Meet the Cast of 'Paradise'

The Hulu series starring Sterling K. Brown is a mind-bending political thriller.

Sterling K. Brown and Julianne Nicholson in 'Paradise.'
(Image credit: Disney/Brian Roedel)

Hulu's must-watch TV series Paradise is a mind-bending political thriller—and it also happens to be a This Is Us reunion. Created by Dan Fogelman and executive-produced by Sterling K. Brown, the dystopian series stars the three-time Emmy winner as Xavier Collins, a Secret Service agent whose world is thrown into chaos when he finds President Cal Bradford (James Marsden) dead one morning. Xavier's investigation into Cal's death powers the twist-and-turn-filled series.

To fill out the show's world of political intrigue, Hulu has recruited a cast of beloved television stars, from a longtime heartthrob to a familiar face for Netflix fans. With season 2 premiering on February 23, here's what to know about the cast of Paradise.

Sterling K. Brown as Agent Xavier Collins

Sterling K. Brown as Agent Xavier Collins in 'Paradise.'

(Image credit: Disney/Brian Roedel)

Agent Xavier Collins is the head of security for President Cal Bradford and a devoted father to his children, Presley (Aliyah Mastin) and James (Percy Daggs IV). Xavier and Cal have a complicated relationship, which puts a spotlight on the agent when he finds the president dead one morning.

Sterling K. Brown, 49, is an award-winning actor best known for starring in shows like American Crime Story: The People vs. O.J. Simpson, This Is Us, and Washington Black, as well as the films Black Panther, Waves, and Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. In 2024, he received an Oscar nomination for his role in the satirical comedy American Fiction. He also hosts the podcast "We Don't Always Agree" with his wife, Ryan Michelle Bathe.

Instagram: @sterlingkbrown

James Marsden as President Cal Bradford

James Marsden as President Cal Bradford in 'Paradise.'

(Image credit: Disney/Brian Roedel)

President Cal Bradford is a charming politician who led the nation through a troubling time while hiding his estranged relationship with his wife and son. At the start of Paradise, he's mysteriously found dead, leaving Xavier to investigate the murder.

James Marsden, 52, is best known for starring in films the X-Men franchise, movie musicals like Hairspray and Enchanted, The Notebook, 27 Dresses, The Butler, and the Sonic the Hedgehog movies. On the TV side, he appeared in HBO's Westworld, Netflix's Dead to Me, and Prime Video's Jury Duty.

Instagram: @james_marsden

Julianne Nicholson as Samantha Redmond (a.k.a Sinatra)

Julianne Nicholson as Samantha Redmond in 'Paradise.'

(Image credit: Disney/Brian Roedel)

Samantha Redmond is a tech billionaire closely intertwined with Cal and the government. Ever since tragedy struck her family, she has been dedicated to her work. Though she's committed to saving humanity, it's often unclear whether her decisions are for the good of the people or herself.

Julianne Nicholson, 54, is an Emmy-winning stage and screen actress best known for appearing in shows such as Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Boardwalk Empire, Masters of Sex, Mare of Easttown, and Hacks. She also starred in the movies Tully, August: Osage County; I, Tonya, and Janet Planet.

Instagram: @juliannenicholsonofficial

Sarah Shahi as Dr. Gabriela Torabi

Sarah Shahi as Dr. Gabriela Torabi in 'Paradise.'

(Image credit: Disney/Brian Roedel)

Dr. Gabriela Torabi is a therapist and close advisor to Sinatra, who has also become involved in the government.

Sarah Shahi, 46, was a former pageant queen and Dallas Cowboy Cheerleader before the late director Robert Altman convinced her to try acting. She's best known for starring in the Netflix series Sex/Life, as well as her supporting roles on The L Word, Life, Fairly Legal, and City on a Hill. She also recently appeared in the movies Black Adam and Red, White, and Royal Blue.

Instagram: @sarahshahi

Jon Beavers as Billy Page

Jon Beavers as Billy Page in 'Paradise.'

(Image credit: Disney/Brian Roedel)

Billy Page is Xavier's most trusted subordinate and friend, who helps ensure the president's safety and well-being.

