Why You Recognise The Cast Of ‘Thunderbolts*’ & Where Else You Can Watch Them

Marvel’s Thunderbolts* brings together a brand new team of superheroes dedicated to protecting the planet. As the final film in Phase 5 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it also introduces the New Avengers—the team we’ll be seeing a lot more of in Phase 6. While some of the cast are familiar faces within the MCU, many have appeared in a wide variety of films and series outside of Marvel. From Florence Pugh in Little Women to Sebastian Stan in The Apprentice, if you’re curious about where else you might have seen the cast of Thunderbolts*, check out our guide below and find out where you can stream each feature.

Florence Pugh - Yelena Belova

Florence Pugh’s deadly assassin Yelena Belova was first introduced into the MCU in 2021’s Black Widow. Now a fundamental part of the New Avengers team, Pugh will take the character into Marvel's Phase 6 in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Pugh is one of the most versatile young actresses in Hollywood at the moment, and you might recognise her from her leading role in Ari Aster’s daylight horror Midsommar, or from her role as one the March sisters in Little Women. More recently, she also appeared in bigger productions like Dennis Villeneuve's Dune: Part Two as the Emperor’s daughter Princess Irulan and in the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer as the psychiatrist Jean Tatlock.

Sebastian Stan - Bucky Barns (aka The Winter Soldier)

Sebastian Stan was already a staple in the Marvel Cinematic Universe long before Thunderbolts*, having played Steve Rogers’s best friend-turned-brainwashed-supersoldier Bucky Barns (aka The Winter Soldier) since 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The character has since evolved to become a hero once more, and Stan has played him in over five MCU productions, including the television series The Falcon & The Winter Soldier alongside Anthony Mackie. But while Stan is most widely recognised for his part in the MCU, he’s appeared in a variety of other films including 2024’s The Apprentice, for which received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his portrayal of the young Donald Trump. You might also recognise him from Pam & Tommy, where he plays drummer Tommy Lee opposite Lily James as Pamela Anderson, or from his supporting roles in The Martian and I, Tonya.

Wyatt Russell - John Walker (aka US Agent) 

Wyatt Russell first appeared as John Walker (aka US Agent) in The Falcon & The Winter Soldier, where he was originally appointed as the replacement for Steve Rogers as Captain America after the events of Avengers: Endgame. However, a series of events leads him to concede the title to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) and move on to be known as US Agent, taking part in the New Avengers. Wyatt Russell is the son of Hollywood superstars Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, and you might also recognise him from his starring role as ex surfer Dud in the series Lodge 49, or from Richard Linklater’s Everybody Wants Some!!!, and as the jock Zook in 22 Jump Street.

Lewis Pullman - Bob Reynolds (aka Sentry/Void)

In Thunderbolts*, Lewis Pullman plays a supersoldier turned incredibly powerful entity known as Sentry or Void. Not quite a villain but also not exactly a hero, Bob’s arc is key to the Thunderbolts* plot. You might recognise Pullman from his previous roles in Top Gun: Maverick, Bad Times at the El Royale, and television series Lessons in Chemistry and Outer Range. More recently, he starred in the 2024 adaptation of the Stephen King novel Salem's Lot as the writer Ben Mears.

David Harbour - Alexei Shostakov (aka Red Guardian)

David Harbour plays a supersoldier and member of the New Avengers, Alexei Shostakov (aka Red Guardian). He first played the character in Black Widow, and will once more reprise the role in Avengers: Doomsday. You might recognise David Harbour from the role that made him a household name: Sheriff Jim Hopper in the beloved Netflix series Stranger Things. He first entered the superhero genre in the 2019 reboot Hellboy as the titular antihero. Since then, he has appeared in films like the Christmas actioner Violent Night and the racecar drama Gran Turismo, among others.

Hannah John-Kamen - Ava Starr (aka Ghost)

Another member of the New Avengers team, Ava Starr has the power to turn invisible—hence her superhero moniker “Ghost.” Hannah John-Kamen first appeared as the character in 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp, and will reprise the role in 2026’s Avengers: Doomsday. You might recognise John-Kamen from her appearance in the Black Mirror (series 3) episode “Playtest,” where she stars opposite Wyatt Russell. She also starred in the space series Killjoys and appeared in actioners SAS: Red Notice and Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City, in addition to the indie horror film Unwelcome.

Wendell Pierce - Congressman Gary

Wendell Pierce appears in Thunderbolts* as Congressmen Gary. Pierce is most well known for playing Detective Bunk Moreland in the acclaimed HBO series The Wire. Since his days on The Wire, he has appeared in the series Treme as trombonist Antoine Batiste, and as attorney Robert Zane in the series Suits. You might also recognise him from smaller parts in the films Horrible Bosses, Selma, and Burning Cane.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus - Valentina Allegra de Fontaine

Julia Louis-Dreyfus has already spent decades in the industry as a well known actress and comedian. The Golden Globe-winning actress has appeared as CIA director Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in The Falcon & the Winter Soldier, a post-credits scene in Black Widow, in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and now in Thunderbolts*. You might recognise her from her iconic role as Elaine in the longstanding sitcom Seinfeld, or as Vice President Selina Meyer in the award-winning comedy series Veep. Louise-Dreyfus also was a cast member on Saturday Night Live between 1982 and 1985, and has appeared in comedies like Downhill, Arrested Development, Curb Your Enthusiasm, 30 Rock, and many others.

Geraldine Viswanathan - Mel

Geraldine Viswanathan plays Mel, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s young assistant in Thunderbolts*. You might recognise Viswantathan from her role as teen Kayla Mannes in the comedy Blockers, or as student reporter Rachel in the true-story HBO crime film Bad Education. 

She also appeared in recurring roles in the series Janet King and Miracle Workers.

Chris Bauer - Holt

In Thunderbolts*, Chris Bauer plays OXE Group security officer Holt. Bauer has been working steadily in film and television since the mid 1990s, and is most recognised for his work on The Wire where he plays port union boss Frank Sobotka. He also starred in the HBO vampire series True Blood as Detective Bellefleur, and as construction foreman Bobby Dwyer in The Deuce. He has additionally appeared in a variety of films and series like American Crime Story, Broken Flowers, High Fidelity, and Fellow Travelers.

Where to watch all the movies and TV series from the cast of ‘Thunderbolts*’ streaming online

Find out how (and where) to stream movies and TV shows in which the cast of Thunderbolts* appear online by scrolling down to the list below. The films and series are all available to stream online across a variety of platforms in the United Kingdom, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, ITVX and more!