‘A Teacher’ Cast: Meet Kate Mara, Nick Robinson, Ashley Zukerman and all the stars on the FX on Hulu show
A love affair is like a short story — it has a beginning, a middle, and an end. ‘A Teacher’ follows 30-something Claire Wilson (Kate Mara), a young teacher at a suburban Texas high school caught in an affair with her 17-year-old student, Eric Walker (Nick Robinson) as they navigate the complexities and consequences of the predatory relationship.
Back in February 2014, murmurs of the miniseries first came about when it was revealed that Hannah Fidell's 2013 independent drama film ‘A Teacher’ would be adapted for television by HBO. In the movie, the central character was Diana Watts, played by Lindsay Burdge, and Eric Tull's character was essayed by Will Brittain.
Fidell not only penned down and created the series but also directed it alongside Gillian Robespierre and Andrew Neel. Kate Mara, who is starring in the series, is also an executive producer, along with Michael Costigan, Louise Shore, Jason Bateman, Daniel Brocklehurst and Fidell. Here's a glimpse of all the actors who star in the 10-episodic series.
Kate Mara as Claire Crystal
Portrayed by Kate Rooney Mara, Claire Wilson is a passionate English teacher starting a new job at Westerbrook High School. Despite being married to her college sweetheart and living a comfortable suburban life, everything is upended when a bright student in one of her classes asks her to tutor him for the SATs. Born and raised in Bedford, New York, Mara began acting at 14 and made her debut when she was 15 in Sydney Pollack's ‘Random Hearts’. She has also starred in films like ‘Brokeback Mountain’ (2005), ‘We Are Marshall’ (2006), ‘The Martian’ (2015) and ‘Fantastic Four’ (2015). She has also been seen in TV shows like ‘American Horror Story: Murder House’ and ‘Pose’.
Nick Robinson as Eric Walker
Essayed by Nick Robinson, Eric Walker is a kind-eyed, charming high-schooler with something to prove. As a middle-class kid attending a school mainly populated by more affluent students, he often finds that the pressures of life and school are different for him compared to those of his friends. Named in Forbes' “30 Under 30”, Robinson made his debut at eleven in the stage adaptation of Charles Dickens' ‘A Christmas Carol’ and has since starred in several films like ‘Jurassic World’ (2015), ‘Love, Simon’ (2018), and ‘Native Son’ (2019).
Ashley Zukerman as Matt Nicholas
Ashley Zukerman plays Matt Nicholas, who is Claire's supportive and loving husband. He works in medical equipment sales but strives to recapture his own dreams of playing in a successful band again.
Born in California and raised in Australia, he is known for his roles in ‘Rush’, ‘The Code’, ‘Designated Survivor’ and ‘Succession’. Back in March, it was announced that Zukerman was cast to portray Robert Langdon in the NBC drama pilot 'Langdon', which is based on Dan Brown's thriller novel ‘The Lost Symbol’.
Marielle Scott as Kathryn Sanders
Portrayed by Marielle Scott, Kathryn Sanders is a carefree and funny French teacher at Westbrook High who quickly becomes Claire's closest friend at work. Scott played a key role in Netflix's 'You' and HBO's 'Room 104' along with an appearance in Greta Gerwig's film 'Lady Bird'. She will soon be seen in Universal's 'All My Life' opposite Harry Shum Jr and Jessica Rothe.
Shane Harper as Logan Davis
Portrayed by Shane Harper, Logan Davis is one of Eric's closest friends who comes from a wealthy family. He is your classic jock/bro teenager full of hormones and a desire to party, but deep down a sensitive kid.
A Southern California native, Harper has established himself as a triple threat — singer, actor and dancer. After working as a professional dancer since he was 13, the actor has starred as Spencer on ‘Good Luck Charlie’ and Josh Wheaton in the independent Christian film ‘God's Not Dead’. What's more, he also released his self-titled debut album on February 14, 2012.
Adam David Thompson as Nate Wilson
Essayed by Adam David Thompson, Nate Wilson is Claire's older brother who works as a police officer in the area where she teaches. Kind, empathetic and trusting, he plays the tough guy when needed but finds it hard to deny his sister help when she is in need.
With appearances in television shows and films like ‘The Gifted’, ‘The Sinner’ and M Night Shyamalan's ‘Glass’, he has gained much recognition and was also cast in ‘Vampires vs The Bronx’ after filming ‘The Day Shall Come’ opposite Anna Kendrick and Rupert Friend.
Dylan Schmid as Josh Smith
Portrayed by Dylan Schmid, Josh Smith is another of Eric's closest friends. Although a bit of stoner who follows his own path, he is bright and will most likely make it into an Ivy League school.
The actor begged his mother to submit an audition when he was just six years old. For eight years, he immersed himself in the art and made his debut in ABC's ‘Once Upon A Time’ and has starred in several shows like Fox's ‘Fringe’, Freeform's ‘Beyond’, Hulu's ‘Shut Eye’, Netflix's adaptation of the Stephen King novella ‘1922’.
Rya Ingrid Kihlstedt as Sandy Walker
Sandy Walker, essayed by actress Rya Ingrid Kihlstedt, is Eric's hard-working middle-class mother who has been raising him and his brothers on her own. She is warm, sharp and loves her sons very much, and has a deep gratitude and appreciation for Eric who she relies on considerably to keep their home together. She has been a recurring actor in Cinemax's ‘Jett’, The CW's ‘Charmed’, Freeform's ‘The Bold Type’, Marvel's ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’, Amazon's ‘Bosch’, NBC's ‘Heroes Reborn’ and a guest star on Paramount's ‘Yellowstone’.
Other actors in the series include: Camila Perez as Alison, Eric's socially conscious and well-meaning ex-girlfriend; Cameron Moulène as Cody, a frat boy and Logan's older brother; Ciara Bravo as Mary and Charlie Zeltzer as Phil Walker, Eric’s little brother.
‘A Teacher’ premieres on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 from 3 am ET on FX on Hulu with three back-to-back episodes. More episodes in the 10-episodic series will follow every week starting from Tuesday, November 17, 2020.