The Cape Fear cast features Javier Bardem, Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson. This info article contains minor spoilers and character details for Nick Antosca’s 2026 Apple TV miniseries on Peacock. Check out more cast guides in Vague Visages’ Know the Cast category.

Cape Fear centers on a convicted killer. When Max Cady gets released early from prison, a community worries about his intentions. The narrative follows the central villain as he clashes with his former defense attorney and her prosecutor husband. Here’s every actor and character in Cape Fear, an adaptation of John D. MacDonald’s 1957 novel The Executioners.

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Presumed Innocent’

Cape Fear Cast: Javier Bardem as Max Cady

Character Profile: A convicted killer who serves 17 years in prison. He re-enters society after being exonerated of murdering his wife. Max terrorizes the family of the man who prosecuted him.

Bardem’s Resume: Ramón Sampedro in The Sea Inside (2004), Anton Chigurh in No Country for Old Men (2007), Silva in Skyfall (2012), Stilgar in Dune: Part One (2021), Jose Menendez in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story (2024)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Margo’s Got Money Troubles’

Cape Fear Cast: Amy Adams as Anna Bowden

Character Profile: Max’s former defense attorney. She is a married woman with two kids. Anna believes that Max catfished her teenage son.

Adams’ Resume: Ashely in Junebug (2005), Giselle in Enchanted (2007), Charlene Fleming in The Fighter (2010), Sydney Prosser in American Hustle (2013), Louise Banks in Arrival (2016)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Dope Thief’

Cape Fear Cast: Patrick Wilson as Tom Bowden

Character Profile: Anna’s husband. He is an attorney who served as the prosecutor in Max’s murder trial. Tom worries about Anna’s “tunnel vision” while assessing her former client’s motivations.

Wilson’s Resume: Joe Pitt in Angels in America (2003), Raoul in The Phantom of the Opera (2004), Jeff Kohlver in Hard Candy (2005), Josh Lambert in Insidious (2010), Ed Warren in The Conjuring (2013)

Read More at VV — Know the Cast: ‘Imperfect Women’

Cape Fear Cast: Joe Anders as Zach Bowden

Character Profile: Anna and Tom’s son. He is a teenager who feels detached from his parents. Zach communicates with a mysterious online girlfriend.

Anders’ Resume: Writer of Goodbye June (2025) — Also, Private Willock in 1917 (2019), Billy in I Am… (2022), Frank Kleeman, American GI in Lee (2023), George Bobbin in Bonus Track (2023)

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

Cape Fear Cast: Lily Collias as Natalie Bowden

Character Profile: Anna and Tom’s daughter. She feels exhausted and unseen by her parents. Natalie explores her sexuality as her family gets terrorized by Max.

Collias’ Resume: Emma in Palm Trees and Power Lines (2022), Sam in Good One (2024), Lindsay in Roofman (2025)

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

Cape Fear Cast: CCH Pounder as Noa Toussaint

Character Profile: Anna’s colleague. She directs a criminal justice program called the Savannah Justice League Project. Noa works closely with Anna as Max causes friction in his community.

Pounder’s Resume: Detective Claudette Wyms in The Shield (2002-08), Mo’at in Avatar (2009), Sister Abigail in Orphan (2009), Dorothea in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013), Loretta Wade in NCIS: New Orleans (2014-21)

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

The Cape Fear cast also includes:

• Samantha Clifford as Hope
• Gem Marc Collins as Kyle
• Dot Cloud as Callie
• Miles Mussenden as Carson
• Jamie Hector as Ray Rawlins
• Anna Baryshnikov as Tabitha
• Ryan Anthony Holcomb as Danny
• Max Mattern as Luke
• Brandon Hirsch as Jared
• Margarita Levieva as Lexi
• Gabrielle Byndloss as Paloma
• Daniel Di Amante as Cameraman Dustin
• Jullian Dulce Vida as Byron French
• Grady Bartholf as Teenage Max
• Wynn Everett as Catherine Buckley

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