A Man on the Inside cast: Who's who in the new Netflix series
A Man on the Inside cast features Ted Danson as Charles Nieuwendyk, Mary Elizabeth Ellis as Emily, Lilah Richcreek Estrada as Julie, and Stephanie Beatriz as Didi. The Netflix series follows a retired professor who goes undercover at a retirement home to solve a mystery.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- A Man on the Inside cast brings together both veteran and rising actors, led by Emmy winner Ted Danson in the starring role.
- The main cast includes Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Lilah Richcreek Estrada, and Stephanie Beatriz.
- Season 2 expands the ensemble with new cast members like Mary Steenburgen, Gary Cole, Max Greenfield, and Jason Mantzoukas in recurring roles.
- Ted Danson plays Charles Nieuwendyk, a retired professor who agrees to spy on residents at a retirement home under the guise of a new tenant.
- Mary Elizabeth Ellis portrays Charles's real daughter Emily, who struggles between protecting her father and supporting his unusual mission.
- The series blends humour, mystery, and emotional drama, with creator Mike Schur drawing inspiration from the 2020 documentary The Mole Agent.
A Man on the Inside cast
Netflix's A Man on the Inside brings a strong ensemble of experienced actors and fresh talent. The show blends humour, mystery, and heartfelt moments as it follows a retired man navigating an undercover assignment in a senior home. Here is a detailed look at who's who in the new Netflix series:
| Name | Role played |
| Ted Danson | Charles Nieuwendyk |
| Mary Elizabeth Ellis | Emily |
| Mary Elizabeth Ellis | Julie Kovalenko |
| Stephanie Beatriz | Didi Santos-Cordero |
| Mary Steenburgen | Yvonne |
| Susan Ruttan | Gladys Montrose |
| Stephen McKinley Henderson | Calbert Graham |
1. Ted Danson
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- Date of birth: December 29, 1947
- Profession: American actor
- Role played: Charles Nieuwendyk
Ted Danson is a celebrated American actor with a career spanning over four decades. He rose to fame playing Sam Malone in the hit sitcom Cheers, a role that earned him two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Golden Globes. He later starred in Becker, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and The Good Place.
Ted is one of the main cast of A Man on the Inside, playing Charles Nieuwendyk. He is a widowed, retired engineering professor who agrees to go undercover at Pacific View Retirement Community. His mission is to investigate a stolen ruby necklace. Along the way, he navigates new friendships, suspicions, and personal reflection within the senior community setting.
2. Mary Elizabeth Ellis
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- Date of birth: May 11, 1979
- Profession: American actress ctress
- Role played: Emily
Mary Elizabeth Ellis is an American actress best known for her recurring role as The Waitress on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, a character she has played since the show's debut in 2005. She has also appeared in New Girl, Santa Clarita Diet, and major films like Licorice Pizza (2021) and Red One (2024.
Ellis plays Emily, the adult daughter of Charles Nieuwendyk. Emily tries to be supportive, even as she worries about her father's involvement in an undercover investigation. Her character adds warmth and realism to the emotional family dynamic in the show.
3. Lilah Richcreek Estrada
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- Date of birth: July 26, 1989
- Profession: American actress
- Role played: Julie Kovalenko
Lilah Richcreek Estrada is an American television actress known for comedy and drama. She has appeared in episodes of Grace and Frankie, The Wonder Years (2022 reboot), and Dave. Most notably, she portrayed Dr. Nellie Cuevas in Chicago Med from 2022 to 2023.
In A Man on the Inside, she plays Julie Kovalenko, a sharp and resourceful private investigator who recruits Charles for an undercover assignment. She poses as his daughter while managing the operation behind the scenes. Julie's role is central to the show's mystery plot, often balancing professional focus with moments of dry humour and tension.
4. Stephanie Beatriz
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- Date of birth: February 10, 1981
- Profession: Actress (television, film, and voice)
- Role played: Didi Santos-Cordero
Stephanie Beatriz is an American actress best known for her breakout role as Detective Rosa Diaz in the NBC sitcom Brooklyn Nine-Nine. She also voiced Mirabel Madrigal in Disney's animated hit Encanto (2021) and has appeared in In the Heights, Twisted Metal, and The Lego Movie 2.
In A Man on the Inside, Beatriz plays Didi Santos-Cordero, the managing director of Pacific View Retirement Community. Her character is meticulous, observant, and increasingly suspicious of Charles's true purpose. As tensions rise in the facility, Didi becomes a central obstacle in the unfolding investigation.
