The Institute cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the MGM+ adaptation of Stephen King’s novel?

MGM+’s The Institute is the television adaptation of Stephen King’s 2019 horror novel of the same name. The show tells the story of Luke Ellis, a teen with extraordinary powers who finds himself trapped at a mysterious facility.

The place, which harbors kids with telepathic skills, conducts questionable experiments. When Luke gets to know about the real purpose of the facility, he sets out on a mission to escape and is helped by a former police officer.

Both young and veteran actors have displayed immense talent in the show, which has piqued the audience’s interest in The Institute cast and characters. So here are all the details you should have about the main and supporting actors of the show.

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The Institute cast and character guide

1. Joe Freeman as Luke Ellis

Joe Freeman stars as Luke Ellis, a new arrival at the secret facility that is experimenting on kids with telekinetic or telepathic powers. Luke is a calm and intelligent teenager who has lost his parents to murder. He is determined to escape the Institute after seeing how dangerous the place is.

Joe is the son of acclaimed actor Martin Freeman and actress Amanda Abbington. The MGM+ series marks his first project as a leading actor. He has previously appeared in an episode of the British soap opera Doctors.

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2. Ben Barnes as Tim Jamieson

Ben Barnes plays Tim Jamieson, a former cop living in a small town near the Institute. When he learns about the mysterious happenings at the facility, he decides to take it upon himself to help the children.

Ben Barnes is famous for his roles in the shows Shadow and Bone and The Punisher. He has also appeared in the films Dorian Gray, The Big Wedding, and The Chronicles of Narnia franchise.

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3. Fionn Laird as Nick Wilholm

Fionn Laird portrays Nick Wilholm, a brave and rebellious kid who teams up with Luke to escape the Institute. He has made some strong connections at the facility and is in a relationship with his fellow inmate, Kalisha. Fionn Laird is a rising star who previously played a small role in the FX true crime series Under the Banner of Heaven.

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4. Mary-Louise Parker as Ms. Sigsby

Mary-Louise Parker stars as Ms. Sigsby, the head of the facility. She is a cold and calculating woman who keeps the operation running and reports to a mysterious higher-up. Sigsby closely monitors the children’s powers and plays politics with her staff. She is the primary antagonist in the story, who is very strict with the children and has some dark motives.

Mary-Louise Parker is an Emmy Award-winning actress who is recognized for her roles in the television shows Angels in America, Weeds, and The West Wing. Her film credits include The Portrait of a Lady and Bullets Over Broadway.

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5. Simone Miller as Kalisha Benson

Simone Miller stars as Kalisha Benson, one of the older kids in the facility. She acts like a big sister to the young kids and is smart, caring, and very intuitive. She has a romantic connection with Nick but likes to keep things light.

Kalisha has some telepathic abilities and can read minds. Simone Miller is a Canadian actress known for playing Mannix in Run the Burbs, Raign Westbrook in Detention Adventure, and Lauren in Workin' Moms.

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Supporting cast members in The Institute

Apart from the above main cast members, The Institute features a talented ensemble of supporting actors. These include:

• Hannah Galway as Wendy
• Robert Joy as Hendricks
• Julian Richings as Stackhouse
• Martin Roach as Chief Ashworth
• Brendan Beiser as Norbert Hollister
• Viggo Hanvelt as Avery
• Jordan Alexander as Kate
• Jason Diaz as Tony
• Mary Walsh as Annie
• Arlen So as George
• Jane Luk as Maureen
• Birva Pandya as Iris
• Dan Beirne as Drew

The Institute airs new episodes on MGM+ on Sundays.