'The Girls on the Bus': Cast and character guide on who’s playing who in Max's political-drama series
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'The Girls on the Bus', Max's original series featuring Melissa Benoist, Carla Gugino, and more is all set to release on Thursday, March 14, 2024.
While questions linger about whether characters in 'The Girls on the Bus' are drawn from real-life people, the show's creator Amy Chozick, and American journalist Hunter S. Thompson are the only two characters directly based on individuals.
Premiering during the backdrop of a presidential election year in 2024, the journalism-based television show offers viewers a timely opportunity to draw parallels between its narrative and real-life political dynamics.
In the meantime, here's a cast and character guide to help you know who's who in 'The Girls on the Bus'.
Melissa Benoist As Sadie McCarthy
In 'The Girls on the Bus,' Melissa Benoist, 35, takes on the role of Sadie McCarthy, the lead character. Sadie is portrayed as an optimistic young journalist who idealizes the era of the 'Boys of The Bus' and Hunter S. Thompson.
Following a setback during the previous election cycle, Sadie seeks redemption and aspires for a chance to make her way to the White House.
Benoist first rose to prominence through her role as Marley Rose in the latter seasons of 'Glee', where she got to show off her talents as a triple threat. She is best known for starring as the titular character in 'Supergirl'.
Natasha Behnam As Lola
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In 'The Girls on the Bus', Natasha Behnam's character Lola serves as the representation of Gen Z. As the youngest among the four journalists aboard the bus, Lola is also the least experienced.
Despite her penchant for vanity and frequent use of social media, Lola is portrayed as deeply passionate and dedicated to her work, challenging the perception that she may not take her job seriously.
Beyond acting, Behnam is a comedian, director, and writer, having earned her Bachelor of Arts from Loyola Marymount University. Her writing portfolio includes credits for 'Blake & Emily Get Famous' and 'Searching for Josh Brolin in the Apocalypse'.
Christina Elmore As Kimberlyn
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Within 'The Girls on the Bus', Christina Elmore, 36, embodies the character of Kimberlyn, a journalist representing Liberty Direct News, a fictional counterpart to Fox News.
Kimberlyn's divergent political viewpoints occasionally lead to conflicts with her peers aboard the bus, as they strive to navigate their differences and seek common ground.
Elmore has few credits, but 'The Girls on the Bus' isn’t her TV debut.
She studied African American Studies at Harvard and later earned her Master of Fine Arts in acting from the American Conservatory Theater. Elmore's film debut was in 2013’s 'Fruitvale Station,' followed by five seasons on 'The Last Ship.'
Carla Gugino As Grace
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In 'The Girls on the Bus', Carla Gugino portrays Grace, a seasoned journalist with decades of experience on the bus. She takes on a mentor role to Sadie, forming a close bond with her during the previous campaign trail.
Gugino, 52, stands as the most experienced among the four lead actresses in 'The Girls on the Bus'.
She marked her acting debut in 1989's 'Troop Beverly Hills' and has since graced numerous films and television series, including the 'Spy Kids' trilogy, 'Night at the Museum,' 'Watchmen', 'Gunpowder Milkshake,' 'Karen Sisco,' and 'Threshold'.
Notably, Gugino has gained recognition for her recent work in Netflix projects alongside Mike Flanagan.
Brandon Scott As Loafers
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In 'The Girls on the Bus', Brandon Scott's character goes by the nickname Loafers, bestowed upon him by Grace and Sadie.
Loafers is Sadie's former romantic interest, with whom she had a complex relationship during the last election cycle before abruptly cutting ties. Now serving as a press secretary for a presidential candidate, their past connection complicates matters for Sadie.
Brandon O'Neil Scott, an American actor and producer, boasts a diverse portfolio spanning film, television, and video game voice acting.
He graduated from New York's Tisch School of the Arts and has made guest appearances in numerous crime drama series, along with a stint on 'Grey's Anatomy.'
