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You may not have thought you needed yetanotherNetflix show to binge, butMaidhas a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a compelling true-life storybased on a memoirand a cast you’ve definitely seen before.
A day afterMaidpremiered on Oct. 1, 2021, MacDowellraved on Instagramabout the experience of acting with Qualley. “Working alongside my daughter @margaretqualley was an extraordinary honor, and an experience I will cherish forever,” she wrote. In another Instagram post,MacDowell added, “Thank you to my daughter Margaret for giving me this space and opportunity as a scene partner.”
Their performance together drew raves from critics like Inkoo Kang, whowrote for theWashington Post: “Qualley and MacDowell are each other’s best scene partners, with the younger actor anchoring the production with emotional realism and the screen veteran arguably doing the most impressive work of her career, flitting through thoughts and moods as quickly as the pages of a book.”
They are just two of the talented cast members of the drama, which is told from Alex’s unfiltered point of view.Maidalso dives deep into topics like substance abuse, domestic violence and class issues as Alex struggles to make enough money to get herself and her daughter out of their precarious living situations.
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Keep reading to meet the star-studded cast ofMaidand find out where you’ve seen them in the past.
Margaret Qualley as Alex
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Qualley plays Alex, a young, single mother whose determination to make a better life for her 2-year-old daughter, Maddy, is unmatched. She does what she can to survive after fleeing her abusive husband, taking low-paying jobs as a maid and staying in shelters as she struggles to earn enough to make a home for her and Maddy.
The actress' previous credits includeThe Leftovers,The Nice Guys(2016),Death Note(2017), andOnce Upon a Time… in Hollywood(2019). She’s also been a trained ballerina since childhood and attended London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts to pursue her acting career.
Qualley has received multipleEmmynominations, including outstanding supporting actress in a limited series or movie forFosse/Verdonand outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie forMaid. She also earned aGolden Globenomination for best actress – limited series, anthology series or television motion picture for her role onMaid.
Andie MacDowellas Paula
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MacDowell is not only Qualley’s mother in real life but also plays Alex’s mother, Paula, on-screen. Though Paula cares about her daughter, she suffers from rapid mood swings (which Alex believes is undiagnosed bipolar disorder) that make her unreliable.
Paula is invested in her art and in a relationship with a man, Basil, who demonstrates hostile behavior toward Alex.
The actress has worked for decades in such iconic films asSex, Lies, and Videotape(1989),Green Card(1990),Groundhog Day(1993),Four Weddings and a Funeral(1994) andMultiplicity(1996). Before working as an actress, she started as a model in the 1970s andhas been a L’Oréal spokeswomansince the mid-’80s.
Nick RobinsonasSean
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Nick Robinsonplays Alex’s abusive ex-boyfriend, Sean, who was sweet and romantic initially but experiences an alcohol problem and becomes a violent person from whom she runs away with their daughter. As a result, Sean attempts to sue her for custody of Maddy. Though he makes Alex’s life hell, the show explores the difficult path of substance use disorder and other unresolved issues he faces.
Though Robinson is widely known for playing the lead role inLove, Simon(2018), he’s also received credits inJurassic World(2015);Everything, Everything(2017) andA Teacher(2020).
Anika Noni Roseas Regina
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Anika Noni Roseplays Regina, Alex’s first client as a maid. Regina’s snooty, hard-to-please persona makes it challenging for anyone to meet her demands, but she warms to Alex and counsels her on some of her biggest challenges.
In addition, Rose has won multiple awards, including a Tony Award for best featured actress in a musical for her role in the 2004 original Broadway production ofCaroline, or Change.
Billy Burkeas Hank
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Billy Burke plays Alex’s distant father, Hank. Alex doesn’t expect much of him, especially since he left her and her mother to start a new life and family of his own.
Raymond Ablackas Nate
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Raymond Ablackplays Nate, an old friend who returns to Alex’s life during her moments of need to help bail her out. However, he previously had a romantic interest in her, which tests their relationship as she tries to get back on her feet.
The Canadian actor-comedian is no stranger to playing “nice guy” roles. Netflix fans may recognize him fromGinny & Georgia, where he plays Joe, the owner of Blue Farm Café. Other notable television projects he’s appeared on includeOrphan Black,Teenagers,NarcosandNurses. He also had a recurring role on the teen drama franchiseDegrassias Sav Bhandari.
Tracy Vilar as Yolanda
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Tracy Vilar portrays the no-nonsense Yolanda, the owner of Value Maids, a cleaning company that hires Alex. As someone who’s no stranger to adversity and the harsh realities of life and the business world, Yolanda comes off as strict and demanding and suffers no fouls.
Christie Burke as Tania
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Christie Burke plays Tania, a friend of Alex and Sean. Despite knowing Alex for as long as she has, Tania’s unyielding loyalty to Sean threatens the fabric of her friendship with Alex.
The Canadian actress is best known for portraying Renesmee Cullen in parts one and two ofThe Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. Some of her other movie credits includeA Single Shot(2013),Love Everlasting(2016) andStill/Born(2017).
Aimee Carrero as Danielle
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Aimee Carrero portrays Danielle, a survivor of domestic abuse who eventually befriends Alex at a women’s shelter. Danielle becomes a rock for Alex, though the fate of Danielle’s narrative onMaidremains unknown.
The Dominican actress is best known for her voice acting credits, which include Princess Elena on Disney Channel’sElena of Avalorand Adora/She-Ra on Netflix’sShe-Ra and the Princesses of Power. Carrero has also starred in various movies, includingAlvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel(2009),The Last Witch Hunter(2015),The Menu(2022) andSpirited(2022).
source: people.com