5. Mary Steenburgen
Source: Getty Images
- Date of birth: February 8, 1953
- Profession: Actress, singer, comedian, and songwriter
- Role played: Yvonne
Mary Steenburgen is an Academy Award-winning actress who has appeared in a wide range of films and television shows since the late 1970s. She won an Oscar for her role in Melvin and Howard (1980) and has starred in Step Brothers, The Proposal, and The Last Man on Earth.
Mary stars as Yvonne, a sophisticated and sharp-witted resident of Pacific View Retirement Community. Yvonne offers both helpful insights and pointed questions that challenge Charles's cover. Her character adds depth to the senior community and is key to several of the series' twists.
6. Susan Ruttan
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- Date of birth: September 16, 1948
- Profession: American actress
- Role played: Gladys Montrose
Susan Ruttan is an American actress widely recognised for her Emmy-nominated role as Roxanne Melman in L.A. Law. She also appeared in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Third Rock from the Sun.
Who is Gladys in Man on the Inside? She is Charles's neighbour at Pacific View Retirement Community and once worked as a costume designer. Her occasional memory lapses and observations provide key insights for Charles's investigation and emotional connection with the residents.
7. Stephen McKinley Henderson
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- Date of birth: December 31, 1949
- Profession: American actor
- Role played: Calbert Graham
Stephen McKinley Henderson is a veteran American actor. He trained at Juilliard School for acting before becoming a resident member of the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis from 1976 to 1981. He has appeared in films such as Lincoln, Lady Bird, and Dune.
He plays Calbert Graham, a solitary longtime resident who becomes Charles's closest friend at Pacific View. Through their outings around San Francisco and close conversations, Calbert helps Charles explore grief, companionship, and what it means to age with dignity. Other cast members include:
- Eugene Cordero as Joel Piñero
- Sally Struthers as Virginia Foldau
- Marc Evan Jackson as Evan Cubbler
- Kerry O'Malley as Megan Chagughlaight-Accourse
- Margaret Avery as Florence Joanne Whistbrook
- John Getz as Elliott Haverhill
- Susan Ruttan as Gladys Montrose
- Veronica Cartwright as Beverly Bankl
- Miles Fowler as Jaylen LaMont
- Clyde Kusatsu as Grant Yokohama
- Stephen McKinley Henderson as Calbert Graham
- Lori Tan Chinn as Susan Yang
- Jama Williamson as Beatrice Vanbeck
- Nelson Franklin as Rick Whuzmarc
Frequently asked questions
- What is A Man on the Inside? It's a 2025 Netflix mystery-comedy about an older man who goes undercover in a senior home to solve a theft case.
- Who created A Man on the Inside? Michael Schur and Matt Murray created A Man on the Inside.
- Is Man on the Inside a true story? Yes. It is based on the Chilean documentary The Mole Agent, where Sergio goes undercover in a nursing home to investigate possible elder abuse.
- Who stole the necklace in the Man on the Inside? In the final episode, it is revealed that Gladys Montrose, unintentionally took the missing heirloom necklace and other items due to dementia.
- Has A Man on the Inside been renewed for Season 2? Netflix officially renewed the series for Season 2 in December 2024. Filming began in May 2025, and a 2025 release is expected.
- Where is the series set and filmed? The story is set in San Francisco, at a fictional facility called Pacific View Retirement Community. Some scenes were filmed in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
- What themes does A Man on the Inside explore? The show explores themes like ageing, memory loss, loneliness, and inter-generational relationships.
Final word
A Man on the Inside cast includes Ted Danson, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Lilah Richcreek Estrada, and Stephanie Beatriz. The cast is a well-balanced mix of experienced performers and fresh faces, led by Ted Danson in a standout role. The ensemble delivers both humour and passion, helping the series explore serious themes through an engaging mystery.
Are you looking for more information about the cast of Murder in a Small Town? Tuko.co.ke shared an informative article about the talented actors and actresses featured on the TV series.
The cast of Murder in a Small Town delivers a masterful performance by blending their unique talents to create a captivating series. From veterans such as Rossif Sutherland to fresh faces like Mya Lowe, the ensemble cast breathes life into the characters. Read the article to learn more about the cast.
Proofreading by Masolo Mabonga, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
