Who's in Netflix’s Unbelievable cast and how do you know them? We break down the basics for the dramatic limited series about a real-life tragedy.

Last Updated: December 1, 2019

Who's in the Unbelievable cast and how do you know them? The Netflix limited series is based on ProPublica’s 2015 investigative report “An Unbelievable Story of Rape,” written by T. Christian Miller and Ken Armstrong. Toni Collette (Hereditary) stars as Colorado police detective Grace Rasmussen, while Merritt Wever (The Walking Dead) plays detective Karen Duvall.

In 2008, a young woman known as "Marie" (played in the limited series by Kaitlyn Dever) reported a sexual assault in Lynnwood, Washington. Upon being questioned, the 18-year-old ultimately recanted her story and was charged for making a false report. ProPublica’s investigation, along with Miller and Armstrong’s subsequent book A False Report, reveals how the victim was manipulated (and further victimized) by the justice system.

Netflix's Unbelievable features one of the most promising American actresses in the lead role, and the main female detectives will be immediately recognized by many viewers. Since Netflix first premiered the limited series, both critics and curious streamers alike have been raving about the central performances. Here’s a guide for Unbelievable’s main cast and characters.  

Kaitlyn Dever As Marie Adler

American actress Kaitlyn Dever portrays a rape victim in Unbelievable. Marie Adler reports a sexual assault but is further victimized by authorities who dismiss her claims.

Dever stars as Amy Antsler in the 2019 film Booksmart. A decade prior, she made her first TV appearances on ABC shows like Modern Family and Private Practice, and later starred in both FX’s Justified (as Loretta McCready) and ABC’s Last Man Standing (as Eve Baxter). On the big screen, Dever co-starred alongside Brie Larson and Rami Malek in Short Term 12, directed by Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings filmmaker Dustin Daniel Cretton. She’s also had roles in The Spectacular Now, Detroit, and Beautiful Boy.

Toni Collette As Grace Rasmussen

An Australian actress, Toni Collette stars as an experienced police officer in Unbelievable. Grace Rasmussen investigates a series of sexual assaults that ultimately connect to Marie Adler's case.

In pop culture, Collette is best known for headlining Ari Aster’s 2018 feature debut Hereditary. On TV, she co-starred with Brie Larson in the Showtime series United States of Tara. In a feature film career that dates back to the early ’90s, Collette has delivered memorable performances in The Sixth Sense, About a Boy, The Hours, and Little Miss Sunshine. She has roles in the 2019 films Velvet Buzzsaw and Knives Out. In 2020, the always busy Collette has booked roles in projects like Guillermo del Toro's remake of Nightmare Alley, and Charlie Kaufman's I'm Thinking of Ending Things.

Merritt Wever As Karen Duvall

In Unbelievable, American actress Merritt Wever portrays the main investigator. Karen Duvall is calm, religious, and uniquely determined.

Wever has won Primetime Emmy Awards for both Nurse Jackie and the 2017 Netflix limited series Godless. She began her career in the late ‘90s, appearing in Law & Order and the cult classic The Hairy Bird, otherwise known as All I Wanna Do (Harvey Weinstein’s Miramax Films changed the original title.) Wever later had roles in Lena Dunham’s Tiny Furniture and Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman. She portrayed Dr. Denise Cloyd on The Walking Dead, and has a supporting role in Noah Baumbach’s 2019 Netflix film Marriage Story. Wever is also set to star in upcoming HBO comedy series Run, alongside Domhnall Gleeson.

Unbelievable’s Supporting Cast (6-8 Episode Appearances)

Elizabeth Marvel as Judith: She portrays Marie's foster mother. In the past, Elizabeth Marvel played Heather Dunbar on House of Cards and President Elizabeth Keane in Homeland. Marvel will soon play Victoria Helstrom on Hulu's Marvel Comics-based Helstrom TV show.

Dale Dickey as RoseMarie: She's part of the main investigation team. Dale Dickey had recurring roles in My Name Is Earl, True Blood, Justified, and Vice Principals.

Danielle Macdonald as Amber: A sexual assault victim with crucial knowledge about a serial rapist. Danielle Macdonald portrays the rapper Patti in the 2017 film Patti Cake$ and Willowbean in the 2018 film Dumplin'.

Austin Hébert as Max Duvall: Karen Duvall's husband. Austin Héber co-starred with Game of Thrones’ Emilia Clarke in the 2019 film Above Suspicion. He'll also soon recur as young Jim on Showtime's Ray Donovan, and appear in a season 3 episode of Yellowstone.

Kai Lennox as Steve Rasmussen: Grace Rasmussen's husband. Kai Lennox portrays Woody Hammond in the TV series Falling Water.  

Liza Lapira as Mia: She's part of the main investigation team. Liza Lapira is best known for TV roles in Huff, NCIS, and Dollhouse. Lapira currently plays Victoria Fan on The CW's new Nancy Drew TV show.

Omar Maskati as Elias: An intern with the main investigation team. Omar Maskati portrays Omar on Better Call Saul. He'll also soon appear in the drama film All the Little Things We Kill, also starring Elizabeth Marvel.

Vanessa Bell Calloway as Sarah: She's also part of the main investigation team. Vanessa Bell Calloway played Princess Imani Izzi in the Eddie Murphy classic Coming to America and currently stars as Lady Ella Johnson in Saints & Sinners. She also recently made a one-off return to her old role on Shameless, and is set to return for 2020's Coming 2 America sequel.

More: Unbelievable True Story: What the Netflix Show Changed