Seeing Double? Here’s Where You’ve Seen These Familiar-Looking Netflix Stars Before
Netflix is arguably one of the most popular streaming platforms on the market. And with an ever-growing catalog of original content, it takes a team of people to find actors to fill all of the roles. Thankfully, Netflix keeps an army of amazing talent at the ready, so some of the actors and actresses might look familiar to viewers.
Ever wonder where you've seen Mike Wheeler from Stranger Things before? Or how about Luther from The Umbrella Academy? If you think an actor or actress looks familiar, you've likely seen them elsewhere. Keep scrolling; you'll learn why some of these faces look so familiar. We promise you're not seeing double!
Mike Wheeler From Stranger Things
Before he became Mike Wheeler, the ring leader for his ragtag group of Dungeons & Dragons-playing friends in Stranger Things, Finn Wolfhard's career was already taking off. Even though he's probably best known for his adventures with Eleven and the Upside-Down, Wolfhard had a few guest roles before the part.
You might recognize the young actor from series such as The 100 and Supernatural. Of course, it wasn't until Stranger Things that Wolfhard started making ripples in the industry. Now, you might recognize his moppy head of hair from Stephen King's IT, or maybe the film adaptation of Donna Tartt's novel The Goldfinch.
Luther Hargreeves From The Umbrella Academy
Before strapping into the space boots of Luther Hargreeves, a.k.a. Number One, for the original series The Umbrella AAcademy, Tom Hopper was already a small screen veteran. You might recognize the actor from his multiple guest appearances in both BBC and American television programs.
In 2007, Hopper had a guest role on Doctor Who, Casualty, and Good Cop. Then, he began to land bigger reoccurring roles, including that of Sir Percival in the hit series Merlin. You also might recognize the tall actor from his short-lived character Dickon Tarly in Game of Thrones.
Theodora Crain From The Haunting of Hill House
Horror genre fans might recognize Kate Siegel for her work both on and off camera. On Netflix, the actress stars as Theodora Crain, a partially psychotic woman on the hit series The Haunting of Hill House. But it's likely that isn't the reason people know her name or face.
Siegel is recognized for her work on Oculus, a film she starred in and co-wrote with her husband, director Mike Flanagan. It wasn't the last time the two paired up either. They worked together on multiple films, including 13 Days to Midnight, Ouija: Origin of Evil, as well as the adaptation of Stephen King's novel Gerald's Game.
Ruth Langford From Ozark
Julia Garner stole the show when she was introduced as the character Ruth Langford in Ozark. The role of the savvy, scrappy, and yet sensitive accomplice to money launderer Marty Byrde, Ruth, even landed Garner an Emmy Award. Since the show, Garner is recognized in a few other series.
Recently, she played the role of Michelle Jones in the based on a true story miniseries Waco. Jones was one of many wives to David Koresh, the founder of the Branch Davidians. But her most notable role is arguably that of Ellie Landsberg in the futuristic Netflix dramedy Maniac.
Reileen Kawahara From Altered Carbon
Australian actress Dichen Lachman might look familiar in her role as Reileen Kawahara, a revolutionary who is part of the fight against the dystopian government in the hit Netflix series Altered Carbon. The truth is, the actress didn't make it big in the US until around 2009, when she landed one of the main parts in the series Dollhouse.
From there, Lachman seemed to have found her niche in sci-fi roles. Her resume includes The 100 and Torchwood, as well as the popular series Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. She also played a horrible vampire named Shern during the second season of Being Human.
Otis Milburn From Sex Education
You might recognize Asa Butterfield, aka Otis Milburn, in the popular Netflix series Sex Education. But the adorably dorky character isn't Butterfield's first rodeo in Hollywood. Actually, the actor started off in the industry at a very young age, making his big break when he was still in single-digits.
Butterfield's breakout role was in the screen adaptation of John Boyne's novel The Boy in The Striped Pajamas. From there, it was all uphill for the young actor. He landed lead roles in films such as Hugo and Ender's Game. And he also had a supporting role as young Mordrid in the popular BBC series Merlin.
Charlotte From The Perfection
Allison Williams plays musical prodigy Charlotte in the Netflix thriller film The Perfection. But it's most likely you recognize the actress from elsewhere since she embarked on her career in the industry back in 2012 when the comedy series Girls aired on HBO. She played Marnie Michaels and even received a Critics Choice Award for her performance.
The comedian switched gears in 2017, landing a role in her first thriller. Remember Jordan Peele's horror film Get Out? Williams played the two-faced Rose Armitage. Her role in the film made a lasting impression on many fans of the thriller genre.
Five From 6 Underground
In the Michael Bay Netflix film 6 Underground, Ryan Reynold's co-star might look a bit familiar. Adria Arjona plays Five, the justice-minded doctor in the ragtag vigilante squad of six people. Interestingly, Arjona didn't break into Hollywood until 2012, and from there, people started recognizing the actress.
Arguably her most popular on-screen character is modern-day good witch and prophecy interpreter Anathema Device in the adaptation of Good Omens. But, ironically, her voice might be the most noticeable thing about Arjona. The actress actually lent her voice to the character Ramirez in the uber-popular video game Fortnite.
Princess Margaret From The Crown
Before Helena Bonham Carter took over as Princess Margaret in The Crown, a younger version of the princess was played by Vanessa Kirby. The actress has an impressive resume consisting of more than a few high-profile British series and films.
Kirby was part of the film adaptation of Great Expectations as well as a series called The Hour, to name a few. But Kirby isn't solely involved in British television, having landed a few big-budget Hollywood projects, such as Hattie Shaw in the Fast and Furious spinoff Hobbs & Shaw.
