The Chair on Netflix features a cast of well-known actors as well as some up-and-coming performers in supporting roles. Fans and critics alike have praised the show since it debuted on the streaming service in August 2021. The series is the first instalment in a multi-million dollar agreement between Netflix and the project’s driving forces, David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, creators of Game of Thrones.
The six-episode Netflix TV series is co-created by another great combination, Amanda Peet and Annie Wyman, and centres on a group of professors at the fictitious Pembrook University. The Chair tracks Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim’s (Sandra Oh) challenges in adjusting to her new position as chair of the English department at Pembrook. The group, which also features Jay Duplass, Nana Mensah, Holland Taylor, David Morse, and Bob Balaban, is effectively led by Sandra Oh.
The Chair’s cast and crew are made up of many skilled people. The actors in the Netflix Original TV show all give outstanding performances, and many of them will be instantly familiar to fans. Here are some of the characters that will be included in the programme, along with a list of previous roles that each performer has played.
Bob Balaban as Professor Elliot Rentz
Dr. Rentz, a tenured professor in the English department, finds it difficult to accept the adjustments Dr. Kim is attempting to make at Pembroke. Bob Balaban, who most recently had an appearance in Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel, portrays Dr. Rentz in this prestigious role. He appears in Christopher Guest’s comedies Waiting for Guffman, Most in Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration. This is likely where he is best known. The Politician was his first Netflix TV programme appearance. Prior to those performances, Balaban was well-known for his regular part on Friends as Phoebe’s estranged father.
David Duchovny as Himself
In the series, David Duchovny makes a special cameo appearance as himself. Fans will recognise Duchovny from his numerous film and television appearances, including that of Fox Mulder in The X-Files. Along with playing in scores of other TV episodes and films, he also portrayed the lead in HBO’s Californication. Two of Duchovny’s other interests are highlighted in The Chair as well. Fans may not be aware of the actor’s other talents, which include writing and music. Duchovny has three rock albums under his belt and just launched his fourth book.
David Morse as Dean Paul Larson
At Pembroke University, Paul Larson is the department’s dean of English. Even though he gave Dr. Kim the post of Chair, he doesn’t do much to help her once she takes it. Throughout his illustrious acting career, David Morse has made appearances in a variety of noteworthy movies, such as World War Z, 12 Monkeys, The Green Mile, and the Academy Award-winning film The Hurt Locker. Morse has also made several TV appearances, including regular parts in House and, most recently, Blindspot as Hank Crawford.
Everly Carganilla as Ju-Hee “Ju Ju” Kim
Dr. Kim in The Chair’s adoptive daughter is named Ju-Hee Kim. Professor Kim’s mother, who passed away while she was a little child, inspired the name Ju-hee. The programme follows Ju-journey Hee’s as she accepts both the customs of her adoptive family and her biological past. For such a young actor to represent such a sophisticated character, Carganilla really kills it. Prior to The Chair, Carganilla most recently acted alongside Jennifer Gardner in the Netflix Original movie Yes Day. Carganilla also appeared in the 2021 horror film The Haunted Man, and in a 2015 episode of Jane The Virgin, she played baby Jane.
Holland Taylor as Professor Joan Hambling
Dr. Joan Hambling is a senior member of the English department faculty who is unappreciated. Holland Taylor has a lengthy and accomplished acting career and has played numerous parts throughout the years. The Truman Show, Legally Blonde, in which she also portrays a professor, and the vintage romantic comedy Romancing the Stone are among Holland’s best-known on-screen performances. Prior to her role in The Chair, Holland starred in the Netflix television series Hollywood and in Two And A Half Men.
Jay Duplass as Professor Bill Dobson
When The Chair opens in episode 1, Dr. Dobson, a professor in the English Department, has recently lost his wife and his daughter has just left for college. Dobson unwittingly starts the series’ central scandal after returning to the classroom. With his brother Mark, Jay Duplass forms the writing/directing duo known to audiences. The Duplass brothers made their debut as writers, directors, producers, and stars in The Puffy Chair and other independent films. The actor is also well-known for his more recent television work, which includes his performance as Josh Pfefferman, the middle child, in Transparent, one of Amazon Prime’s top LGBTQ+ TV programmes. He also played the lead in Search Party and played Duncan on The Mindy Project again.
Nana Mensah as Professor Yaz McCay
In Netflix’s The Chair, Dr. McCay, a young professor in the English department at Pembroke University, struggles to get tenure despite being adored by her students and having a much more engaging teaching style than her older, male colleagues. McCay must choose whether to stay and fight for the position she so obviously deserves or take a new job at Yale when one of her coworkers tries to prevent her from getting tenure. For her part as Dr. Camila Candelario in New Amsterdam, Mensah is well-known. The actor has also recently made two further appearances in the Netflix Original TV series Bonding and 13 Reasons Why, which may be familiar to viewers. In addition, Mensah recently made her directorial debut, acting in the 2021 movie Queen of Glory, for which the actor/director won the Tribeca Film Festival’s Best New Narrative Director prize.
Sandra Oh as Professor Ji-Yoon Kim
Ji-Yoon Kim, the professor, is portrayed by Sandra Oh. As the first woman and person of colour to serve as the chair of the English department at Pembrook University, Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim has her work cut out for her. As she struggles to realise her vision for the school while balancing the demands of both motherhood and her work, the actor depicts the role with empathy and emotion. Prior to appearing in her most recent TV series, the actor made a name for herself by playing Dr. Cristina Yang in the 2005–2014 television series Grey’s Anatomy. Sandra Oh has appeared in numerous more TV episodes and motion pictures throughout her acting career, including minor roles in Sideways, Under the Tuscan Sun, and Killing Eve. The character Debbie Grayson that Sandra Oh played in the animated series Invincible is also well-known.
Supporting Cast & Characters
Bob Stephenson as the Pembroke IT guy – In the Netflix series The Chair, his persona aids Dr. Joan Hambling in identifying the student who posted an offensive and improper online critique of her class. Stephenson has previously appeared in the films Lady Bird and Fight Club.
Ella Rubin as Dafna – a Pembroke University student studying English. For the young, aspiring writer, Dr. Dobson resembles a kind of hero. Rubin appeared as Biana Breer in an episode of the 2021 revival of Gossip Girl, and she also participated in the 2014 film The Rewrite.
Ji-yong Lee as Habi Kim – the father of Dr. Kim, who finds it difficult to connect with his granddaughter but immediately warms up to Dr. Dobson when the latter offers to watch Ju Ju. Prior to this, Lee made appearances in a number of South Korean shows, including The Quiz Show Scandal and Good Morning President.
Jordan Tyson as Capri – another of the bright young students in the English department, is portrayed by Jordan Tyson. Although this is the actor’s breakthrough role, viewers may also be familiar with him from the Netflix film Vampires vs. The Bronx.
Mallory Low as Lila – in The Chair as Dr. Dobson’s teaching assistant. Low has previously been seen in the films Ad Astra and How To Get Away With Murder.
Marcia Debonis as Laurie – serves as Dr. Kim’s assistant in the English department. Marcia may be recognisable to viewers from her prior work on the Netflix television series Orange Is The New Black. Prior to The Chair, Debonis acted in a number of major motion pictures, including 13 Going on 30.
Ron Crawford as professor McHale – The senior professor in the English department at Pembroke is Dr. Crawford, who is the oldest. Crawford costarred with Hailee Steinfeld in the Apple TV+ programme Dickinson prior to this series.
