By now, you have either started or plan to start Lisey’s Story, the new Apple TV+ limited series based Stephen King’s 2006 psychological horror novel of the same name. With the first two chapters of the eight-episode series premiering on Friday, June 4, now is the perfect time to go back and see where all you’ve seen the Lisey’s Story cast, including Julianne Moore, Clive Owen, Dane DeHaan, and Joan Allen before they appeared in this tense and other-wordly television adaptation from the mind of one of the world’s best and most prolific living authors.
But outside of the Apple TV+'s main stars, you may be asking yourself where you have seen the Lisey's Story cast before. Well, fear not, as we have put together a quick rundown of the show's biggest stars, where they fit into the story, and some of the movies, television shows, and stage productions that they have called home over the years.
Julianne Moore (Lisey Landon)
Julianne Moore plays the titular heroine on Lisey’s Story, a woman that is not only still dealing with the death of her husband but also a dangerous stalker obsessed with her late husband’s body of work. Outside of leading the latest in a long line of Stephen King adaptations, Moore has given one remarkable performance after another in film and on television, earning an Academy Award and Golden Globe for her role in 2015’s Still Alice, as well as two additional Golden Globes for Game Change and Short Cuts. Moore has also appeared in everything from Boogie Nights to The Big Lebowski and The Kids Are All Right to Children of Men, which also featured her Lisey’s Story co-star Clive Owen.
Clive Owen (Scott Landon)
Clive Owen plays Scott Landon, a prolific author and husband of Lisey’s Story’s heroine who has been dead for two years prior to the start of the Apple TV+ limited series. In addition to the aforementioned Children of Men, which remains just as impactful today as it did upon its release 15 years ago, Owen has received an Academy Award nomination for Closer, lead films like Sin City and Inside Man, and had his fair share of hits on the television side of things with celebrated performances in everything from Hemingway & Gellhorn to The Knick, which earned him nominations for a Primetime Emmy and a Golden Globe, respectively.
Joan Allen (Amanda Debusher)
Portraying Amanda Debusher, Lisey’s older and sometimes catatonic sister whose episodes transport her to another world, is Joan Allen. Prior to landing one of the main roles on Lisey’s Story, Allen made a name for herself on Broadway, winning a Tony Award in 1988 for her debut in Burn This. She has also earned three Academy Award nominations over the years including a nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Nixon and The Crucible and a Best Actress nomination for The Contender. Other memorable movies from Allen include Pleasantville, The Notebook, and Room. Allen also received multiple nominations for her portrayal of iconic American artist Georgia O’Keeffe in the 2009 Lifetime movie Georgia O’Keeffe.
Dane DeHaan (Jim Dooley)
Dane DeHaan lends his talents to Lisey’s Story, bringing the novel’s antagonistic Jim Dooley, to life in a frightening display of obsession. Prior to taking on the role of a man who will do anything to get Lisey’s late husband’s unpublished work out of the shadows, the talented DeHaan appeared in everything from The Amazing Spider-Man 2 to Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets. He also gave memorable performances in The Place Beyond the Pines, Kill Your Darlings, and Lawless, to name only a few.
Jennifer Jason Leigh (Darla)
Jennifer Jason Leigh appears throughout Lisey’s Story as Darla, the middle child in Lisey’s family who helps her two sisters with their other-worldly conditions. Since breaking through with Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Leigh has led a remarkable career in film, television, and various stage productions over the course of the past 40 years. With Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for her turn as Daisy Domergue in The Hateful Eight, another Golden Globe nod for Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, and various other decorated performances, Leigh as cemented her place on the list of greatest living actresses. And this isn’t even the first time Leigh has appeared in a Stephen King adaptation, having had a pivotal role in 1995’s Dolores Claiborne.
Ron Cephas Jones (Professor Roger Dashmiel)
Ron Cephas Jones appears in Lisey’s Story, taking on the role of Roger Dashmiel, a professor at Scott Landon’s alma mater who wants to see the late author’s unpublished work see the light of day. Fans of This Is Us will immediately recognize Jones as William “Shakespeare” Hill, a role which has earned the actor two Primetime Emmys for his performance on the NBC drama series. Jones’ other television work includes Luke Cage and Mr. Robot, among others. Jones has also shown up in movies like He Got Game, Venom, and Dolemite Is My Name.
Sung Kang (Officer Dan Boeckman)
Taking on the role of Officer Dan Boeckman, the police officer assigned to watching over the Landon house in Lisey’s Story is star of the Fast and Furious franchise Sung Kang. Mostly known for his portrayal of Han Lue (and the Justice for Han movement) in five entries in the multi-billion-dollar franchise starting with The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Kang has shown up in everything from Live Free or Die Hard to We Can Be Heroes with a ton of other movies in between. Over on the television side of things, Kang has had main roles on shows like Power and Gang Related, and even appeared on an episode of Monk like so many up-and-coming actors before him.
Remember, this is just the main actors in the Lisey’s Story cast, as the limited series written by Stephen King and directed by Pablo Larraín features a large supporting cast who will all play a role in some shape or form. You can watch Lisey’s Story every Friday on Apple TV+ through mid-July, but if you want to know what else is coming out this summer, check out CinemaBlend’s 2021 TV schedule.
