The Boys from Brazil cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the upcoming Netflix adaptation?

The Boys from Brazil is already one of the most talked-about upcoming Netflix shows, and the cast is the main reason that the general audience is freaking out about it. So if you are wondering who is playing whom in this adaptation, here is a quick answer.

Jeremy Strong leads the Netflix series as Yakov Liebermann, with August Diehl, Daniel Brühl, Gillian Anderson, Shira Haas, and Lizzy Caplan taking on other important roles. The full breakdown is right here.

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Why The Boys from Brazil is shaping up to be Netflix’s next obsession

The Boys from Brazil is based on Ira Levin’s classic story, but the Netflix version feels way bigger. Peter Morgan, the creator of The Crown, is behind the whole thing, and that alone already says a lot about the vibe.

The Netflix series will be following Yakov Liebermann, a Holocaust survivor who has spent his entire life hunting down hidden Nazi fugitives. The story doesn’t stay in one place either. It jumps across three different decades as Yakov ends up facing a new threat that has been kept secret for way too long.

The show will touch upon an era of post–World War II right up to the political chaos of the 1970s, which makes the show feel huge even though it is only five episodes. Alex Gabassi is directing every single part of it, and the production teams behind The Crown, World Productions, and Orchid Pictures are all involved.

Filming is happening across the UK, Germany, Bulgaria, and Spain, which gives the show the same big scale fans loved in Morgan’s earlier projects.

What makes The Boys from Brazil extra exciting is how the plot becomes more intense once Yakov’s young contact in Brazil discovers a horrifying plan linked to a scientist everyone thought had disappeared.

Yakov ends up racing to uncover the truth before the plan unfolds. The cast lineup is honestly stacked, so here is a closer look at who plays each major character in this adaptation.

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The cast bringing The Boys from Brazil to life

1) Jeremy Strong as Yakov Liebermann

Jeremy Strong plays Yakov Liebermann, the heart of The Boys from Brazil. His character has survived the worst parts of history and spends his life tracking down N*zi criminals who escaped justice.

Yakov’s entire mission becomes even heavier once he learns about a secret plot forming in Brazil. Strong’s intensity fits perfectly with someone who refuses to let the past be erased.

Jeremy Strong is also known for: Succession & The Gentlemen.

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2) August Diehl as Johann Friedrich Meinhardt

August Diehl steps in as Johann Friedrich Meinhardt, a N*zi scientist believed to be dead. In the Netflix adaptation, Meinhardt becomes the center of a dangerous plan that could spark a new global threat.

Diehl is known for playing complicated characters, so he brings the right energy to someone who hides behind lies and shadows.

August Diehl is also known for: Inglourious Basterds & The King's Man.

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3) Daniel Brühl as Von Harteneck

Daniel Brühl plays Von Harteneck. He is one of the bigger names tied to the story.

His character is connected to the same network Yakov is trying to expose. With Brühl’s reputation for playing sharp and smart roles, he fits right into the world of The Boys from Brazil.

Daniel Brühl is also known for: The Falcon and the Winter Soldier & Rush.

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4) Gillian Anderson as Frieda Steiner

Gillian Anderson is Frieda Steiner. She joins the story as someone who carries crucial information about what happened after the war.

Anderson’s roles are always powerful, and here she adds another layer to the show’s tension.

Gillian Anderson is also known for: Sex Education & The X Files.

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5) Shira Haas as Anna Koehler

Shira Haas takes on the role of Anna Koehler. In The Boys from Brazil, Anna brings emotional weight to the story and becomes a key part of the mystery that unfolds around Yakov.

Shira Haas is also known for: Unorthodox & Shtisel.

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6) Lizzy Caplan as Hannah Liebermann

Lizzy Caplan plays Hannah Liebermann, someone deeply tied to Yakov’s personal life. Her presence in The Boys from Brazil helps show more of Yakov’s world outside the mission, which gives the series a bit more heart.

Lizzy Caplan is also known for: Mean Girls & The Now You See Me franchise.

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The Boys from Brazil has a spectacular cast that instantly makes the show feel bigger, and each actor here fits their character perfectly. With Peter Morgan leading the show, the Netflix series is set up to be one of the platform's biggest releases next year.

If you want a show that plays on history, suspense, and a cast filled with strong performers, this one should already be on your watch list.

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