The Expanse focuses on a specific group of characters, meaning I completely forgot that these major Hollywood actors appeared in guest roles. The Expanse season 6’s abrupt ending to the show still thankfully provided an end point to the series. The Expanse‘s main cast got one last chance to shine despite the series ending when only six of the 10 books on which the show was based had been adapted.

Since the show’s ending in 2022, The Expanse‘s main cast has branched out. Some actors have swapped one sci-fi show for another, while others have moved on to other genres. Across six seasons, The Expanse‘s main focus rested on the shoulders of characters like James Holden, Naomi Nagata, Amos Burton, Camina Drummer, Chrisjen Avasarala, and Bobbie Draper. With such a clear distinction between these characters and supporting players, it was easy for some of the latter to slip through the cracks across The Expanse‘s six seasons. As a result, I cannot believe I forgot some major actors played a part.

5

Elizabeth Mitchell

As Anna Volovodov

Perhaps the biggest role on this list is that of Anna Volovodov, played by Elizabeth Mitchell. That said, it is still surprising on rewatch to see Mitchell – known primarily for her role in Lost and, more recently, Outer Banks – appear in the show, given that Anna’s role is confined to only one of The Expanse‘s six seasons. Anna Volovodov was introduced in The Expanse season 3 as a pastor within the UN.

Anna’s role in The Expanse season 3 was highly important, as she was instrumental in removing corrupt captain Sadavir Errinwright from his position after he caused a war between Earth and Mars. Later in The Expanse season 3, Anna convinced the Belters, Earthers, and Martians to unite in common cause to stop the Protomolecule station from destroying everyone. After this season, though, the story of The Expanse shifts dramatically, leaving Anna in the past and rendering Mitchell’s appearance a continuously surprising one on rewatch.

4

Jonathan Banks

As The XO Of The Canterbury

Undoubtedly a bigger surprise guest appearance than that of Elizabeth Mitchell in The Expanse is Jonathan Banks. Banks is now a household name in the world of modern TV, primarily due to his role as Mike Ehrmantraut in Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, and El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie. Beyond this, Banks has had an illustrious TV career, making him an immediately recognizable actor in most shows.

This makes his blink-and-you’ll-miss-it appearance in The Expanse‘s very first episode even more baffling and surprising. Banks appears as the XO of The Canterbury, with the character not even receiving an actual name in his brief scene. Banks’ XO is notably insane, later being confined before being presumed ᴅᴇᴀᴅ when The Canterbury is destroyed. Despite being a mᴀssive name in modern TV, Banks’ role in The Expanse is easy to forget given its brevity.

3

Simu Liu

As Paolo Mayer

Simu Liu has become a Hollywood star in recent years, known for his roles as a Ken in Barbie, Jung Kim in Kim’s Convenience, and the тιтular superhero in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings which he will reprise in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday. Before all of this, though, Liu played Paolo Mayer in The Expanse season 3, episode 10, Mayer was tasked with arresting James Holden, later being shredded down to his molecular anatomy by the Protomolecule. Due to the quick death Mayer suffered, Liu’s role in The Expanse is often forgotten.

2

Jared Harris

As Anderson Dawes

Jared Harris is a big, classically trained actor, leading his appearance in The Expanse to still come as a surprise. Harris’ role of Anderson Dawes was confined to The Expanse seasons 1 and 2, which are often regarded some of the weaker installments of the show. As such, many will forget Harris played an important role as Dawes, a member of the Outer Planets Alliance who often fought for the Belters on the stage of galactic politics. Harris is primarily known for his roles in Mad Men, The Crown, and Chernobyl.

1

Jay Hernandez

As Dimitri Havelock

Jay Hernandez is a prominent character actor, though has been known for some bigger roles in Crazy/Beautiful, Bad Moms, Suicide Squad, and Thomas Magnum in the Magnum P.I. reboot. In The Expanse season 1, Hernandez has a small role as Joe Miller’s police partner on the space port of Ceres. Havelock appears in the first few episodes of The Expanse, working alongside Miller to keep peace in the Belt. After being injured, Havelock’s role becomes nonexistent, making Hernandez another surprise inclusion of The Expanse.