The Casting Expansion

Netflix and Sony Pictures Television have finalized the recurring cast for their upcoming adaptation of Liz Moore’s bestselling novel, The God of the Woods. Fourteen new actors have joined the production, including industry veterans Tracy Letts and Lola Kirke. The move signals a significant scaling of the project’s ensemble, which already features series regulars like Maya Hawke and Kerry Condon.

This is a massive production. The series, a multi-generational drama set in the Adirondacks, hinges on the disappearance of 13-year-old Barbara Van Laar. The narrative weaves together class tensions, family secrets, and the slow unraveling of a wealthy dynasty. With the addition of these 14 performers, the show is clearly aiming for a dense, character-driven atmosphere.

Key Additions and Character Dynamics

Tracy Letts joins the cast as Peter Van Laar II. He is the older, wealthier patriarch of the Van Laar family. On the surface, he appears kinder than his son, played by Benjamin Walker. Beneath that, however, something disturbing remains. It is a classic setup for a family drama.

Lola Kirke steps into the role of Delphine Barlow, the boisterous, widowed older sister of Alice, played by Condon. The character is described as a confident presence who tends to dominate conversations. Meanwhile, John Gallagher Jr. will play Jacob “Slitter” Sluiter, a convicted murderer who escapes prison just as the central disappearance occurs. The timing is no coincidence.

Colton Ryan rounds out the notable additions as John Paul McClellan Jr. He is the emotionally repressed son of a wealthy family with deep, potentially dangerous ties to the local Camp Emerson. The inclusion of these specific archetypes suggests the show will lean heavily into the intersection of privilege and trauma.

The Full List of New Cast Members

Beyond the headliners, the production has filled out its roster with a mix of established character actors and rising talent. The full list of new recurring cast members includes:

  • Camila Canó-Flaviá as Donna Romano
  • Tristan Leander Green as Lee Towson
  • Cliff Chamberlain as Carl Stoddard
  • Lynden Miles Ley as Bear Van Laar
  • Dannie McCallum as Jeannie Clute
  • Andrew Polk as Clovis Goldman
  • Chris Henry Coffey as Sergeant Jimmy Dagle
  • David Furr as John Paul McLellan Sr.
  • Joseph Adams as Vic Hewitt
  • Brooklyn Shuck as Annabel

Key Takeaways

  • The production has added 14 recurring cast members, including Tracy Letts, Lola Kirke, and John Gallagher Jr., to the adaptation of Liz Moore’s novel.
  • The series is co-showrun by Liz Hannah and Moore, focusing on the Van Laar family’s decline and a mysterious disappearance in the Adirondacks.
  • The cast expansion suggests a complex, multi-layered narrative that balances established stars with a deep bench of supporting talent.

What Comes Next

With the cast now largely set, the focus shifts to the production timeline in the Adirondacks. The showrunners, Hannah and Moore, have a difficult task ahead. They must balance the atmospheric mystery of the source material with the demands of a high-budget streaming series. The next major milestone will be the release of the first teaser trailer, which is expected to arrive in the coming months as the show moves into post-production.