Exploring the Cast of Into the Wild Frontier

The Mix of Cast and Historians

The cast of Into the Wild Frontier is a mix of TV and movie actors as well as some historians brought in to explain the exciting and real events of the series. Into the Wild Frontier is a historical TV series that uses dramatic reenactments and documentary-style interviews to tell the story of the American West and the frontier culture that developed during the country's expansion. The series first premiered in February 2022 on INSP, an American cable channel that primarily shows Western movies and TV shows and is available to stream on FuboTV and Sling TV. The third season of the show premiered in May 2023.

Native American soldiers preparing an ambush in Into the Wild Frontier.-1

Even those Western movies that are close to real-life events tend to alter true events in service of the story. Into the Wild Frontier instead makes a point of being period-accurate with historians, professors, and a narrator. Legendary figures from American history are depicted in reenactments that often go beyond simply posing. There are stakes comparable to any historical drama, and the actors, though many unknown, are adept at portraying real-life figures while adding some interesting personal touches to make Into the Wild Frontier enjoyable for drama and history lovers.

Andrew Patrick Nelson speaking on Into the Wild Frontier.-1

The Notable Figures

Delbert Hunt narrates nearly every episode of Into the Wild Frontier. His voiceover starts at the beginning, giving insights into the upcoming characters and the setting to properly situate the story. Into the Wild Frontier jumps around from one iconic character to the next so Hunt's narration is crucial. Hunt has only done voice work in his career, also narrating the TV series and specials Bad Henry, Freedom on the Range, and The Booze, Bets and Sex That Built America. He also voices the TV characters Mr. Wolf in Monster High, Colonel Creed in Super Giant Robot Brothers, and Michael in Carol & the End of the World.

Brady Crytzer speaking to the camera in Into the Wild Frontier.-1

Andrew Patrick Nelson is one of the primary historians involved in Into the Wild Frontier, appearing in 18 episodes across the first three seasons of the show. Nelson is an expert on the history of the American West and is the Chair of the Department of Film & Media Arts at the University of Utah. He also co-hosts a podcast, How the West Was 'Cast, with Matthew Chernov. Nelson has appeared in several documentaries and reality series in a professional capacity, including Legends & Lies, Beyond Oak Island, History's Greatest Escapes with Morgan Freeman, and Kelsey Grammer's Historic Battles of America.

Danny Winn portrays William Ashley, a U.S. congressman and fur trader who changed the fur trade by creating something known as the 'rendezvous system', avoiding the need for trading posts. He went on to become a successful trapper, prospector, and surveyor. Ashley's story is one of the longer ones in Into the Wild Frontier. Winn's other television credits include Gaslit as Nixon, Your Worst Nightmare as Bruce Tinch, and Mysteries at the Museum as Sam Wilson. In film, Winn plays Seth in Tree Secrets, Johnny Behan in 30 Seconds in Hell, Happy Jim in Deadman Standing, Doyle in Shot Caller, and Paul in The Crossbreed.

Danny Winn as William Ashley looking down worried in Into the Wild Frontier.-1

One of the more featured historical figures in Into the Wild Frontier is Jim Bridger, the frontiersman, trader, and quintessential 'mountain man'. Bridger went on many fur-trapping expeditions, including one with William Ashley. Bridger is played by Jack Pearson in the series. This is a more down-to-earth role as Pearson generally appears in science fiction movies. Some of his TV movie and film roles include Joel in Ape vs. Mecha Ape, and Sven in a trilogy of disaster films: Ice Storm, 20.0 Megaquake, and Super Volcano. On television, Pearson plays Mark on Pam & Tommy, Patrick Gross on Winners & Losers, and Jonesy on As the Bell Rings.

Jack Pearson as Jim Bridger looking worried in Into the Wild Frontier.-1

Jedidiah Smith appears frequently in Into the Wild Frontier, and he's played by James Hal Hardy. Smith traveled all over the western United States and was the first American to enter California from the east. Hardy has been in several TV shows and movies, often in smaller parts, making his role in Into the Wild Frontier one of the biggest of his career. On TV, Hardy plays Richie Sambora on The Price of Fame, Mitchell Bracknell on Blood Relatives, and Nate Irvin on The Inspectors. In film, Hardy plays Dan in Summer with the Guys, Jim in Social Animals, and Stu in Tournament.

James Hal Hardy as Jedediah Smith closing his eys and thinking in Into the Wild Frontier.-1

The Supporting Cast & Characters

Brady Crytzer is one of the historians brought on to discuss the facts of America's westward expansion in Into the Wild Frontier. An author and history teacher at Robert Morris University, this is Crytzer's first appearance in a TV show or a movie.

Haydn Winston plays Tom Fitzpatrick, a fur trader who joins in on William Ashley's expedition. Winston is best known for his performances in movies like The Wall as Brett Kowalski, A Song for Imogene as Alex, and Life as Doug.

James Hal Hardy as Jedediah Smith holding a gun a staring out of his camp Into the Wild Frontier.-1

Legendary frontiersman and folk hero Daniel Boone is played by Daniel O'Reilly in Into the Wild Frontier. O'Reilly has had major roles in a few television shows, including Now That's Sketch, where he plays many characters in the sketch show, Rusty Camel as Scooter Vance, and Goliath where he appears in one episode as Fox. In movies, O'Reilly portrays Isaac in Christmas Angel, Logan Oceanak in Bootyology, Jack Ward in The Girl on the Mountain, and Kurt in Collision Earth.

James Hal Hardy as Jedediah Smith holding a gun and looking back in Into the Wild Frontier.-1

George Drouillard is an interpreter, scout, and fur trader who joins the expedition with William Ashley in Into the Wild Frontier. He's played by Daniel Jacobi. Jacobi plays Billy Horton in Damon's Revenge, Billy in Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall, and Eric Bechler in Love the Way You Lie.

James Hal Hardy as Jedediah Smith holding a gun and looking over the mountains in Into the Wild Frontier.-1

Tyler Cook plays John Colter in Into the Wild Frontier. Colter is one of the first mountain men and an avid explorer. Cook is a prolific actor whose TV credits include Wrigley Friends as Doublemint Boy, one episode of Modern Family as Ashley's husband, an episode on Documentary Now! as Lon Barr, two episodes of Shameless as Gary, two episodes of American Horror Story as a lumberjack, and one episode of Park and Recreation as Stephan. In film, Cook plays Lee Ellis in Half Brothers, and Matt Pohlkamp in Into Dangerous Territory.

James Hal Hardy as Jedediah Smith looking down in Into the Wild Frontier.-1