Written and directed by Emerald Fennell,Saltburnis a darkly humorous psychological thriller. Set in 2006, the story follows Oliver Quick, an ambitious Oxford student who becomes infatuated with a wealthy classmate named Felix and attempts to ingratiate himself with Felix’s family while visiting their lavish estate, the titular Saltburn, for the summer.
Saltburnmarks the second directorial feature from Fennell after the Oscar-winning 2020 debutPromising Young Woman. As such, it’s no surprise that the film boasts a terrific ensemble of talented young movie stars, veteran character actors, Oscar nominees, up-and-comers, and the like. Without further introduction, it’s time to become familiar with the cast and characters featured inSaltburn.
10Barry Keoghan as Oliver Quick
Barry Keoghan takes center stage as Oliver Quick inSaltburn.Oliver is a devious Oxford student who earned a scholarship to attend the prestigious academy. Given his background in a poor family, Oliver does not relate to the wealthy and privileged students at Oxford and tries to fit in by befriending a classmate named Felix Catton. When Felix invites Oliver to his family’s upscale estate called Saltburnfor the summer, Oliver manipulates his way into climbing the social ladder.
Keoghan is an outstanding Irish actor who has given many powerful performances in his short career. Some fans will recall his cameo as the Joker inThe Batman, but Koeghan’s best work can be found in Yorgos Lanthimos’The Killing of a Sacred Deerand Martin McDonagh’sThe Banshees of Inisherin. With appearances inthe great World War II movie,Dunkirk, The Green Knight,andEternals,Keoghan has one of the most diverse careers in and out of Hollywood today.
9Jacob Elordi is Felix Catton
Jacob Elordi plays Felix Catton in the movie. Felix is an Oxford student who hails from an opulent and reputable family. When Felix meets Oliver at Oxford, the two become fast friends and Felix invites Oliver to spend the summer at Saltburn. Although Felix appears to have everything, Oliver soon learns that Felix’s eccentric family has many problems that money can’t fix.
Elordi is an Australian actor best known for playing Noah inThe Kissing Boothfranchise. He also playedsupporting character Nate Jacobsin HBO’s hit teen drama,Euphoria. Along withSaltburn, Elordi appeared in three additional movies in 2023, including his portrayal of Elvis Presley inPriscilla.Elordi also starred inthe crime dramaHe Went That Wayand the coming-of-age dramaThe Sweet East.
8Rosamund Pike is Lady Elspeth Catton
Rosamund Pike portrays Lady Elspeth Catton in the film. Elspeth is Felix’s mother and the wife of the British Knight Sir James Catton. When Oliver arrives at Saltburn, Elspeth is amused by his lack of social manners and expresses sympathy for his family’s tragedy. Elspeth is warm and welcoming, going so far as to plan a party for Oliver’s birthday. When she isn’t busy with her family, Elspeth often spends time with her eccentric best friend, Pamela.
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Pike is a superb English actor who famously earned an Oscar nod for her excellent performance in David Fincher’sGone Girl.Pike’s most prominent credits also includePride & Prejudice, Jack Reacher, Die Another Die,andI Care A Lot. In the past five years, Pike has taken on more TV projects than in the past, recently starring in Disney+’s adventure fantasy series,The Wheel of Time.
7Richard E. Grant is Sir James Catton
Richard E. Grant depicts Sir James Catton inSaltburn. Sir James is an esteemed Knight and the patriarch of the Catton family. James is married to Lady Elspeth and is the father of Felix and Venetia Catton. Sir James welcomes Oliver into Saltburn with open arms but is later dragged into a dangerous conspiracy involving James' nephew, Farleigh. When tragedy strikes the Catton family, things only become worse for Sir James.
Grant is a sublime English actor who came of age by starring in the top-tier British cult classic,Withnail & I. Since then, Grant has given outstanding turns in everything from Robert Altman’sGosford ParkandDoctor WhotoHudson HawkandLogan.Grant’s breathtaking performanceinCan You Ever Forgive Me?scored the acclaimed actor the first Oscar nomination of his impressive career.
6Alison Oliver is Venetia Catton
Alison Oliver plays Venetia Catton in the movie. Venetia is Felix’s sister and the daughter of Lady Elspeth and Sir James Catton. When Oliver arrives at Saltburn, he instantly seduces Venetia and sets off a torrid psychosexual cat-and-mouse game. Despite initiating the romance, Oliver blames Venetia for their sexual indiscretion and begins to manipulate the entire family as a result.
