Meet the Dynamic Cast of Lessons In Chemistry: A Comprehensive Character Guide

Summary

Apple TV+'s new series Lessons in Chemistry, based on Bonnie Garmus's novel, features an impressive cast led by Brie Larson, who plays the indomitable chemist Elizabeth Zott.

In Lessons in Chemistry, Lewis Pullman portrays Calvin Evans, Aja Naomi King portrays Harriet Sloane, and Kevin Sussman takes on the role of Walter Pine. Each of these talented actors brings a unique depth to their characters and the dynamic relationships they share with Zott.

Additionally, the series introduces Derek Cecil as Dr. Robert Donatti, Rainn Wilson as Phil Lebensmal, Stephanie Koenig as Fran Frask, and Patrick Walker as Reverend Wakely. These additions add intricacy and tension to the overall story.

Content Fragment

Apple TV+'s latest drama miniseries, Lessons in Chemistry, brings a fascinating ensemble of characters from page to screen, featuring an impressive cast. Based on Bonnie Garmus's highly acclaimed debut novel of the same name, Lessons in Chemistry was ordered as a series by Apple TV+ well before the book's publication. The trailer for Lessons in Chemistry has only intensified the excitement, especially due to the involvement of the talented Brie Larson, who not only leads the cast but also produces the miniseries.

Lessons in Chemistry is just one of the many Apple TV+ series that has attracted A-list talent. Joining other popular shows on the platform such as The Morning Show (featuring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon) and Hijack (starring Idris Elba), this rise in original streaming content has enticed film actors to venture into or return to television. The main character in Lessons in Chemistry is captivatingly unique, and the series boasts a supporting cast of well-developed personalities portrayed by an exciting ensemble of actors.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

Brie Larson As Elizabeth Zott

Brie Larson is making her long-awaited return to television with her first major role in 12 years. After focusing on blockbuster films, Larson is now taking on the lead role of Elizabeth Zott, also known as Zott, in the upcoming series Lessons In Chemistry. In addition to acting, Larson is also serving as an executive producer for the show.

Zott is a brilliant chemist who unexpectedly finds herself as the host of the popular cooking show Supper at Six in the early 1960s. Despite facing challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field, Zott uses her cooking show as a platform to become a significant fictional figure in the second wave of feminism. Her story is filled with adversity and she is determined to break barriers and make her mark.

Lewis Pullman As Calvin Evans

From her troubled teenage character in Diablo Cody's The United States of Tara to her breakthrough role in Short Term 12 and her Academy Award-winning performance in Room, Larson has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of cinema. Her portrayal of Captain Marvel in the MCU and her recent addition to the Fast & Furious franchise have further cemented her status. Apart from her film successes, Larson is also set to return to television, reprising her beloved role as Envy Adams in the upcoming animated series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. Adding to her diverse repertoire, Larson is also starring in Lessons in Chemistry.

Calvin Evans, played by Lewis Pullman, is a renowned chemist in Lessons in Chemistry. At Hastings Research Institute, he crosses paths with Zott and begins a romantic journey with her. Initially, their relationship is filled with conflict due to Evans' unintentional sexism and their shared arrogance. However, as time passes, they both inspire each other to explore life beyond the confines of the laboratory. While Evans has good intentions, his actions sometimes fall short. Nevertheless, he strives to learn from Zott and impart his own knowledge to her.

Pullman's acting career has seen him in a number of blockbuster films, such as Battle of the Sexes, Bad Times at the El Royale, and Top Gun: Maverick, where he played supporting roles alongside renowned stars. Notably, Pullman is set to take on a leading role in the highly anticipated film adaptation of Stephen King's Salem’s Lot. While Lessons in Chemistry, a captivating miniseries, is expected to conclude after its first season, Pullman will make his return to the silver screen in the second season of Outer Range, which is slated to premiere on Apple Prime Video in 2024.

Aja Naomi King As Harriet Sloane

Harriet, portrayed by 38-year-old Black actress Aja Naomi King in the television series Lessons in Chemistry, is the character who undergoes the most significant transformation from book to screen. Unlike the novel, where Mrs. Sloane is depicted as a "large gray-haired woman" in her 55s, Harriet's younger age and race shift alters her relationship with Zott, becoming women from different racial backgrounds in the 1950s/60s. She evolves into a friend, confidant, and even a mother figure for Zott.

King’s most iconic television role to date has been as Michaela Pratt, one of the esteemed Keating 5 in the gripping series How To Get Away With Murder. Her exceptional performance earned her a nomination for the prestigious NAACP Image Award. In addition to this, King showcased her tremendous acting skills in the 2016 film The Birth of a Nation, where she portrayed Cherry Turner, the devoted wife of Nat Turner, a renowned leader of a slave rebellion. Given her previous experience in period pieces, it will undoubtedly be intriguing to witness King's portrayal of Harriet in the upcoming series, Lessons in Chemistry.

