Knives Out Cast 2025: Meet the Stars of ‘Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery’

Introduction: A Star-Studded Return to Mystery

The Knives Out franchise has become synonymous with brilliant ensemble casts, and the latest installment, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, is no exception. Released in select theatres on 26 November 2025 and streaming on Netflix from 12 December, this third chapter brings together an impressive roster of Hollywood talent. Daniel Craig reprises his role as master detective Benoit Blanc, joined by an ensemble cast including Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Josh Brolin, Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, Andrew Scott, Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, and Thomas Haden Church. For fans of murder mysteries and character-driven storytelling, understanding the cast’s composition reveals much about why this franchise continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Daniel Craig Returns as Benoit Blanc

No Knives Out film is complete without Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc, the Southern gentleman detective whose eccentricity and razor-sharp intellect have anchored the franchise, and in Wake Up Dead Man, Blanc faces a case with a noticeably darker tone and religious undertones. The beloved sleuth investigates a mysterious death at a rural New York Catholic parish, marking his most dangerous case yet. Craig’s continued commitment to the role demonstrates the character’s enduring appeal and the actor’s investment in Rian Johnson’s vision.

Josh O’Connor: The Breakout Performance

The story centres on a new young priest named Jud, played by Josh O’Connor, who has recently been assigned to assist the longtime fire-and-brimstone traditionalist Monsignor Wicks (Josh Brolin) and devout church secretary Martha (Glenn Close). Critics have singled out O’Connor’s performance as a highlight, describing it as both haunting and magnetic. The British actor, known for his Emmy and Golden Globe-winning portrayal of Prince Charles in The Crown, brings emotional depth to this complex role, partnering with Blanc to unravel the parish’s dark secrets.

An Ensemble of Hollywood Heavyweights

Johnson has described his casting approach as akin to “throwing a dinner party,” noting “We’ve been very lucky with each of these movies to have gathered some of my favourite actors on the planet, and that’s absolutely the case here”. The supporting cast features Glenn Close as the secretive church lady Martha Delacroix, Josh Brolin as the traditionalist Monsignor Wicks, and Mila Kunis as local police chief Geraldine Scott. Jeremy Renner’s role as town doctor Nat Sharp marks his first major feature film production since his near-fatal snowplow accident in January 2023, adding particular significance to his participation. Andrew Scott portrays a bestselling author, whilst Kerry Washington, Cailee Spaeny, and Daryl McCormack round out this exceptional ensemble.

Critical Reception and Future Prospects

On Rotten Tomatoes, 93% of 196 critics’ reviews are positive, with the consensus reading: “Giving Benoit Blanc a worthy mystery with its genuinely soulful fixation on faith and a scene-stealing Josh O’Connor performance, Wake Up Dead Man is another Knives Out puzzle that comes together splendidly”. On 18 November 2025, it was announced that Rian Johnson and Daniel Craig were “starting to formulate ideas” for a potential fourth Knives Out movie. For viewers, the cast of Wake Up Dead Man represents more than just star power—it’s a masterclass in ensemble filmmaking, where each actor contributes to a larger, intricately woven narrative that keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal.