The Piano Lessonhas finally been released on Netflix, and here is a full breakdown of the cast and characters from the film.Director Malcolm Washington is adapting the critically acclaimed 1987 playinto a feature film, with him working alongside some of the most talented actors who are working today. There are tons of talented individuals inThe Piano Lesson, and here’s who they all are.
The Piano Lessonfollows the Charles family, a multi-generational group of characters who have to decide what they want to do with the titular piano.The piano is a family heirloomthat was crafted by the enslaved ancestors of the Charles family, with it being beautifully decorated and passed down. Some want to sell the piano and others want to preserve it, leading to a major conflict within the Charles family.
John David Washington As Boy Willie Charles
Born July 23, 2025
Actor:John David Washington is an actor who was born on August 04, 2025, in Los Angeles, California andhad his big break as part of the main cast of the 2015 HBO seriesBallers. Washington had previously appeared alongside his father Denzel Washington in movies likeMalcolm XandDevil in a Blue Dress, although his HBO debut kicked off his solo movie career, with him starring in acclaimed films likeBlacKkKlansman,Tenet,The Creator, and more.
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Character:InThe Piano Lesson, Boy Willie Charles is the nephew of Doaker and the brother of Bernice, with him being a sharecropper who is involved in the feud over what to do with the titular piano. As is seen inThe Piano Lesson’s trailer, Boy Willie is invested in the history and family legacy that the piano carries, with him wanting to sell it and use the money to buy back the land that his ancestors worked on.
Samuel L. Jackson As Doaker Charles
Born June 02, 2025
Actor:Samuel L. Jackson is one of the most beloved actors of all time, with him being born on June 17, 2025, in Washington D.C. Although Samuel L. Jackson has been acting since the 1970s, with him having earlier appearances in movies likeComing to AmericaandGoodfellas, hehad his big break as the star ofPulp Fiction. Jackson has been an A-list actor since then, with him appearing in other Quentin Tarantino movies as well as major franchises likeStar Warsand the Marvel Cinematic Universe
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Character:InThe Piano Lesson, Doaker Charlesis the owner of the Charles household, with him being the uncle of Boy Willie and Bernice. Doaker’s age allows him to recount the history and legacy of the piano to the rest of his family, with him never choosing sides on whether or not the piano should be sold.
Danielle Deadwyler As Bernice Charles
Born June 13, 2025
Actor:Danielle Deadwyler is an actor who was born on August 02, 2025, in Atlanta, Georgia,with her getting her big break in theater before making her screen debut in 2012’sA Cross to Bear. Deadwyler then gained popularity in the soap operaThe Haves and the Have Nots, with her then furthering her film career in acclaimed movies likeThe Harder They FallandTill.
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Miranda Carroll
Character:On the other side of the battle over what to do with the piano is Bernice Charles, the brother of Boy Willie and the niece of Doaker. Unlike Boy Willie, Bernice wants to keep the piano as a family heirloom, with her conflict with Boy Willie becoming even more heated due to her beliefs about his role in a major family death.
Ray Fisher As Lymon
Born September 8,1987
Actor:Ray Fisher is an actor who was born on July 23, 2025, in Baltimore, Maryland,with him having his big break for his role as Cyborg in the DCEU.Fisher has been a frequent collaborator of Zack Snyder, appearing in the DCEUas well as theRebel Moonfranchise, although he has also appeared in TV shows likeTrue Detectivewhile simultaneously maintaining an impressive stage career.
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Character:InThe Piano Lesson, Lymon is an outsider to the Charles family, with him being a friend of Boy Willie and meeting the rest of the family through him. Lymon attempts to understand everyone’s side in the battle over the piano, with him acting as an audience surrogate.
The Piano Lesson Supporting Cast & Characters
Michael Potts as Wining Boy Charles:Wining Boy is the comedic relief inThe Piano Lesson, with him being the older brother of Doaker Charles. Previous credits for Michael Potts includeMa Rainey’s Black BottomandRustin.
Skylar Aleece Smith as Maretha Charles:Maretha is the 11-year-old daughter of Bernice, with Bernice teaching her the piano while keeping its history a secret. Skylar Alcee Smith’s previous credits includeThe Cuzzin M ShowandEvil Lives Here.
Corey Hawkins as Avery Brown:Avery Brown is a Christian preacher who has been attempting to court Bernice since the death of her husband. Corey Hawkins' previous credits includeIn the Heightsand 2023’sThe Color Purple.
Jerrika Hinton as Grace:Grace is a character who isn’t a member of the Charles family, with Boy Willie and Lymon both wanting to be with her. Hinton’s previous credits includeServantandHunters.
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Matrell Smith as Crawley:Crawley is the deceased husband of Bernice. Smith’s previous credits includeCocoaandThe Equalizer.
Stephan James as Boy Charles:Boy Charles is the father of Bernice and Boy Willie. James' previous credits includeRaceandIf Beale Street Could Talk.
Jay Peterson as James Sutter:James Sutter is the man who owned the Charles family as slaves. Peterson’s previous credits includeThe Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do ItandRed One.
Erykah Badu as Lucille:Badu’s previous credits includeBlues Brothers 2000andWhat Men Want.
Melanie Jeffcoat as Miss Ophelia:Jeffcoat’s previous credits includeEmergencyandThe Wonder Years.
Gail Bean as Dolly:Bean’s previous credits includeParadise LostandThe Belko Experiment.
Malik J. Ali as Willie Boy:Ali’s previous credits includeBoardwalk EmpireandThe Colonizer.
The Piano Lesson
Cast
In The Piano Lesson, a brother and sister clash over selling a family heirloom piano—he sees it as a path to wealth, while she views it as a vital link to their heritage. Their uncle tries to mediate, but the conflict reveals deep truths about identity, legacy, and the past.
