Summary
- Full Circle is a crime drama miniseries with a talented cast that brings thrills and twists to a fascinating storyline.
- Zazie Beetz plays Mel Harmony, a dedicated US Postal fraud inspector investigating a botched kidnapping.
- The Full Circle cast also includes Claire Danes as Sam Browne, a lawyer who admits to a conspiracy involving her father’s business.
WARNING: The following contains SPOILERS for Full Circle.
The Full Circle cast assists in weaving a twisty and mind-boggling crime thriller mystery, as the miniseries follows two families, fraud inspectors, and a kidnapping gone wrong. Created by Ed Solomon and directed by Steven Soderbergh, Full Circle debuted on the streamer on July 13, and features a talented, well-known cast who bring their talent to embody a slate of colorful characters, each of whom becomes embroiled in a scintillating mystery.
Full Circle is a crime drama that brings thrills and twists to its fascinating storyline, bringing together a plethora of characters who would have otherwise not crossed paths had there not been some history and secrets between them. The miniseries premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Festival and consists of six episodes. Full Circle has received a mostly positive reception from critics, who praised the cast’s strong performances. The Full Circle cast is comprised of a talented ensemble that includes Claire Danes and Zazie Beetz, among several others, and they bring their characters to life as the story unfolds over the course of the limited series.
Zazie Beetz as Mel Harmony
Zazie Beetz plays Mel Harmony in the Full Circle cast. Mel Harmony is a US Postal fraud inspector who investigates the botched kidnapping of Nicky when the affluent couple Derek and Sam Browne’s son Jared was the intended victim. Dedicated and impassioned, Harmony gets to the bottom of Sam’s secret that led to Mahabir’s wrath, despite being kicked off the case. German-American actress Zazie Beetz got her start appearing in the short film The Crocotta, but is probably best known for playing Domino in Deadpool 2.
Beetz has had a number of television and movie roles over the years, playing Sophie Dumond in Joker, Darla in The Undiscovered Country, and Van in the Donald Glover TV series Atlanta. Full Circle isn’t Beetz’s first miniseries, as she’s also had roles in Margot vs Lily and Home Movie: The Princess Bride. More recently, Beetz has voiced Amber Bennett in Robert Kirkman’s adult animated series Invincible, and will soon reprise the role of Sophie Dumond for Joker: Folie à Deux.
Claire Danes as Sam Browne
Claire Danes joins the Full Circle cast as Samantha “Sam” Browne, a lawyer and wealthy Manhattanite who oversees her father’s, Chef Jeff’s, business. Sam surprises everyone when she admits the condo developments in Guyana were a part of a conspiracy to elevate her father’s career, resulting in the displacement of families and death. She does the right thing in the end, handing over valuable documents to Harmony that will inevitably lead to her imprisonment. NYC-born and raised Claire Danes got her start in the industry starring in the short film Dreams of Love but got her big break after playing Beth March in 1994’s Little Women.
Soon after, Danes snagged the lead on the short-lived coming-of-age series My So Called Life as Angela Chase. Her next major project involved the world of Shakespeare as she played opposite Leonardo DiCaprio in Baz Luhrmann’s cult classic reimagining Romeo + Juliet before voicing San in Princess Mononoke. Danes has starred in numerous notable projects, such as Stardust, Homeland, and Les Misérables. Outside of Full Circle, she most recently appeared in Fleishman is in Trouble.
Timothy Olyphant as Derek Brown
Timothy Olyphant’s Full Circle cast character is the affluent Derek Browne, Sam’s husband, who is also overseeing Chef Jeff’s business. Together, they’re helicopter parents to their shy son Jared. When Nicky is kidnapped instead of Jared, it’s revealed that Nicky is actually Derek’s illegitimate son. Though reluctant at first, Derek eventually does take responsibility for his actions and admits his mistakes. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, actor Timothy Olyphant kickstarted his career on the screen by playing Kookie in the TV movie Sunset Strip.
With over 70 credits to his name, Olyphant has a storied career in the TV and film industry. He’s well-known for playing Todd Gaines in Go, David in The Crazies, and Nick in A Perfect Getaway. However, his most celebrated role to date is that of Raylan Givens in Justified. Olyphant has appeared in a number of television shows like The Office, Deadwood, and The Mandalorian, but has also been cast in movies like Amsterdam, Live Free or Die Hard, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. He reprises the role of Raylan Givens in Justified: City Primeval and can soon be seen in Havoc.
Dennis Quaid as Jeff McCusker
Dennis Quaid plays Jeff “Chef Jeff” McCusker in the Full Circle cast. Jeff is Sam’s father, and a celebrity chef who has made millions selling hot sauce. However, Jeff’s fame wasn’t earned, as it was found out that his chess buddy Clarence was the one responsible for putting a kidnapping hit on Jared to avenge the death of his grandson in the condo scheme and lift the Mahabir family curse. Hailing from Houston, Texas, Dennis Quaid’s first role was uncredited, appearing as a bellhop in the 1975 film Crazy Mama. However, he started to receive widespread recognition after playing Mike in Breaking Away.
