In the Heart of the Seaincludes an incredible cast led by Chris Hemsworth. Based onIn the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essexby Nathaniel Philbrick, the movie follows a crew whose ship sinks after encountering a giant whale.In the Heart of the Seareceived mixed reviews when it premiered in 2015 and has a 42% Rotten Tomatoes score. Despite the divisive response the movie got, the performance of the actors is one of its saving graces.
Directed by Ron Howard,In the Heart of the Seais a film adaptation of the story that inspired Moby Dick. In the Heart of the Seastars Chris Hemsworth,along with other renowned actors such as Cillian Murphy and Brendan Gleeson.
Chris Hemsworth as Owen Chase
Date Of Birth: July 16, 2025
Actor:Born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia,Chris Hemsworth gained recognition after starring as Kim Hyde in the 2004 soap opera,Home and Away. AlthoughHome and Awaywas an important part of his career, Hemsworth really hit it big after starring inThorand thenThe Avengersmovies. While Hemsworth’s filmography includes a lot of franchises, he has starred in standalone movies such as12 Strong,Bad Times at the El Royale, andSpiderhead.
Home and Away
Snow White and the Huntsmen
Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Dementus
Character:Chris Hemsworth takes on the role of Owen Chase, the first mate inIn the Heart of the Sea. An experienced sailor, Owen was meant to be the captain of the whaling ship but was sidelined so that George Pollard, a man whose family owned a whale oil company, could instead take his place. Due to his experience, Owen has the respect of the ship’s crew and the ability to spot danger.
Benjamin Walker as George Pollard Jr.
Date Of Birth: June 18, 2025
Actor:Benjamin Walker was born in Cartersville, Georgia, U.S. After making his Broadway debut as Bertram Cates inInherit the Wind, the actor’s breakthrough role came shortly after. His portrayal ofAndrew Jackson inBloody BloodyAndrew Jackson catapulted him to fame. The actor has also had roles inThe Choice,Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,Jessica Jones, andThe Underground Railroad.
Jessica Jones
Erik Gelen
Character:George Pollard is a proud man who is determined to prove that he is a better sailor than Owen Chase, even though he isn’t. Most of the crew members on the whaling ship don’t respect George in the same way they respect Owen because he doesn’t seem to value their lives.
Cillian Murphy as Matthew Joy
Date Of Birth: August 02, 2025
Actor:Born in Cork, Ireland,Cillian Murphy’s breakout role was in the zombie movie,28 YearsLater. While Cillian Murphy is mostly known for movies and TV shows, he is also a stage actor. The award-winning actor has an impressive filmography and movie career that includes roles inBatman Begins, Inception,Peaky Blinders,Dunkirk, andOppenheimer,the last of which granted him an Oscar for Best Actor.
Batman Begins
Dr. Jonathan Crane
Character:Matthew Joy is the second mate on the whaling ship. Like Owen Chase, Matthew is an experienced sailor who knows the ins and outs of whale hunting. Together with Owen, he runs a tight ship and ensures that they reach their goal of filling up 2000 barrels of whale oil.
Tom Holland as Young Thomas Nickerson
Date Of Birth: August 05, 2025
Actor:Born in London, England, Tom Holland became interested in acting at a young age. Hisbreakout role was Lucas in the 2012 movie,The Impossible. The British actor is now most known for his roles as Spider-Man, having played the character in three solo films and three team-up movies. Holland has also starred inThe Crowded Room,Uncharted, and will now leadChristopher Nolan’sThe Odyssey.
Captain America: Civil War
Peter Parker/Spider-Man
Character:Tom Holland takes on the role of a young Thomas Nickerson, a cabin boy who is on his first voyage. While on the whaling ship, Thomas initially has a hard time adjusting, but with the help of Owen Chase, he begins to acquire the skills needed to catch a whale.
Brendan Gleeson as Old Thomas Nickerson
Date Of Birth: June 25, 2025
Actor:Born in Dublin, Ireland, Brandon Gleeson is known for his roles in movies such asHarry Potter,The Guard, andCalvary. Gleesongained recognition for his portrayal of Hamish Campbell in the 1995 film,Braveheart. Since then, the Irish actor has featured in several other movies and TV shows, includingMr. Mercedes,Joker: Folie à deux,The Banshees of Inisherin, andState of the Union.
Joker: Folie à deux
Edge of Tomorrow
General Brigham
Character:Brendan Gleeson plays the old Thomas Nickerson inIn the Heart of the Sea. Thomas Nickerson is an alcoholic who wants to forget his past. When Herman Melville arrives at the inn Thomas and his wife run, he is reluctant to tell him what happened on the whaling ship he was on during his younger years, but he eventually decides to open up.
Ben Whishaw as Herman Melville
Date Of Birth: August 16, 2025
Actor:Ben Whishaw was born in Clifton, Bedfordshire, England. The Britishactor made it big after starring as Jean-Baptiste Grenouille inPerfume: The Story of a Murderer. He is best known for his roles inSkyfall,Fargo,Mary Poppins Returns, andThe Lobster. Ben Whishaw recently played Sam in Netflix’s thriller,Black Doves.
