The Purge: Election Year is one of 2016’s biggest horror movies, bringing a compelling cast to the long-running dystopian genre franchise. The Purge franchise began in 2013, offering a combination of horror, action, and light political commentary. The third film, Election Year, is often considered one of the best Purge movies, expanding on the lore by examining how the ruling class views Purge night. With the year’s real-world election occurring just months later, the film made a concerted effort to explore timely themes regarding American life.

While the film was released in 2016, Election Year actually occurs much later on The Purge timeline, set in a dystopian future during the year 2040. With decades since the first Purge occurred, the existence of the annual bloodbath is a central political topic for the movie’s fictional election. This allows characters from The Purge: Anarchy to return, including star Frank Grillo as the lead. However, much of the cast is fresh to the movie, meaning new faces for viewers to familiarize themselves with. James DeMonaco also returned to write and direct the film.

Frank Grillo as Leo Barnes

Born June 8, 1965

• Active Since: 1992

Actor: Frank Grillo has played starring and supporting roles in movies and TV shows since his first role in the 1992 film The Mambo Kings. With a background in martial arts, Grillo has found a niche in physical roles, including several action movies, including The Purge franchise, Zero Dark Thirty, Minority Report, and many others. He’s appeared as a villain in the MCU’s Captain America films and will soon be starring in the DCU as Rick Flag Sr. He’s already voiced the character in Creature Commandos, and he’ll appear in live-action for James Gunn’s 2025 Superman movie.

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Character: Leo Barnes is the main protagonist of The Purge: Anarchy and The Purge: Election Year. He’s a former LAPD Police Sergeant who’s now Charlie Roan’s head of security.

Elizabeth Mitchell as Senator Charlie Roan

Born March 27, 1970

• Active Since: 1992

Actor: Elizabeth Mitchell is an American actress who’s best known for her Emmy-nominated role as Juliet in Lost, which is widely regarded as one of the best TV shows of all time. Mitchell began working over a decade before appearing on Lost, but she’s found more career success after the fact. She’s had roles on popular TV shows like ER, Once Upon a Time, The Expanse, and Outer Banks, as well as a main role in Tim Allen’s The Santa Clauses movie and expanded TV series.

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Character: Senator Charlie Roan is a presidential candidate taking a harsh stance against the Purge.

Betty Gabriel as Laney Rucker

Born January 6, 1981

• Active Since: 2004

Actor: Betty Gabriel is an American actress from Washington, D.C., who’s best known for her roles in horror films like The Purge: Election Year and Get Out. She had several minor roles before finding career success with The Purge sequel, which allowed her to find parts on prominent TV shows like Westworld and Jordan Peele’s The Twilight Zone. She’s also been in shows like Clickbait, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, and Manhunt. In 2025, she can be seen in the movie Novocaine, starring Jack Quaid.

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Character: Laney is an EMT and former purger who ends up joining with Leo’s team.

Mykelti Williamson as Joe Dixon

Born March 4, 1957

• Active Since: 1978

Actor: Mykelti Williamson is an American actor from St. Louis, Missouri, who’s best known for his role as Bubba Blue in 1994’s Best Picture-winning movie Forrest Gump. He’s continued to appear in supporting roles in various movies and shows since, including Michael Mann’s crime epic, Heat, The Final Destination, Ali, and Denzel Washington’s Fences. In 2024, he appeared in an episode of Prime Video’s successful video game adaptation, Fallout, and he’s also had guest roles in dozens of well-known network dramas like Hawaii Five-0 and Chicago P.D.

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Character: Joe is a bodega owner who joins Leo’s team during Purge night.

The Purge: Election Year Supporting Cast & Characters

Terry Serpico as Earl Danzinger: Terry Serpico is an American actor who’s appeared in various movies and TV shows since the ’90s, including Donnie Brasco, The Departed, Michael Clayton, and Hannibal.

Edwin Hodge as Dante Bishop: Edwin Hodge is an American actor best known for his role as the Bloody Stranger, Dante Bishop, in the first three Purge films.

Kyle Secor as Minister Edwidge Owens: Kyle Secor has acted in films and shows since the late 1980s, including The Flash, American Horror Story, and many more.

Joseph Julian Soria: Joseph Julian Soria is an American actor best known for his role in the Lifetime series Army Wives. He’s also been in movies like Fast & Furious and shows like Dexter.