Scott's voice talents were showcased in Disney's animated film 'Wreck-It Ralph' as Kohut and the video game 'The Last of Us' as Henry. He's since landed notable roles in popular TV series like 'Dead to Me'.
Supporting cast and characters of 'The Girls on the Bus'
Hetienne Park as Felicity Walker
Hetienne Park, 51, gained prominence for her roles in the films 'Bride Wars' and 'Blindspot', as well as the television series 'Hannibal'.
In 'The Girls on the Bus', she portrays Felicity Walker, a fictional character once considered the frontrunner for becoming the first female president before an unexpected defeat in the last election.
Scott Foley as Hot White Guy
Scott Foley, 51, has garnered recognition for his performances in various television series such as 'The Unit', 'Scrubs', 'Felicity', 'Scandal', and 'Grey’s Anatomy'.
In 'The Girls on the Bus', he portrays a charismatic Kansas mayor and veteran, despite his unfortunate position at the bottom of the polls. Known only by the nickname bestowed upon him by Sadie, he is referred to as Hot White Guy.
Mark Consuelos as The Action Star
Mark Consuelos, 52, rose to prominence with his portrayal of Mateo Santos in the long-running soap opera 'All My Children', which remains one of his most notable roles.
His diverse credits include appearances in 'Missing', 'American Horror Story: Asylum', 'Pitch', and 'Riverdale'.
Consuelos takes on the role of The Action Star in 'The Girls on the Bus', a character with no political background who enters the presidential race following a Twitter poll indicating 46% of Americans would support him regardless of party affiliation.
Griffin Dunne as Bruce Turner
Griffin Dunne, 68, is a versatile talent recognized with a Golden Globe nomination for his work as an actor, director, and producer.
He has showcased his skills in acclaimed films such as 'An American Werewolf in London', 'After Hours', 'Dallas Buyers Club', and the television series 'This is Us'.
In 'The Girls on the Bus', Dunne portrays Bruce Turner, Sadie's editor, who passionately advocates for her career.
Leslie Fray as Nellie Carmichael
French actress Leslie Fray, 34, has made a name for herself through notable appearances in 'Reacher' and 'The Sinner', with 'The Girls on the Bus' marking one of her significant television endeavors to date.
Fray embodies the character of Nellie Carmichael, one of Kimberlyn's colleagues at Liberty Direct News, serving as her primary competition.
PJ Sosko as Hunter S. Thompson
Actor PJ Sosko entered the scene in 1999 with his role in the comedy 'Jane', marking his debut in the industry. Since then, he has showcased his talent across various television shows, films, and video games.
In 'The Girls on the Bus', Sosko portrays the real-life journalist Hunter S. Thompson, making him the sole cast member signifying a genuine person. As Sadie's greatest inspiration, she regularly encounters an imaginary version of him.
Kyle Vincent Terry as Eric Jordan
Kyle Vincent Terry, recognized for his roles in 'Gotham', 'For Life', and 'Power Book II: Ghost', takes on the character of Eric in 'The Girls on the Bus'. Eric is portrayed as Kimberlyn's recently engaged partner.
Joanna Gleason as Caroline Bennett
Joanna Gleason, 73, is a seasoned Canadian-American actress and singer, celebrated for her extensive contributions to both stage and screen. Notably, she clinched a Tony Award for her role in the original Broadway rendition of 'Into The Woods'.
In 'The Girls on the Bus,' Gleason represents the character of Caroline Bennett, widely recognized as the frontrunner in the race.
How to stream 'The Girls on the Bus'?
'The Girls on the Bus' will be exclusively available on Max from Thursday, March 14. Don't have a Max subscription? Don't worry, we've got you covered!
Accessing Max is made easy with subscription plans featuring both monthly and yearly billing choices.
The available Max plans and their corresponding prices include the 'With Ads' plan at $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year.
The 'Ad-Free' plan at $15.99 per month or $149.99 per year, and the 'Ultimate Ad-Free' plan is available at $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year.
'The Girls on the Bus' trailer