Throughout the span of her long and successful career, 27-year-old actress, Zoey Deutch struggled to find her mojo as a performer while exploring the kinds of roles she disliked and those she enjoyed portraying on-screen. Despite this, the young star seems to have found her feet in the industry as her latest projects have displayed. Deutch’s latest film, Not Okay, in particular, saw great success upon its release in July 2022.
The film follows the young and lonely Danni Sanders (Deutch) as she attempts to reinvent herself and gain popularity by lying about having been a victim of a devastating bomb attack in Paris. Starring alongside Deutch in the film is an array of talented actors including her The Outfit co-star Dylan O’Brien, who went viral after a video of his Not Okay look swept the internet. But who else is part of the Not Okay cast and where else have you seen these talented actors?
8 Zoey Deutch As Danni Sanders
Coming in first we have the star of the film and its unlikable female protagonist, Zoey Deutch’s Danni Sanders. While the film portrays Deutch’s character as sad and unable to progress up her own career ladder, the same cannot be said for Deutch herself. After having started acting at the age of 15 years old, Deutch has made a pretty huge name for herself as an actress throughout the years. Notable roles of the actress include Mable in The Outfit, Samantha in Before I Fall, and even her earliest roles such as Maya In Disney Channel’s iconic The Suite Life On Deck.
7 Mia Isaac As Rowan Aldren
Up next, we have the film’s breakout actress Mia Isaac. In Not Okay, Isaac stars beside Deutch as the supporting female lead and delivers a powerful portrayal of teenage activist Rowan. Despite her lack of previous on-screen credits, 2022 seemed to be a big year for Isaac as she began to make her mark as an actress in the Hulu film, Don’t Make Me Go in which she portrayed the role of Wally beside Harold & Kumar icon John Cho. While speaking of her recent on-screen breakthrough with Glamour, Isaac highlighted her feelings of gratitude for her success.
The young actress stated, “It doesn’t feel real. I think it’s good for me—it’s hard for me to sit still. It always feels good to have something to focus on or something to work on. I just feel really lucky.” Before then adding, “For a big part of my life, I was dreaming of these kinds of things and never thought they could actually come true.”
6 Dylan O’Brien As Colin
Coming in next we have the film’s heartthrob and all-around fan favorite, Dylan O’Brien. A teenage icon in his time, O’Brien was known for his role in teen drama shows and films. His most notable jobs include the iconic sarcastic lacrosse player, Stiles Stilinski in the supernatural drama Teen Wolf and the running lead Thomas in the on-screen adaptation of the Maze Runner series. His role as the douche-y Colin in Not Okay saw O’Brien not only transform into a type of character he had never played before but also undergo a physical transformation with a platinum blonde buzzcut and a number of tattoos.
While speaking to W Magazine about the huge physical transformation he underwent for the film, O’Brien stated, “I was still exactly who I was, and then I just put on this video game skin, and people were like, ‘That’s what we want you to look like’.” He added, “I thought I looked awesome! I’ve never looked so cool.”
5 Nadia Alexander As Harper
Coming in next we have South Carolina-born actress Nadia Alexander. Prior to her role in the socially aware comedy-drama, Alexander had several credits to her name. Along with a number of one-off appearances in different tv series, Alexander was also a part of a few films since her beginnings in acting back in 2009. Notable roles of the 28-year-old include Melissa Bowman in the 2017 film Blame, Nadine in the 2018 miniseries Seven Seconds, and Mina in the 2018 horror The Dark. In Not Okay, Alexander portrays the role of the perceptive Harper who is the first to be aware of Danni’s deceit.
4 Tia Dionne Hodge As Linda Aldren
One of the film’s cast members who gave an emotional and deep performance despite her limited screen time was Tia Dionne Hodge. In the film, Hodge portrayed the character of the support council leader, Linda, who we then find out to be Rowan’s mother also grieving the loss of her daughter after a shocking school shooting. Outside the powerful performance in the film, Hodge too was an already-established on-screen presence much like several of her cast members. Notable roles of the actress include Wendy Coleman in the 2021 film Steps, and Amelia Bennett in the 2009 series One Life To Live.
3 Negin Farsad As Susan
Up next, we have 44-year-old Iranian-American comedian and actress Negin Farsad. Prior to her role in Not Okay, the talented creative built up a pretty impressive comedy career where she touched on political matters of culture, feminism, and racism in her work. Not only this but Farsad also appeared in a number of films and series where she showcased her skills as an actress. Notable on-screen roles of the Connecticut-born actress include Mina Shamkhali in the 2015 film 3rd Street Blackout, and Meredith The Mind Taker in the 2021 series Birdgirl.
2 Embeth Davidtz As Judith Sanders
Coming in next we have perhaps one of the best-known actresses in the cast with South African-American actress, Embeth Davidtz. Throughout her long career, Davidtz gained recognition through several of her successful film roles. The actress’s most recognizable earlier roles include Helen Hirsch in the huge 1993 critically acclaimed feature Schindler’s List, and the iconic Miss Honey in the beloved 1996 children’s film Matilda. In later years Davidtz may have been recognized for her television roles such as Rebecca Pryce in the hugely successful Jon Hamm-led series Mad Men, and Sonia Kovitzky in 2016’s Ray Donovan. In Not Okay, Davidtz portrays the role of Judith Sanders, Danni’s mother.
1 Brennan Brown As Harold Sanders
And finally, rounding off this list of talented cast members we have 52-year-old actor Brennan Brown. Another well-established actor prior to Not Okay, Brown developed an impressive on-screen career filled with tv, film, and even video game credits since his beginnings in acting back in 1995. Notable roles of the actor include Birkheim in the 2009 film I Love You, Philip Morris, Horst in the Will Smith-led feature Focus, and Dr. Sam Abrams in the long-running hospital series Chicago Med. In Not Okay, Brown portrays the role of Harold Sanders, Danni’s father.
