Meet the Cast and Characters of Netflix's ‘Wayward’
Here's the who's who in the town of Tall Pines.
- Guess which Suits star plays a high school principal?
- Award-winning actress Toni Collette gives another brilliantly harrowing performance.
- Comedian Mae Martin shows a whole different side to their entertainment chops in this psychological thriller.
Welcome to Tall Pines—a small Vermont town that seems like an idyllic escape from busy city life. However, underneath this peaceful and picturesque façade lurks dark secrets. Netflix's new limited series, Wayward, explores the sinister "troubled teen" industry and the toxic nature of youth treatment centers. In the show, mysterious disappearances and incidents involving teens have been happening in town, with all signs pointing to Tall Pines Academy.
Comedian Mae Martin, who has their own Netflix comedy special, created, executive produced, and stars in this show that draws from their own experience as a "wayward" teen. Starring alongside them is a whole roster of great actors — some of whom you may recognize from other popular series on Netflix and otherwise.
Here is your guide to the cast and characters of Wayward.
Mae Martin as Alex Dempsey
Alex Dempsey moves to his pregnant wife's hometown of Tall Pines, in the hopes of leading a better life with his new family. He does his best to fit in and becomes a law enforcement officer in the town. However, he finds himself in the middle of a case that is the furthest thing from "normal."
Mae Martin is a Canadian comedian who has their own Netflix comedy special called SAP, and has also starred in critically-acclaimed queer romcom series Feel Good. They also make an appearance in John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's in LA.
Instagram: @hooraymae
Sarah Gadon as Laura Redman
Laura is Alex's rock. She is intelligent, empathetic, kind, and has a warmth about her that could make anyone feel comfortable. Still, it's clear that there are things from her past that she chooses to lock away deep inside her subconscious. And though she loves her husband very much, even he struggles to unlock those secrets.
Sarah Gadon is a Canadian actress who you might recognize from shows like Alias Grace, Vampires Vs. The Bronx, Dracula Untold, and an episode of the original Are You Afraid of the Dark? series. She's also starred in movies such as North of Normal and Black Bear.
Instagram: @sarahgadon
Toni Collette as Evelyn Wade
Evelyn is the founder and head of Tall Pines Academy. She's also very involved with the lives of her students, as well as matters within the town of Tall Pines. Parents feel confident in putting their children in her care, as she exudes a maternal energy and presents herself to have a warm disposition. But underneath these appearances she keeps up, she is actually a darkness and ruthlessness about her.
Toni Collette is an award-winning Australian actress known for her iconic roles in films such as The Sixth Sense, Muriel's Wedding, Hereditary, and Little Miss Sunshine. She's also played lead roles in Netflix limited series Unbelievable and Pieces of Her.
Instagram: @toni_collette_official
Alyvia Alyn Lind as Leila
Leila is a rebel with a punk attitude, who is very well-versed in sarcasm. She is confident in herself and is willing to go to great lengths for her best friend Abbie. This is exactly what gets her in trouble and lands her at Tall Pines Academy. While there, she is forced to confront the things that have wounded her in the past.
Alyvia Alyn Lind is an American actress most known for her role as Faith Newman on CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. You might also recognize her from 2014 movie Blended, or her role as a young Dolly Parton in the NBC movie Dolly Parton's Coat of Many Colors.
Instagram: @aliviaalind
Sydney Topliffe as Abbie
Abbie is Leila's fiercely loyal best friend. She's less of a punk and more of a laidback hippie, taking cues on her beliefs and style from Janis Joplin. But when push comes to shove, Abbie reveals a fiery power hidden underneath her chill exterior.
Sydney Topliffe has previously starred in Hulu show Davey & Jonesie’s Locker, as well as the movie Doin' It with Lilly Singh.
Instagram: @syd_topliffe
Patrick J. Adams as Wyatt Turner
Mr. Turner is a former resident of Tall Pines who becomes a principal at Leila and Abbie's Canadian high school. He plays a big role in convincing the two best friends' parents to send them to Tall Pines Academy in Vermont. Turner might seem like a well-intentioned adult, but like everything else that comes from Tall Pines, everything is not as it seems. He hides a bone-chilling connection to the old town.
Patrick J. Adams is most popularly known for playing Mike Ross in Suits. He's also starred in series Orphan Black, Disney+ movie The Right Stuff, and has performed in several on-stage theater productions including Broadway's recent revival of Take Me Out.
Instagram: @patrickjadams
Tattiawna Jones as Rabbit
Rabbit is basically Evelyn's righthand person. As a top member of the Tall Pines Academy staff and former student, she's in charge of keeping the girls in line, and revels in her power.
Tattiawna Jones is a Canadian actress who's starred in hit science-fiction series The 100, as well as other shows including The Handmaid's Tale, The Bold Type, and Apple TV+ series Murderbot. She's also starred in Netflix's Lost in Space.
Instagram: @tattiawna
Joshua Close as Duck
Duck is another one of Eveylyn's loyal disciples and Rabbit's male counterpart for the boys enrolled at Tall Pines Academy. He takes his job very seriously.
Joshua Close is a Canadian television and film actor. Aside from Wayward, he's also appeared in shows including Animal Kingdom and The Blacklist.
Instagram: @jclosefaction
Brandon Jay McLaren as Dwayne Andrews
Andrews is Dempsey's partner on the force. He's hard-working and dedicated to serving the town of Tall Pines. Alex thinks his partner is dependable, but when it comes to this case on Tall Pines Academy, he can't be too sure.
Brandon Jay McLaren is Canadian actor who you might recognize from shows including Power Rangers S.P.D., The Rookie, and Graceland, as well as the Netflix series Firefly Lane. He's also starred alongside Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum in romcom She's the Man.
Instagram: @brandonjaymclaren
Patrick Gallagher as Chief Bartell
Chief Bartell is head of the Tall Pines Police Department and, therefore, Andrews and Dempsey's boss. He might seem to be working for the town's best interests, but he's actually right in the palm of Evelyn's hand.
If you think Patrick Gallagher seems familiar, that's because you might have seen him in Glee as Coach Ken Tenaka and as Attila the Hun in The Night at the Museum.
Instagram: @iampatrickgallagher
Gage Munroe as Riley
Riley is the first teen we meet from the Tall Pines Academy and the first clue Alex gets about the sinister things that go on at the institution. He tries to escape to reveal the true nature of the school.
Gage Munroe is a Canadian actor who's played roles in the Bob Odenkirk-led action movies Nobody and Nobody 2, as well as shows including Murdoch Mysteries. He's also done voice acting for Hotel Transylvania: The Series and Paw Patrol.
Instagram: @munroe99
Isolde Ardies as Stacey
Stacey is Abbie's roommate at Tall Pines Academy. She truly believes in the Academy's teachings and is a devoted student to Evelyn. She's in a position of power and lords it over her enemies at the school.
Isolde Ardies is an actress whose work previous includes appearances in TV shows including Murdoch Mysteries and Ruby and the Well, as well as forthcoming show The Testaments.
Instagram: @isoldeardies
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