Quellcrist Falconer From Altered Carbon
Since her name is a bit long, it's understandable if you haven't been able to put a name to the familiar-looking actress playing Quellcrist Falconer on the dystopian series Altered Carbon. Ironically, Renée Elise Goldsberry is no stranger to the screen or stage, with the Netflix series being her first major role that doesn't showcase her impressive singing ability.
That's right! You might recognize her from a few very popular Broadway musicals. She was Nala in The Lion King, Mimi in Rent, Nettie Harris in The Color Purple, and, of course, she was part of the all-star Hamilton cast.
Princess Margaret From The Crown
When it comes to Helena Bonham Carter, it seems as though she has two character types: a royal or a complete misfit. For her part in The Crown, it's the former with a smidge of the latter. Bonham Carter takes over as Princess Margaret in the third season of the drama series, but we'd bet it's not the first time you've seen the actress.
You probably recognize the quirky actress from her numerous roles in Tim Burton films, such as Alice in Wonderland. Then, of course, she was Bellatrix. But one of her most well-known characters is arguably her Academy Award-winning role as Princess Margaret's mother in The King's Speech.
Emaline From Everything Sucks!
Before landing the role of Emaline in the coming-of-age Netflix series Everything Sucks!, actress Sydney Sweeney was landing guest roles left and right. You might recognize the actress from her various pop-ups in popular shows such as Criminal Minds, Pretty Little Liars, 90210, and Grey's Anatomy.
But it wasn't until Everything Sucks! that the world of acting really opened up for Sweeney. Soon after her Netflix series was canceled, the actress landed the role of Eden Spencer in the critically acclaimed series The Handmaid's Tale. She also landed the role of Alice in HBO's film adaptation of Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects.
Stefan from Black Mirror: Bandersnatch
Fionn Whitehead might not be a household name quite yet, but his character Stefan in Black Mirror: Bandersnatch did get him some recognition in the industry, considering all of his screen time. Then he landed it big time in a Christopher Nolan film.
Whitehead starred as Tommy in the war epic Dunkirk. The lead role kick-started the actor's film career, landing him a role in the film adaptation of Ian McEwan's The Children Act, as well as the 2020 thriller, Don't Tell a Soul. Ironically, Whitehead would rather be known for his work and not by his name, according to The Evening Standard.
Maggie Novak From I Am Not Okay With This
In one of Kathleen Rose Perkins' rare non-comedy roles comes Maggie Novak, mother of super-powered teen Sydney, and one of the only adults on the show I Am Not Okay With This. But you probably recognize the name and actress from various sitcoms, considering she is one of the most frequently cast sitcom actors out there.
You might remember Perkins popping up in an episode or a few of everything from How I Met Your Mother to Fresh off the Boat and American Housewife. And then there is the dark comedy series Episodes on Showtime where she stars as Carol Rance, a woman in a relationship that is going nowhere.
Ruben "Ruby" Martinez From On My Block
For Jason Genao, his role as Ruben "Ruby" Martinez in On My Block is his first major breakout series. That being said, he might look vaguely familiar from other shows and films, as he has made a lot of guest appearances.
Before playing the math genius Ruby, Genao could be seen in the historical hip-hop series The Get Down. The young actor also landed a part in Logan as one of the children in the X-23 experiments. Here's to hoping we see more of Genao's on-screen work!
John Ambrose McClaren From To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You
Jordan Fisher plays John Ambrose McClaren, Lara Jean Covey's love interest in To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You. For this actor, he is no stranger to teenage series or films, so you might recognize him from a few. Fisher played Jacob in The Secret Life of the American Teenager as well as Holden Dippledorf in Liv and Maddie.
Even though he has been in a few teen dramas, Fisher is actually more of a dancing and singing-type actor. You might recognize him from the Disney Channel original Teen Beach Movie. He also took part in the epic "stage" performance Grease Live!
Alice From Cam
Madeline Brewer might be relatively new to the entertainment industry, but much like her character Alice in Cam, she's made quite the impression on the small screen. The actress has landed roles in multiple popular television series.
So, you might recognize her from playing the ill-fated Orange Is The New Black character, Tricia Miller. And fans of the critically acclaimed Hulu series The Handmaid's Tale might remember seeing Brewer's face a time or two. She plays the mutilated yet cheerful handmaid Janine.
William Bufalino From The Irishman
In the Netflix original film The Irishman, Ray Romano plays lawyer William "Bill" Bufalino. But you most likely recognized this actor from his multiple other high-profile roles. Romano is considered to be one of the most successful sitcom stars of all time. So you probably know him from the '90s series Everybody Loves Raymond.
For a time, Romano switched gears and turned toward dramatic roles, such as his appearance in Vinyl. Recently he has dabbled in dark comedy with a starring role in Get Shorty.
Jake Gottlieb From The Irishman
Paul Ben-Victor has one of those faces that make viewers go, "oh, look, it's that guy!" So when he showed up in The Irishman as Jake Gottlieb, no one was overly surprised. Ben-Victor is typically cast as a criminal, tough guy, and overall bad apple most of the time.
Thankfully, his performances are always top-notch. You might recognize the actor for his role as henchman Palaka on John from Cincinnati or maybe as a villain Jose Quesada in Daredevil.
Theodore Finch From All The Bright Places
Have you ever thought Justice Smith, who plays un-diagnosed bi-polar teen Theodore Finch in All the Bright Places, looked familiar? That's because the actor was in one of those John Green films when they were immensely popular with the YA crowd.
Remember the kid who was embarrassed to have his friends over because of his parents' Black Santa collection in Paper Towns? That character was played by none other than Smith! You might also recognize him from the recent film Detective Pikachu where he played wanna-be trainer Tim Goodman.