Kevin Sussman As Walter Pine

In Lessons in Chemistry, Kevin Sussman's character, Walter Pine, is not introduced until later on, along with other supporting characters. However, his role in the series is crucial. Walter is an employee at a local television studio who offers Zott the opportunity to host Supper at Six. Her personality leaves him impressed, scared, and surprised. Walter, a mild-mannered and kind-hearted man, desires a better life for himself and his daughter but lacks the knowledge of how to achieve it. Elizabeth's arrival inspires and empowers him to make positive changes.

Derek Cecil As Dr. Robert Donatti

: Walter's character in The Big Bang Theory, played by Sussman, is the perfect fit given his most notable television role. Stuart, the character Sussman portrays, is portrayed as kind-hearted and helpful, but he works tirelessly for very little reward, which negatively impacts his social life and mental well-being. Notably, Sussman also played a different character named Walter in the first season of Ugly Betty, fully embracing his typecast as a nerdy individual. More recently, Sussman had a recurring role in The Dropout, a highly acclaimed miniseries on Hulu, where he portrayed a Theranos lab director who played a crucial role in exposing the company's fraudulent practices.

Head of the Chemistry department at Hastings Research Institute, Dr. Robert Donatti oversees Zott and Evans in their roles. Unfortunately, he exhibits highly sexist behavior, consistently demeaning Zott and having a strained relationship with Evans, who is esteemed as the star chemist of the Institute. The portrayal of this character will be taken on by Derek Cecil, renowned for his participation in House of Cards, a series that garnered him a nomination for a Screen Actors Guild Award in an ensemble category. 2023 is shaping up to be a significant year for the actor, with his recent portrayal of Senator Henshaw in the final season of Jack Ryan and his upcoming role in Lessons in Chemistry.

Rainn Wilson As Phil Lebensmal

Rainn Wilson is best known for his portrayal of the beloved comedic anti-hero Dwight Schrute in the popular television series The Office. However, in Lessons in Chemistry, there is no trace of heroism in the character of Phil Lebensmal. Phil serves as both an executive producer and the station manager at KCTV, the broadcasting channel for Supper at Six. Unfortunately, Phil manages to embody an even worse version of Donatti when it comes to his treatment of Elizabeth. Intimidated and enraged by Zott's brilliance and defiance, Phil holds the belief that women should only be seen as objects of desire and submit to their male counterparts. While Wilson has portrayed morally ambiguous characters in the past, he has typically maintained a likable demeanor onscreen. Thus, Phil's character in Lessons in Chemistry represents a departure from Wilson's most iconic roles.

Stephanie Koenig As Fran Frask

In Lessons in Chemistry, Fran Frask, the head secretary of the Institute and organizer of the Little Miss Hastings pageant, serves as a stark contrast to Elizabeth. Her presence challenges Zott to confront her own internalized misogyny, as she tends to belittle Fran and women like her who focus on their physical appearance rather than their intellect. However, Zott fails to recognize the shared experiences and similarities they have. Stephanie Koenig portrays Fran in Lessons in Chemistry, known for her recurring roles in The Flight Attendant and The Offer.

Patrick Walker As Reverend Wakely

Alice Halsey As Madeline “Mad” Zott

Reverend Wakely is introduced in the later episodes of Lessons in Chemistry. Played by Patrick Walker, he portrays a pen pal from Calvin's college days before the series commenced. Throughout the present storyline, he emerges as a significant guiding figure in the lives of several characters in both timelines. Notably, Walker's involvement in this Apple TV+ original series follows his appearances in Gaslit and The Last Days of Ptolemy Grey, both released on the platform in 2022.

Alice Halsey, a child actress, brilliantly portrays the lovable character of Madeline "Mad" Zott in Lessons in Chemistry. As the only child of Calvin and Elizabeth, Mad has inherited their extraordinary intelligence, making her remarkably mature for her age. Similar to her eccentric parents, Mad's uniqueness captivates viewers, and Halsey's impressive acting debut is truly commendable. The on-screen chemistry between Mad and her mother reflects the dynamic relationship showcased by Larson and Jacob Tremblay in the renowned film Room. Tremblay's collaboration with Larson launched him into stardom, securing significant roles in Wonder, Luca, and the upcoming film The Little Mermaid (2023), among others. Halsey's talent suggests she has the potential to follow a similar path.

Lessons In Chemistry’s Supporting Cast & Characters

Thomas Mann portrays the character of Dr. Boryweitz, a rare individual at the Hastings Research Institute who holds genuine admiration for Elizabeth and her work. Mann's acting career has spanned various notable roles, beginning with his film debut in Project X and extending to movies such as Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and Kong: Skull Island, where he shared the screen with Larson for the first time.

Playing the role of Wilson in the book Lessons in Chemistry, Beau Bridges assumes a character who does not make frequent appearances but holds a significant role behind the scenes as one of the Institute's primary benefactors. Bridges, a legendary actor, has achieved the outstanding feat of winning the Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Special not once, but twice. With his portrayal of Wilson, he has the potential to secure his third Emmy Award in this category.

Amanda Pine, portrayed by Shoo Shoo Parsells, is the daughter of Walter Pine and a close classmate and friend of Mad Zott. It is through Amanda that Elizabeth gets introduced to Walter and receives the opportunity to host Supper at Six. While Shoo Shoo Parsells has previously held small television roles, Lessons in Chemistry marks her most significant one to date.