There has been plenty of hype aroundthe upcoming miniseriesIrma Vep, a remake of a 1996 film starringMaggie Chungand directed byOlivier Assayas, who returns to helm this current series. Known for its meta-commentary on French cinema and Chung’s iconic full black getup as the titular character, the originalIrma Vephas come to be highly considered in recent years, including an addition to the coveted Criterion Collection midway through last year, which has paved the way for HBO to green light this eight-episode limited series.
It follows a disaffected movie star, played byAlicia Vikander, who is troubled by the direction of her career and love life. She has traveled to France to appear as leather-clad criminal Irma Vep in a remake of a silent-era classic,Les Vampires, but as the production starts to falter and her personal issues come to the forefront, her reality and that of the film begin to intertwine, as she begins to find herself intertwined in a real-life crime thriller.
But who can we expect to see? And who will be playing them? Read on to be introduced to the cast and characters ofIrma Vep.
Related:‘Irma Vep’ Poster Peels Away Alicia Vikander’s Layers of Life and Art
Alicia Vikander as Mira Harberg
Mira is the lead character in both the series and the “film-within-the-show”, Les Vampires. She is an American actress who has taken a role in a French production with an aim to take her career in a different direction. She is also keen to leave behind a recent tabloid scandal that has plagued her.
Vikander is a highly regarded award-winning Swedish actress, with an Academy Award and multiple Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations under her belt. Since her feature film debut inPure, Vikander has gone from strength to strength, with the highlight of her career being an Oscar-winning turn in 2015’sThe Danish Girlas painter Gerda Wegener, the wife ofLili Elbe, one of the first recipients of gender reassignment surgery. Other notable appearances includeEx Machina,The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,Jason Bourne,and Lara Croft inTomb Raider.
Adria Arjona as Laurie
Laurie is Mira’s ex-assistant and ex-lover, who encounters Mira again in Paris as she takes on her role in Les Vampires, which ends up reigniting their former feelings. Though things did not end well the first time with Mira, with both of them in the same city, anything could happen for Laurie.
Adria Arjonais an up-and-coming actress who has turned a series of smaller television roles into a burgeoning film career. Early roles inPerson of Interest,True Detective,andNarcoseventually gave way to supporting gigs inPacific Rim: UprisingandTriple Frontier, as well as a starring role in this year’sMorbius. She has also been confirmedto appear in the upcoming Disney+Rogue Oneprequel seriesAndor.
Carrie Brownstein as Zelda
Zelda is Mira’s agent, who suggests that she turn down the role in Les Vampires and instead take up many of the more lucrative acting roles that she has been offered. While Mira is dissatisfied with her career up until this point and is seeking greater artistic risks, it seems Zelda is happy with business as usual.
Most people may recognizeCarrie Brownsteinas one of the main players inPortlandiaalongside longtimeSaturday Night LivealumFred Armisen. However, Brownstein got her start as a musician in the mid-1990s, most prominently as lead guitarist for indie rock bandSleater-Kinney. Beyond that, her acting roles have included parts inTransparent,Carol, andCurb Your Enthusiasm, while also co-writing and starring in the 2020 mockumentaryThe Nowhere Inn.
Tom Sturridge as Eamonn
Mira’s ex-boyfriend, Eamonn, shows up in Paris as she is filming Irma Vep. He is also in town for production and is looking to possibly reconnect. Adding to Mira’s woes, this is the first time she has seen Eamonn since they broke up, and it could prove to be difficult for both of them.
Tom Sturridgeis a popular English actor with a background in film, television, and theater. Starting as a child actor, Sturridge made appearances in films such asBeing Julia,The Boat That Rocked, andVelvet Buzzsaw, he has two Tony Award nominations andwill play the titular role in the upcoming Netflix adaptation ofSandman.
Fala Chen as Cynthia Keng
A young actress from Hong Kong, Cynthia Keng is set to star alongside Mira in Irma Vep. She is hand-picked by René Vidal to play the sultry accomplice to Irma Vep’s schemes as part of her gang. However, it is unknown how the issues with production and René’s difficulties will affect her.
Much like her character,Fala Chenis an actress who has only recently had her breakthrough for western audiences. A graduate of the Juilliard School in the US, she eventually came back to Asia to work in several Hong Kong tv dramas and films, includingNo Regrets,Lives of Omission,andTurning Point, as well as a Cantonese voice actress forDespicable Me 3. She made her first Hollywood appearance in the HBO seriesThe Undoingandwent on to eventually star inShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Devon Ross as Revina
Revina is Mira’s assistant, who is obsessed with cinema. Though still currently working for Mira, she will soon be directing her first feature film. Identifying with her obsession with film, the actress who plays her,Devon Ross, describes her as “so out there.”
This is the debut acting role for Ross, who has previously carved out an extensive modeling career. Labeled by British Vogue as “the coolest model currently climbing up the ranks”, her credits include campaigns for labels such asSimone Rocha,Erdem,Valentino,andValentino Beauty. She has eyes on transferring to acting full time, though that remains to be seen - though she could be one to watch if her role inIrma Vepis well regarded.
Related:In ‘Irma Vep,’ Olivier Assayas' Legacy of Meta Storytelling Comes Full Circle
Byron Bowers as Herman
Herman is an American filmmaker who has traveled to France to promote his latest work. Due to the issues plaguing the production, Herman ends up taking over from René on the set of Les Vampires. Though he is perhaps not entirely prepared for it, his presence is expected to steady the ship.
Byron Bowersis a comedian, writer, and actor who has written and performed on a variety of television shows in the United States, includingThe Eric Andre ShowandAdam DeVine’s House Party. He has also appeared on late-night talk shows such asThe Pete Holmes ShowandJimmy Kimmel Live!, in addition to a voice role inNBA 2K18. His transition to the film has included appearances inHoney Boy, and theSteven SoderberghfilmNo Sudden Move.
Vincent Macaigne as René Vidal
René Vidal is a French director who, in a very meta twist, is directing a remake of a film he had previously directed, turning it into a series. Though he is a talented artist, he is struggling under the weight of the project, and due to budgetary issues, he may end up having to compromise on his vision.
French actor, director, and writerVincent Macaigneplays René,who has worked extensively in French theatre and cinema. After suffering two strokes at the age of 31, Macaigne went on to receive César Award nominations for directing and acting for his roles inWhat We’ll Leave BehindandThe Rendez-Vous of Déjà-Vurespectively. With an intense unconventionally handsome look, some critics have hailed him as “the nextGerard Depardieu."