Bad Behaviour
Elon Bello
Character:Herman Melville arrives in Nantucket with the hope that Thomas Nickerson will tell him the story about the ship that was sunk by a giant whale so he could write Moby Dick. While Melville traveled miles to see Thomas and paid him a lot of money to talk about the tragedy, it was Mrs. Nickerson who ended up convincing her husband to talk about the tragic accident.
Michelle Fairley as Mrs. Nickerson
Date Of Birth: August 02, 2025
Actor:Michelle Fairley has had a long and illustrious career. Theactor is mostly recognized for her role as Catherine Stark inGame of Thrones. Michelle Fairley has also appeared in other notable movies and TV shows, such asSmall Things Like Thesealongside Cillian Murphy,Gangs of London,Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story,Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, andPhilomena.
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Princess Augusta
Character:Mrs. Nickerson is forced to be in charge of their inn when her husband becomes incapable of doing so due to the trauma that came as a result of the whaling ship sinking. When Herman Melville knocks on their door, Mrs. Nickerson takes it as a sign for her husband to talk about what happened, since he refused to say anything to her. Mrs. Nickerson is strong and resilient and is willing to do whatever it takes to put food on their table.
Gary Beadle as William Bond
Date Of Birth: July 23, 2025
Actor:Born in Bermondsey, London, England,Gary Beadle is mostly recognized for his role as Paul Trueman in the soap opera,EastEnders. The British actor has appeared inThe Interceptor,Silent Witness, andA Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. He has appeared inGrantchester,The Wheel of Time, andThe Gentlemen.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder
Victor Amobi
Character:Gary Beadle takes on the role of William Bond, the captain’s steward inIn the Heart of the Sea. Beadle was a hardworking man who ensured that the members of the whaling ship crew were well taken care of.
Frank Dillane as Henry Coffin
Date Of Birth: July 23, 2025
Actor:Frank Dillane began acting at a young age.He is mostly recognized for his roles as Tom Riddle inHarry Potter and the Half-blood Princeand Nick Clark inFear the Walking Dead. Dillane has also starred inSense8,The Essex Serpent, andJoan.
Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince
Renegade Nell
Charles Devereux
Character:Henry Coffin is George Pollard’s cousin inIn the Heart of the Sea. Henry Coffin was called Owen Coffin in the book, but his name was changed in the film to avoid confusing him with Chris Hemsworth’s character. Henry was one of the most disliked characters on the ship due to his arrogance and sense of entitlement.
Edward Ashley as Barzillai Ray
Date Of Birth: Unknown
Actor:Edward Ashley has starred in several movies and TV shows.He is best known for his roles inThe Lost City of Z,The Terror, andMasters of the Air. He also has roles inLast Tango in Halifax,The King, andThe Worst Man in London.
Masters of the Air
The Worst Man in London
Dante Gabriel Rossetti
Character:Barzillai Ray is one of the crew members on George Pollard’s ship. Like Thomas Nickerson, he was only a teenager when he decided to go on the whale-hunting voyage.
In the Heart of The Sea Supporting Cast & Characters
Charlotte Riley as Peggy Chase:Charlotte Riley has been active since 2007 and gained recognition for starring as Catherine Earnshaw inWuthering Heights. The actor is also known for her roles in movies and TV shows such asPeaky Blinders,London Has Fallen, andEdge of Tomorrow.
Donald Sumpter as Paul Mason:Born in Brixworth, Northampton, England, United Kingdom, Donald Sumpter takes on the role of Paul Mason inIn the Heart of the Sea. The actor is best known for starring inGame of Thrones,The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, andJekyll and Hyde.
Jamie Sives as Isaac Cole:Jamie Sives takes on the role of Isaac Cole inIn the Heart of the Sea. The actor is mostly recognized for starring inValhalla Rising,Wilbur Wants to Kill Himself, andMean Machine.
Joseph Mawle as Benjamin Lawrence: After making it big in Soundproof, Joseph Mawle went on to star inGame of Thronesas Benjen Stark, Jesus Christ inThe Passion,The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,1923, andRipper Street.
Will Thor Return To The MCU? Everything Chris Hemsworth Has Said
Chris Hemsworth has made a number of comments through the years that suggest his version of Thor may return for one final Marvel Universe film.
Paul Anderson as Caleb Chappel:Born in Kennington, South London, England, Paul Anderson is famous for portraying Arthur Shelby inPeaky Blinders. He has also had roles inNightmare Alley,Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, andThe Firm.
Luca Tosi as William Wright:Luca Tosi takes on the role of William Wright inIn The Heart of the Sea.In the Heart of the Seais the only movie in his filmography.
Sam Keeley as Ramsdell:Sam Keeley’s breakout role was onRaw, where he played Philip. The Irish actor has also starred inThe Cured,68 Whiskey, andKin.
In the Heart of the Sea
Cast
Based on the real-life event that inspired Moby Dick, In the Heart of the Sea is directed by Ron Howard and stars Chris Hemsworth as Owen Chase, first mate of the whaling ship Essex who must fight for his life in the middle of the ocean when a whale destroys his ship, killing most of his crew and stranding him and a few survivors on a lifeboat. Cillian Murphy, Tom Holland, Ben Whishaw, and Brendan Gleeson also star.