Jon Beavers, 42, began his acting career playing Twist on Nickelodeon's The Fresh Beat Band. Recently, he has appeared in the movies Licorice Pizza and Horizon: An American Saga - Chapters 1 & 2. He has also had supporting roles on the shows The Long Road Home, Animal Kingdom, Bel-Air, and Sugar.

Instagram: @jonnybeavs

Nicole Brydon Bloom as Jane Driscoll

Nicole Brydon Bloom as Jane, in 'Paradise.'

(Image credit: Disney/Ser Baffo)

Jane, another of Xavier's subordinates with a mysterious past, is played by Nicole Brydon Bloom, 31. The rising star made her acting debut in an episode of Showtime's The Affair, and she has since appeared on HBO's The Gilded Age and Hulu's We Were the Lucky Ones. In March 2025, she married fellow actor Justin Theroux; the pair is now expecting their first child.

Instagram: @n.brydonbloom

Krys Marshall as Agent Nicole Robinson

Krys Marshall as Agent Nicole Robinson in 'Paradise.'

(Image credit: Disney/Brian Roedel)

Xavier's boss is Agent Nicole Robinson, who has a special relationship with Cal. She's played by Krys Marshall, 36, who has appeared on dozens of shows, including One Day at a Time, This Is Us, Supergirl, Shameless, and Bad Monkey. She's best known for playing Danielle Poole on For All Mankind.

Instagram: @krysmarshall

Enuka Okuma as Dr. Teri Rogers-Collins

At the start of Paradise, Xavier believes his beloved wife Teri is dead. After receiving proof that she's alive in the season 1 finale, he's set to spend season 2 searching for her.

Enuka Okuma, 49, is a prolific film and TV actress who's best known for her roles in Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye, Rookie Blue, Impulse, and Workin' Moms. The Pitt fans may also recognize her from her appearance as Natalie Malone, the surrogate who gives birth in season 1, episode 11, "5:00 P.M."

Instagram: @enukaokumaofficial

Shailene Woodley

A woman in a puffy jacket (Shailene Woodley) rides a horse through a forest clearing strewn with debris. An overturned car is seen behind her, in a still from Hulu's 'Paradise' season 2.

(Image credit: Disney/Ser Baffo)

Big Little Lies alum Shailene Woodley, 34, joins Paradise season 2 in an undisclosed guest-star role. The Emmy nominee rose to fame starring on ABC Family's 2000s hit The Secret Life of the American Teenager, before appearing in major movies including The Descendants, The Fault in Our Stars, and the Divergent series. In 2024, she both starred in the Starz drama Three Women and made her Broadway debut in the revival of Cult of Love.

Instagram: @shailenewoodley

Thomas Doherty as Link

A bearded man (Thomas Doherty as Link) stands among dust-covered motorcycles and trucks in a caravan. One man is seen leaning into a red truck, while others stand in the background on the road, in Hulu's 'Paradise' season 2.

(Image credit: Disney/Ser Baffo)

Thomas Doherty also joins Paradise season 2 as a biker gang leader named Link. The 30-year-old Scottish actor began his career starring in Disney Channel projects like The Lodge and Descendants 2, before rising to fame as Max Wolfe on the Gossip Girl reboot. Most recently, he played Leo in the hit Hulu series Tell Me Lies and made his Off-Broadway debut as Seymour in the musical Little Shop of Horrors.

Instagram: @thomasadoherty

Quinci LeGardye
Culture Writer

Quinci LeGardye is a Culture Writer at Marie Claire. She currently lives in her hometown of Los Angeles after periods living in NYC and Albuquerque, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in English and Psychology from The University of New Mexico. In 2021, she joined Marie Claire as a contributor, becoming a full-time writer for the brand in 2024. She contributes day-to-day-content covering television, movies, books, and pop culture in general. She has also written features, profiles, recaps, personal essays, and cultural criticism for outlets including Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, HuffPost, Teen Vogue, Vulture, The A.V. Club, Catapult, and others. When she isn't writing or checking Twitter way too often, you can find her watching the latest K-drama, or giving a concert performance in her car.