Search results
In 1920s New York City, Irene Redfield, a light-skinned black woman living in Harlem, meets a childhood friend, Clare Bellew, by chance at a hotel dining room. Irene is married to a Black doctor. She learns that Clare has been "passing" as white and has married a wealthy white man from Chicago.
- Tessa Thompson as Irene Redfield
- Ruth Negga as Clare Bellew
- André Holland as Brian Redfield
- Alexander Skarsgård as John Bellew
- Bill Camp as Hugh Wentworth
- Passing Supporting Cast & Characters
Irene, a biracial woman living with her husband and sons in Harlem, is played by Tessa Thompson. She discovers her childhood friend Clare has discarded her identity to assimilate with the white majority, and despite her efforts to distance herself, she finds herself still entangled in her friend’s life. Thompson is widely recognized for her roles a...
Leaving behind her heritage, Clare passes as white, marrying a wealthy white man who knows nothing about her past. She encounters her childhood friend Irene and integrates herself into the latter’s life and community. Clare is portrayed by Ruth Negga, whose performance in the 2016 biographical film Loving earned her numerous accolades. She is also ...
André Holland plays Brian, Irene’s husband. With an impressive list of acting credits, he has been included in the critically-acclaimed movie 42, starring Chadwick Boseman, and the Academy Award-winning film Moonlight. He has also starred in shows like The Knick and American Horror Story: Roanoke, and musicals like Jitney and The Eddy. RELATED: Wha...
John is Clare’s husband, a violent racist who is unaware of his wife’s ancestry. He is brought to life by Alexander Skarsgård, who earned several awards for his supporting role in the series Big Little Lies. Before that, he has appeared in films, such as Battleship and The Legend of Tarzan. He is also included in the cast of Long Shot, Godzilla vs....
Despite being a famous white author, Hugh befriends Irene. He is portrayed by accomplished actor Bill Camp, who can be recognized for his recent roles as Harlan Eustice in Molly’s Game, Mr. Shaibel in The Queen’s Gambit, and Howard Salomon in The Outsider.
Gbenga Akinnagbe as Dave Freeland - Dave is a novelist and Felise’s husband. Akinnagbe has also played Erik Ritter in 24: Live Another Day, Chris Partlow in The Wire, and Larry Brown on in The Deuce. Antoinette Crowe-Legacy as Felise Freeland - Felise is Irene’s close friend, portrayed by Crowe-Legacy. She stars as Elise Johnson in Godfather of Har...
Nov 10, 2021 · Ashley Ware Jenkins’ portrayal of Irene Redfield’s maid Zu in Passing is only the second performance in her young career. Ware Jenkins previously appeared in the 2020 drama Green Flake ...
- Philip Sledge
Nov 15, 2021 · She sees that Rene’s doctor husband, Brian (André Holland) is Black, as well as her two sons. Her maid Zu (Ashley Ware Jenkins) is also Black. Clare explains that she needs someone to talk to.
Ashley Ware Jenkins. Actress: Passing. Ashley Ware Jenkins is known for Passing (2021), Green Flake (2020) and Power Book III: Raising Kanan (2021).
- Actress
- Ashley Ware Jenkins
Feb 3, 2021 · The story is adapted from Nella Larsen’s compact but potent 1929 novel about two girlhood friends from Chicago who reconnect later in life: Irene (played here by Tessa Thompson), has moved to New...
Oct 29, 2021 · Irene, who Clare calls “Reenie,” lives comfortably in Harlem with her Black husband, Brian (André Holland), and their two, dark-skinned sons and darker housekeeper, Zu (Ashley Ware Jenkins), with whom Irene maintains a condescending distance.
