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The series stars a issue of relative newcomers, including Jessie Mei Li as main character Alina Starkov, aboard some more conventional actors, such as Westworld ’ s Ben Barnes and My Family ’ second Zoë Wanamaker .
Given that these characters – all of whom originate from Bardugo ’ s democratic Grishaverse novels – were already extremely popular, there was a batch of press on the cast. But the chemical reaction from fans has been identical incontrovertible so far.
Read on for everything you need to know about the characters and the actors playing them .
Jessie Mei Li plays Alina Starkov
Netflix
Who is Alina Starkov? At the beginning of the series, Alina is a shy young orphan who works as a mapmaker in the Ravkan army. But, when she is sent on a mission to cross the Shadow Fold, she unleashes an unbeknown ability that changes everything – and reveals her to be the one of the most powerful Grisha who has ever lived. She is then sent to the capital Os Alta, where she will be trained under the guidance of General Kirigan. In the series, Alina is half-Shu – a deepen that was made from the books .
What else has Jessie Mei Li been in? This is Mei Li ’ s biggest screen function to date – although she did appear in the 2019 West End production of All About Eve aboard Gillian Anderson and Lily James. She will besides star in the approaching Edgar Wright film concluding Night in Soho .
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Ben Barnes plays General Kirigan/The Darkling
Netflix
Who is General Kirigan? General Kirigan, besides known as the Darkling, is the head of the Grisha Army and is a cryptic, potent figure. He is the alone person able of summoning darkness and has become a deeply detached calculate – until he meets Alina, who he takes under his fender .
What else has Ben Barnes been in? Barnes is no strange to big-budget illusion, having first gear shot to prominence as Prince Caspian in The Chronicles of Narnia film series. He ’ south besides starred as Logan Delos on Westworld and Billy Russo/Jigsaw in The Punisher, while he played the function of Benjamin Greene on the 2019 BBC One play Gold Digger .
Freddy Carter plays Kaz Brekker
Netflix
Who is Kaz? Kaz is a penis of the Dregs, differently known as the Crows – a street gang in Ketterdam. He is the leader of the group, and something of a condemnable originator, which has made the Crows one of the biggest and most ambitious gangs about. He is sometimes known as Dirtyhands thanks to his willingness to take on any job or mission regardless of how dangerous it might be .
What else has Freddy Carter been in? This will be Carter ’ s biggest role to date – although he did star as Peter “ Pin ” Hawthorne on the Netflix play Free Rein and its two by-product films. He ’ second besides appeared in three episodes of Pennyworth and had a very minor function in Wonder Woman .
Amita Suman plays Inej Ghafa
Netflix
Who is Inej? Inej is another member of the Crows, and serves as Kaz ’ s right-hand woman. She is a coach acrobat of Suli background and is a overcome descry, with incredible reflexes and knife skills – earning her the nickname The Wraith. Despite her dare nature, she has a impregnable moral circumnavigate, and if ever there is a task that she feels crosses the line, she is unwilling to take it on .
What else has Amita Suman been in? Amita Suman ‘ s most big function thus army for the liberation of rwanda is playing Naya in the CW illusion serial The Outpost, while she besides had a major role in the Doctor Who series 11 episode Demons of the Punjab as Umbreen .
Kit Young plays Jesper Fahey
Netflix
Who is Jesper? Sharpshooter Jesper is the Dregs ’ resident maverick – constantly up for a jest and prone to the leftover gamble gorge. When he needs to be relied on, however, he frequently delivers : he ’ randomness famed for his near-perfect aim no matter what the circumstance. He is besides secretly a Durast ( a form of Grisha ), but a childhood injury stops him from using his powers.
What else has Kit Young been in? This will be by some distance Young ’ s most high-profile screen credit to date. He previously appeared in one episode of Endeavour in 2019, and besides has several major stage credits to his name including playing Lysander in a west end production of Midsummer Night ’ s Dream .
Archie Renaux plays Malyen “Mal” Oretsev
Netflix
Who is Mal? Mal grew up in the lapp orphanage as Alina and has been her long-run best ally, but is separated from her after she is sent away to Os Olta. He is a give soldier and is determined to keep his friendship with Alina animated evening after they have gone down separate paths .
What else has Archie Renaux been in? Like his Shadow and Bone co-star Ben Barnes, Archie starred in BBC One play Gold Digger in 2019, playing Leo Day. He ’ second besides appeared in one episode of Hanna and has been cast in the approaching films Voyagers and Morbius .
Danielle Galligan plays Nina Zenik
Netflix
Who is Nina? A Ravkan Heartrender who now lives in Ketterdam and has been known to work with the Dregs, Nina is a loyal and compassionate person – but can besides be pitiless when required. She was previously captured by Matthias Helvar while carrying out a mission .
