The Boys in the Boat was released in 2023 and was directed by George Clooney. Serving as his ninth movie as a director, the film once again displays his penchant for real-life, inspiring stories. While it wasn’t widely-praised by critics upon its release and wasn’t a complete blockbuster hit either, the film has been garnering a second wind after landing on streaming services.
The Boys in the Boat follows the University of Washington’s rowing team, charting their Depression-era beginnings to winning gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. As well as having Oscar-winner George Clooney at the helm, The Boys in the Boat boasts an impressive ensemble of actors, from rising stars to veteran thespians. So, here’s our breakdown of the cast, where you know them from, and what they are doing next.
Callum Turner as Joe Rantz
Callum Turner is a British actor born on February 15, 1990. His role in The Boys in the Boat is his first leading role in a big-budget movie. In the film, Turner stars as Joe Rantz, a man struggling in the Depression era whilst also remaining focused and determined to achieve success. To that, Turner brought forth a dynamic balance in an understated yet standout role. Before this role, Turner had already made himself known in critically acclaimed movies like Green Room, and popular TV series like Ripper Street and War & Peace. However, 2024 was the year that really put him on the map. After The Boys in the Boat, Turner led the cast of the mini-series, Masters of the Air. After a glaring reception from audiences and critics, Masters of the Air is rumoured to be entering a second season. Before this, Turner will star alongside Jane Levy in the war-drama, Atropia.
Joel Edgerton as Coach Al Ulbrickson
Joel Edgerton is a multi-faceted actor from New South Wales, Australia. In The Boys in the Boat, Edgerton stars as Coach Al Ulbrickson, the tough leader of the rowing team. By the time the movie was released, Edgerton had already starred in a wide array of roles, from dramas to action movies to comedies. So, in The Boys in the Boat, Edgerton delivered a rendition that felt like a culmination of his storied portfolio, playing a stern figure who can display a level of compassion when necessary.
Edgerton has worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood and has also ventured into writing and directing with his acclaimed thriller The Gift. He is most known for his roles in movies like Black Mass, the Netflix Original Bright, and Thirteen Lives. For an actor who started out in Australian TV dramas, he has come a long way, successfully transcending to worldwide fame. He is next set to star opposite William H. Macy and Kerry Condon in the drama movie, Train Dreams.
Sam Strike as Roger Morris
Sam Strike is a relatively unknown actor from Essex, England who seems highly likely shoot to fame after his role in The Boys in the Boat. In the movie, he stars as Roger Morris, one of the members of the rowing team. While his screen time is rather small, he delivers a powerful performance in every scene he is in, standing his own against a talented cast.
Although he is somewhat new to Hollywood, British audiences may recognise Strike from popular TV shows like Eastenders, and Silent Witness. However, he did cross the pond early in his career, taking on small roles in movies like Leatherface, and Monster Party, as well as featuring in an episode of the groundbreaking series, Chernobyl. After starring in The Boys in the Boat, Sam Strike remained in the United States, starring in 5 episodes of Outer Range. He is next set to star opposite RJ Mitte (Breaking Bad), and Finn Wittrock (Unbroken) in the drama film, Westhampton.
Tom Varey as Johnny White
In The Boys in the Boat, Tom Varey stars as Johnny White, a tougher member of the team, contrasting the more sensitive Joe Rantz (Callum Turner). Before starring in the movie, Varey made his mark in British television, starring in shows like Game of Thrones, No Offence, and The Village. Although his profile boosted after working under George Clooney, as of the time of writing, he has no upcoming projects in-development.
Peter Guinness as George Pocock
Peter Guinness may not be lauded as one of Hollywood’s biggest actors, however, he is a face that you will likely recognise. He is most known in British theater, however, he has starred in huge Hollywood movies like David Fincher‘s Alien 3 and Sleepy Hollow. In The Boys in the Boat, Guinness stars in a supporting role as George Pocock, a weathered but charming man who is in charge of building the team’s boats. Largely considered a character actor, this role is perhaps the biggest of his career after mostly starring in British TV shows. In 2024, he starred in the highly-acclaimed ITV series, Red Eye.
Jack Mulhern as Don Hume
Jack Mulhern first captured the attention of audiences and critics in 2021 when he starred alongside Kate Winslet in the Primetime Emmy-winning series, Mare of Easttown. In the role, Mulhern delivered an immersive rendition as a young man who is the suspect of a murder, effortlessly holding the audience in a sense of ambiguity throughout the show. In The Boys in the Boat, Mulhern went full 180, playing the inspiring and heroic Don Hume, a respected member of the rowing team. With these two juxtaposing roles, Mulhern has proven himself as a talent to watch out for. However, despite his success, he currently has no projects in-development.
Hadley Robinson as Joyce Simdars
In a male-dominated movie, Hadley Robinson shines as Joyce Simdars, a young woman who enters a romance with Rantz and champions him through his trials and tribulations on his path to success. Before this role, the young actress made waves in Hollywood after starring in the popular series, Utopia, and Amy Poehler‘s Moxie, where she took on the lead role. However, 2023 proved to her biggest year, following up The Boys in the Boat with a supporting role in one of the most talked about films of the years, Anyone But You. If you were a fan of The Boys in the Boat, here are 5 similar movies to watch next.
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