James Grant as Brandon

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