An Irish actor who is relatively new to the scene, Oliver brings a small handful of previous credits to Saltburn. In addition to a short film entitledSound & Colour,Oliver is known for starring in the TV seriesConversations with Friends, Best Interests,andFive and a Half Love Stories in an Apartment in Vilnius, Lithuania. Oliver can also be seen in the upcoming Justin Kurzel crime thriller,The Order.
5Archie Madekwe is Farleigh Start
Archie Madekwe plays Farleigh Start inSaltburn. Archie is Felix and Venetia’s cousin and the nephew of Lady Elspeth and Sir James Catton. Farleigh is an American sent to stay at Saltburn for the summer, where he meets Oliver and becomes entangled in his web of deceit. At one point, Oliver bullies and seduces Farleigh into a compromising sexual encounter that has serious consequences.
Madekwe is a fast-rising English actor who has appeared in Ari Aster’s last two movies,MidsommarandBeau is Afraid. In addition to starring in such movies asTeen Spirit, Heart of Stone, andGran Turismo, Madekwe’s most significant role belongs to his portrayal of Kofun in the acclaimedApple TV+ original series,See.
4Paul Rhys is Duncan
Paul Rhys depicts a character named Duncan in the movie. Duncan is the official butler at the sprawling Saltburn estate where the story takes place and presides over keeping the upscale property tidy and organized. When Oliver shows up at Saltburn, Duncan somewhat relates to the mysterious outsider but becomes wary of Oliver’s activity as the story progresses.
Duncan is a veteran Welsh actor with over 70 credits dating back to the mid-’80s. While best known for portraying Sydney Chaplin inChaplinand Theo Van Gogh inVincent & Theo,Duncan recently appeared inRidley Scott’sNapoleonand the Champaign biopic,Window Clicquot. As for Rhys' TV credits, the actor has played recurring parts inVictoria, DaVinci’s Demons, Lore,andA Discovery of Witches.
3Carey Mulligan is Pamela
Carey Mulligan plays the supporting role of “Poor Dear” Pamela inSaltburn. Pamela is Lady Eslpeth’s daffy best friend and trusted confidant who spends time at the Saltburn estate during the ill-fated summer marked by Oliver’s arrival. Despite the brief supporting turn, it’s clear Mulligan has a ball playing opposite Rosamund Pike and continues to work well with director Emerald Fennell after collaborating onPromising Young Womenin 2020.
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One of the most famous English actors working today, Mulligan scored her breakout film role in the 2009 coming-of-age drama,An Education, for which she earned the first of two Oscar nominations (Promising Young Womanwas the second). Mulligan’s best performances can also be found in Nicolas Winding Refn’sDrive, Steve McQueen’sShame, and Maria Schrader’sShe Said.
2Sadie Soverall is Annabel
Sadie Soverall portrays a young woman named Annabel inSaltburn. Annabel is one of Felix and Oliver’s classmates at Oxford University. Annabel is also Felix’s girlfriend when the movie begins. As Oliver connives his way into Felix’s life, he drives the couple apart by attempting to seduce Annabel after Felix stands her up, doing so even when Annabel looks down on Oliver for his impoverished background.
Soverall is an English actor who has made her presence felt on the big and small screen in short order. After logging her first credit in the 2019 mystery filmRose Plays Julie, Soverall has gone on to star as Beatrix inNetflix’s popular fantasy series,Fate: The Winx Saga. Along withSaltburnin 2023, Soverall also appeared in the horror-thriller,Little Bone Brigade. Soverall can be seen next in the upcoming Nicolas Cage horror movie,Arcadian.
1Ewan Mitchell is Michael Gavey
Ewan Mitchell plays Michael Gavey in the movie. Michael is a student at Oxford University who attends classes with Felix and Oliver. When the movie begins, Michael is the first student to approach Oliver at Oxford, who proves to be just as awkward and unpleasant to be around as Oliver is. After getting off on the wrong foot with Michael, Oliver soon befriends Felix and makes a stronger connection.
Mitchell is an up-and-coming English actor who recently wrapped a 3-episode stint as Prince Aemond Targaryen in HBO’s House of the Dragon. With plenty of period drama experience inWorld on Fire, The Last Kingdom,andThe Halcyon,Saltburnis another Mitchell project set in the past. As for projects set in the future, Mitchell can also be seen in Claire Denis' deep-space thriller,High Life.
Saltburnwill be available to stream on Prime Video from December 22nd, 2023.