Like many of his costars, Quaid has had a long career in TV and film. He’s best known for playing Lindsay Lohan’s father Nick Parker in The Parent Trap, Jack Hall in the disaster movie The Day After Tomorrow, Lt. Tuck Pendleton in Innerspace, Frank Sullivan in Frequency, and Frank Whitaker in Far from Heaven. Recently, Quaid voiced Jaeger Clade in the Disney film Strange World, played Doug White in On a Wing and a Prayer, and took on the role of Frank Mitchell in The Long Game. Quaid has a number of upcoming projects, including Reagan, The Hill, and The Substance.
CCH Pounder as Savitri Mahabir
CCH Pounder joins the Full Circle cast as Savitri Mahabir, a powerful figure in the Guyanese crime world. Mahabir believes that her family is cursed — and she’s right. Clarence agrees to lift the curse off of her family, but in exchange for a life: she must kidnap and kill Jared, the grandson of Jeff McCusker, to avenge the death of Clarence’s own grandson. Mahabir agrees and sets her plan in motion, but her crew end up taking Nicky on accident. She is eventually caught by Harmony in the end. Guyanese-born American actress CCH Pounder’s first role was Nurse Blake in the 1979 musical All that Jazz.
She’s gone on to appear in countless television and movie roles but is best known for playing Mo’at in Avatar, Bertha in RoboCop 3, Dorthea in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, and Claudette Wyms in The Sheild. Pounder has done extensive work in the Batman video game franchise, often voicing Amanda Waller in games like Arkham Underworld, Assault on Arkham, and Arkham Origins. She recently reprised the role of Mo’at for Avatar: The Way of Water and had a brief stint on The Good Fight as Vinetta Clark. She will continue to play a part in the Avatar franchise and also has upcoming roles in Rustin and Anasi Boys.
Jharrel Jerome as Aked
Jharrel Jerome’s Full Circle cast character is Aked, Savitri’s nephew, who works with her in a bid to kidnap Sam and Derek’s son. Aked takes Xavier, Louis, Natalia, and Keesen on his kidnapping mission, but takes Nicky on accident because Nicky has been stealing Jared’s possessions (including clothes) and was wearing his hoodie when the two met. After Louis and Natalia try to get out of the operation, Aked tracks them down but is killed by Louis. Bronx-native Jharrel Jerome got his big break after starring as young Kevin in Moonlight.
Jerome is somewhat of a newcomer to the industry, getting his start with the short films Her Coloring Book and Wheels. He’s had roles in numerous films like playing Osvaldo Cruz in Monster, Omari in First Match, and Maxxie in Selah and the Spades. Jerome played Korey Wise in the miniseries When They See Us and Jerome Robinson in the show Mr. Mercedes. He also voiced Miles G. Morales in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and played Cootie in I’m a Virgo. Jerome will soon headline Unstoppable as Anthony Robles and reprise the role of Miles for Spider-Man: Beyond the Spider-Verse.
Full Circle Supporting Cast & Characters
Phaldut Sharma as Garmen – Garmen is Mahabir’s faithful lieutenant. He tries his hardest to stop Louis and Natalia from fleeing to Guyana in the end, but is killed by Xavier. Phaldut Sharma is best known for his roles in EastEnders, Children of Men, The Wedding Guest, and The Personal History of David Copperfield.
Jim Gaffigan as Manny Broward – Manny Boward is also a US Postal fraud inspector and Mel Harmony’s boss in the Full Circle cast. Broward is wary of Harmony’s antics and is sadly killed by Garmen. Comedian Jim Gaffigan is best known for his roles in The Jim Gaffigan Show, Hot Pursuit, The Ellen Show, 13 Going on 30, Super Troopers, and American Dreamer.
Ethan Stoddard as Jared – Jared is Sam and Derek’s son in the Full Circle cast who was the intended kidnapping victim. He meets up with Nicky after months of Nicky stealing his possessions. Before his role in Full Circle, Ethan Stoddard appeared in an episode of Mysteries at the Museum.
Gerald Jones as Louis – Louis travels from Guyana to work with Aked, but quickly finds that he’s not cut out for a life of crime and begins feeding information to Harmony. Luckily, he and Natalia escape to Guyana in the end. Gerald Jones is best known for his roles in Vampires vs. the Bronx and the Disney+ movie Chang Can Dunk.
Sheyi Cole as Xavier – Xavier also works with Aked and Mrs. Mahabir in the kidnapping plot. Xavier turns on the Mahabir’s gang in the end, helping Natalia and Louis escape, but ultimately decides to stay behind. Sheyi Cole is best known for his roles in Boxing Day, Small Axe, and a guest appearance on Atlanta.
Adia as Natalia – Natalia is Aked’s ex-girlfriend in the Full Circle cast, assisting him in kidnapping Nicky on accident. Natalia and Louis both find that Mahabir’s tactics are too extreme and make a break for it. Adia is best known for the Netflix series The Midnight Club, which was canceled after one season.
Ted Sod as Clarence – Clarence of the Full Circle cast refused to leave his home during the McClusky/Mahabir condo scheme, and his grandson was killed in retaliation. He puts a curse on the Mahabir family, and is asked by Savitri to lift it, so he comes up with the plan to kidnap Jared. Sod has made numerous television appearances in programs like Blue Bloods, Law & Order: SVU, and That Damn Michael Che.
Lucian Zanes as Nicky – Nicky is a boy Jared meets online before he is kidnapped. It turns out that Nicky is also Derek’s illegitimate son. Luckily, he’s one of the Full Circle cast members who survive. Full Circle is Lucian Zanes’ first major role in a TV series.