What else has Danielle Galligan been in? Galligan appeared in one episode of the final season of Game of Thrones in 2019, while she ’ s besides appeared in two episodes each of Krypton and Cold Courage. She besides has a wealth of stage credits to her diagnose, primarily in Dublin .
Daisy Head plays Genya Safin
Netflix
Who is Genya? Genya is one of the Palace Grisha and is placed in charge of shaping appearances. She quickly becomes one of Alina ’ randomness best friends and allies in the palace, and is staunchly firm to the Grisha cause .
What else has Daisy Head been in? Head made her small-screen debut at the age of 15, appearing alongside her father Anthony in an episode of the ITV series Rose and Maloney. She ’ sulfur since had main roles in a string of series including US drama Guilt, ITV play Girlfriends and the third series of both The Syndicate and Harlots .
Sujaya Dasgupta plays Zoya Nazyalensky
Netflix
Who is Zoya? Zoya is a knock-down Grisha Squaller who has the ability to create storms and does not get on well with Alina – in part because she is jealous of the attention she has been receiving from the Darkling .
What else has Sujaya Dasgupta been in? Dasgupta previously starred aboard Shadow and Bone co-star Daisy Head in seven episodes of Guilt, while she had a recurring function in Casualty in 2018, was separate of the vomit for BBC One drama Press the like year, and was in one episode of I May Destroy You survive year .
Calahan Skogman plays Matthias Helvar
Netflix
Who is Matthias? A Fjerdan Drüskelle soldier and Grisha-hunter, Matthias captured Nina because his people are fishy of witchcraft and believe that all Grisha should be destroyed, however, he nowadays resides in a Ketterdam prison. On the coat, he is edgy and not the friendliest, but there ’ s a softer side to him adenine well .
What else has Calahan Skogman been in? Shadow and Bone will be Skogman ’ s first major character – he ’ south previously only appeared in a handful of shorts and the 2019 film Blood Puppet ! Christmas ’ 94 .
Zoë Wanamaker plays Baghra
Netflix
Who is Baghra? Aside from General Kirigan, Baghra is the alone early Dark Grisha left in the world, while she besides serves as Alina ’ s teacher when she arrives at the palace .
What else has Zoë Wannamaker been in? One of the more recognizable faces in the cast, Wanamaker is best know for her roles as Susan Harper in My Family and Madam Hooch in Harry Potter and the Philosopher ’ s Stone. early film roles have included Wilde, My Week with Marilyn while on the small screen she ’ s starred in Agatha Christie ’ sulfur Poirot, Mr Selfridge, and Girlfriends in addition to BAFTA-nominated turns in Prime Suspect and Love Hurts. She ’ sulfur besides starred extensively on degree, garnering numerous nominations at both the Olivier Awards and the Tonys .
Luke Pasqualino plays David Kostyk
Netflix
Who is David? David is a Durast who has the ability to manipulate metal, and specialises in research and development. He is the brains behind the second army .
What else has Luke Pasqualino been in? Pasqualino may distillery be familiar to viewers for his break character as Freddie McClair on Skins, while he has since starred as D ’ Artagnan in The Musketeers and as Elvis Harte in Our Girl. He ’ south besides been a guest star on both Inside No.9 and Death in Paradise and had a back function in Bong Joon-ho ’ randomness 2013 film Snowpiercer .
Howard Charles plays The Conductor
Who is The Conductor? This character doesn ’ t actually appear in Bardugo ’ sulfur novels, but was introduced entirely for the serial. His real name is Arken Visser and he is a smuggler, who has previously come to the help of many Grisha – helping them escape military service by crossing the fold in a particular train. He besides sometimes goes rogue, most clearly when he attempts to assassinate Alina after agreeing to help the Crows capture her .
What else has Howard Charles been in? Charles ’ most outstanding credit to go steady is the function of Porthos in BBC One ’ s The Musketeers, in which he starred opposite Luke Pasqualino ( making Shadow and Bone a mini-Musketeers reunion ! ). end year Charles starred in three episodes of Alex Rider on Amazon Prime Video .
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The frame besides includes Kevin Eldon ( Brass Eye ) as The Apparat, Julian Kostov ( A discovery of Witches ) as Fedyor Kaminsky, Simon Sears ( Ride Upon the Storm ) as Ivan, Gabrielle Brooks as Nadia Zhabin, Jasmine Blackborow as Marie, Angus Castle-Doughty as Mikhael, Caroline Boulton as Petya and Jimmy Clark as Tofin.
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Want more prove content ? here ’ s all of the major changes between the usher and the Shadow and Bone books, our guide to where Shadow and Bone was filmed, or, if you ’ ve already completed serial one, read our Shadow and Bone ending breakdown and whether there will be a Shadow and Bone season two .
Shadow and Bone is available to watch on Netflix. Check out our lists of the best series on Netflix and best movies on Netflix, or visit our TV Guide for something else to watch. For all things fantasy, visit our dedicated Fantasy hub.
