Deep Blue Sea(1999) is a thrilling25-year-old shark horror moviedirected by Renny Harlin. With a 60% score onRotten Tomatoes,Deep Blue Seais a divisive film that has nonetheless developed a cult following since its release. The B-movie boasts a fantastic cast who play scientists researching a remote island. Their experiments on sharks, designed to cure Alzheimer’s disease, take a terrifying turn when the genetically engineered creatures become intelligent and deadly.
The movie’s talented lineup and impressive special effects elevate it above the typical B-movie standard while retaining theso-bad-it’s-good shark movieappeal. It’s a fun, campy, and entertaining disaster flick that has become a cultclassic shark movieamong horror and sci-fi fans.Deep Blue Sea’s enduring legacy explains why many fans are eager to learn where the movie’s cast is today.
Thomas Jane As Carter Blake
Date Of Birth: July 17, 2025
Actor:Thomas Janewas born in Baltimore, Maryland, and broke into acting with the Indian Telugu language filmPadamati Sandhya Ragamby Jandhyala. However, it was his role as baseball player Mickey Mantle in61*that was his big break – its critical acclaim led to leading roles including a major title role inThe Punisher(2004).
1997
2002
2004
2007
1922
2017
Wilfred James
Character:Thomas Jane playsCarter Blake. Once a shark wrangler and hunter, Carter became part of Aquatica’s crew. He tries to dissuade Susan from conducting her controversial experiments, confessing to a past marred by two years in prison for smuggling.
Samuel L. Jackson As Russell Franklin
Date Of Birth: June 30, 2025
Actor:Samuel L. Jackson was born in Washington, D.C. and started out in theatre withMother Courage and Her Children. Jackson is a hugely prolific actor, starring in over 150 movies. His breakthrough film role was as Gator inJungle Fever(1991), but he is best-known today for his regular collaborations with Quentin Tarantino, his leading role in theStar Warsprequel series, and his recurring presence in the MCU as Nick Fury.
1991
1993
1994
2001
2008
Nick Fury
Character:Samuel L. Jackson playsRussell Franklin.A businessman and visionary CEO, he funded the Aquatica project, including the crew’s experiments. He is the false protagonist in the movie, his famous rallying speech cut short when he is unexpectedly eaten by one of thekiller mako sharks.
Saffron Burrows As Dr. Susan McCallister
Date Of Birth: August 09, 2025
Actor:Saffron Burrows was born in St Pancras, London, and began her film acting career with a minor role inIn the Name of the Father.Her breakthrough role was inCircle of Friends(1995), and her time dedicated to theater in the early 2000s earned her further critical acclaim to bring back to her film acting.
1995
2000
2006
2023
Catherine
Character:Saffron Burrows playsDr. Susan McCallister.The antiheroic Susan leads the Aquatica team. Their goal is to harness the intelligence of genetically engineered Mako sharks to develop an Alzheimer’s cure. However, her controversial research methods ultimately trigger a catastrophe.
LL Cool J As Sherman “Preacher” Dudley
Date Of Birth: June 11, 2025
LL Cool J was born in Long Island, New York, and is one of the first rappers to have achieved commercial success. Although he plays himself in several of his early movies, his first starring role was as Jason St. Julian in the crime drama filmOut-of-Sync(1995). Today, he is probably best known as the co-lead on the popular procedural spinoff,NCIS: Los Angeles.
1998
2013
2009-2023
Special Agent Sam Hanna
Character:LL Cool J playsSherman “Preacher” Dudley.Preacher is the cook of Aquatica’s crew. Isolated from the rest of the survivors for much of the movie, Dudley is accompanied by his pet parrot, who helps him fight off the unwanted attention of the sharks.
Stellan Skarsgård As Jim Whitlock
Date Of Birth: June 08, 2025
Actor:Stellan Skarsgård was born in Gothenburg, Sweden. He started acting very young and his breakthrough role was in the Lars von Trier filmBreaking the Waves(1996). This was one of several projects he did with von Trier before moving into American titles and Skarsgård is now considered a MCU veteran for his recurring role as Erik Selvig.
1996
2012
2021/2024
Baron Vladimir Harkonnen
Character:Stellan Skarsgård playsJim Whitlock.He is a scientist working with the Aquatica crew. Arguably, he is the initial catalyst of the chaos, being the scientific leader of the research. He is also the first character to be killed by the sharks after one breaks loose.
Michael Rapaport As Tom Scoggins
Date Of Birth: August 12, 2025
Actor:Michael Rapaport was born in New York City, and broke through with his starring role inZebrahead(1992). As well as a prolific film career, he is equally known for his work in television, includingFriendsandMy Name Is Earl. He recently played one of the Knights in theBrotherhood of Steel inFallout.
1992
1999
2008–2009
2024
Knight Titus
Character:Michael Rapaport playsTom Scoggins.Scoggs, a skilled engineer, joined Aquatica’s crew before the events of the film. He is continually shown as one of the more panic-prone members of the group, and he meets a suitably horrific fate in the film’s climax.
Jacqueline McKenzie As Janice “Jan” Higgins
Date Of Birth: August 18, 2025
Actor:Jacqueline McKenzie was born in Sydney, Australia, and began her career in modeling. After appearing on the small screen inAll The Way(1988), a notable casting agent persuaded her to study Dramatic Art and she soon found success in both theater and film.
2006–2007
2014
Miss Fisher and the Crypt of Tears
2020
2021
Florence Weaver
Character:Jacqueline McKenzie playsJanice “Jan” Higgins.Janice Higgins, a marine biologist at Aquatica, is deeply involved in the facility’s research and is Jim Whitlock’s love interest. The chaos that ensues leads to a loss for Janice and a terrifying shark encounter.
Aida Turturro As Brenda Kerns
Date Of Birth: July 01, 2025
Actor:Aida Turturro was born in Brooklyn, New York, and by far hermost recognizable role is Janice SopranoinThe Sopranos(1999–2007), a standout performance embodying the character viewers love to hate. Other notable roles include a recurring role inThe Blacklist.
1989
2000—2007
2009
2011
2017—2023
Heddie Hawkins
Character:Aida Turturro playsBrenda KernsinDeep Blue Sea.Brenda, an operator at Aquatica’s tower, is caught in the middle of a shark-filled frenzy. Unfortunately, her luck runs out, and she becomes another victim of the aquatic chaos.
Supporting Cast & Characters
Ronny Cox as Executive – Franklin’s Boss: Despite being uncredited, Ronny Cox is the most high-profile member ofDeep Blue Sea’s supporting cast. His credits includeDeliverance,RoboCop, andTotal Recall.
Daniel Rey as Helicopter Pilot: Primarily a musician, Daniel Rey has collaborated on the soundtrack for notable releases likePossessorandPet Semetary.
Tajsha Thomas as Friend of Janice:Another minorDeep Blue Searole, Thomas' character has a close relationship with McKenzie’s. Her other credits includePacific PalisadesandD2: The Mighty Ducks.
