The stars of a hugely successful musical biopic, the cast of Bohemian Rhapsody has a remarkable resemblance to their real-life counterparts. Queen, the legendary British rock band, etched an unforgettable mark on the music landscape with their eclectic sound and flamboyant stage presence, particularly that of their charismatic frontman, Freddie Mercury. Formed in the early 1970s, the band’s innovative approach to rock music ensured their legacy. Recognizing the band’s cultural impact, Bohemian Rhapsody offers a cinematic glimpse into the complexities of Mercury’s life.

Though Bohemian Rhapsody was criticized for some inaccuracies, the film’s box office success was phenomenal, grossing over $900 million worldwide. Reviews were mixed, but the film nabbed several Oscars, including Best Actor for Rami Malek’s portrayal of Freddie Mercury. The film recreated the band’s iconic performances and intimate moments, earning accolades for portraying the empathetic depiction of Mercury’s struggles. The cast of Bohemian Rhapsody achieved this by completely disappearing into their roles.

Rami Malek As Freddie Mercury

Date Of Birth: May 12, 1981

• Active Since: 2004

Character: Rami Malek’s transformation into Freddie Mercury, aka Farrokh Bulsara, was a cinematic feat, capturing Mercury’s unique visual flair and complex persona. Malek’s dedication to the role was evident as he painstakingly studied Mercury’s performances and mannerisms. His transformation included adopting Mercury’s iconic look and mastering his unique stage presence, capturing the essence of the legendary frontman’s charisma and vulnerability. However, this role was a significant departure from Malek’s other movies.

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Actor: Before joining the Bohemian Rhapsody cast, Malek was best known for his Emmy-winning performance as the introverted hacker Elliot Alderson in Mr. Robot. His other notable roles include Pharoah Ahkmenrah in the Night at the Museum series and Clark Mᴀssey in Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master. Following Bohemian Rhapsody, the actor starred as Jim Baxter in the crime thriller The Little Things, played the villain Lyutsifer Safin in the No Time to Die cast, and featured in Oppenheimer as David Hill.

Gwilym Lee As Brian May

Date Of Birth: November 24, 1983

• Active Since: 1997

Character: Gwilym Lee’s portrayal of Brian May in the Bohemian Rhapsody cast was a testament to his deep understanding of the man and an example of his thorough acting. May, known for his astrophysics background and articulate speech, was more than just a guitarist for Queen; he was a key creative force behind their music.

Lee’s performance brought this aspect of May’s personality to the forefront, and Lee’s portrayal was not just about imitating May’s look and sound, but it was about capturing the spirit of a musician who was both an artist and an intellectual. Lee perfectly embodied the essence of May’s quiet intelligence and thoughtful nature.

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Actor: Lee’s dedication to the role was evident in how he mastered the guitar to mimic May’s unique playing style (via Guitar World), a crucial aspect of bringing authenticity to his performance. This commitment to realism was a hallmark of Lee’s acting approach, seen in his previous projects with roles like Samuel Castell in Jamestown and Charlie Nelson in the detective series Midsomer Murders, where he displayed a profound ability to immerse himself in the character. He also starred in The Great from 2020 to 2023.

Ben Hardy As Roger Taylor

Date Of Birth: January 2, 1991

• Active Since: 2012

Character: Ben Hardy’s portrayal of Roger Taylor in the cast of Bohemian Rhapsody effectively captured the essence of the Queen drummer, showcasing Hardy’s versatility as an actor. While Hardy’s physical transformation for the role was notable, it was his energetic and nuanced performance that truly brought Taylor’s character to life. Hardy managed to convey Taylor’s flamboyant yet grounded persona, a drummer known not just for his musical talent but for his vocal contributions to the band.

Beyond adapting Taylor’s iconic look, Hardy immersed himself in the role by learning to play the drums (via Daily Express), showcasing a commitment similar to his co-stars. This level of dedication was crucial in recreating Queen’s electrifying performances with authenticity. Hardy’s portrayal also highlighted Taylor’s role in the band’s dynamics, portraying him as both a talented musician and a vital part of Queen’s unique chemistry.

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Actor: Bohemian Rhapsody marks a shift from Hardy’s earlier roles, such as the brooding Peter Beale in the British soap opera EastEnders and the winged mutant Angel in the X-Men: Apocalypse cast. In both these roles, Hardy demonstrated his ability to adapt to different genres and characters, a versatility that proved invaluable in his performance as Taylor. Hardy also appeared in 6 Underground as Four and Love at First Sight as Oliver.

Joe Mazzello As John Deacon

Date Of Birth: September 21, 1983

• Active Since: 1990

Character: Joe Mazzello’s portrayal of John Deacon, the bᴀssist of Queen, in Bohemian Rhapsody was a nuanced and understated performance that captured the essence of the quietest and perhaps the most enigmatic band member. This skill was evident in his portrayal of Deacon, where he effectively communicated the bᴀssist’s reserved nature and pivotal role in the band’s dynamic.

Mazzello’s transformation involved not only adopting the bᴀssist’s look but also understanding and conveying his temperament. In addition to his physical resemblance to Deacon, Mazzello brought a sense of authenticity to the role by learning to play the bᴀss (via Backstage), mirroring Deacon’s musicianship and style.

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Actor: Mazzello started acting as a child, playing Tim Murphy in Steven Spielberg’s Jurᴀssic Park. He has since developed a talent for bringing depth and subtlety to his characters. His past performances, notably on The Social Network, where he played Dustin Moskovitz, co-founder of Facebook, showcased his ability to portray intelligent, complex characters. This experience lent itself well to his role as Deacon, allowing Mazzello to explore the subtleties of a character who was a key contributor to Queen’s songwriting and success.

Aiden Gillen As John Reid

Date Of Birth: April 24, 1968

• Active Since: 1981

Character: Aiden Gillen’s portrayal of John Reid in the cast of Bohemian Rhapsody was a nuanced interpretation of the band’s first manager, showcasing Gillen’s ability to embody complex characters. Gillen brought a sense of shrewdness and sophistication to the character of Reid, capturing the manager’s business acumen and the intricacies of his relationship with Queen. His performance highlighted the delicate proportion between Queen’s artistic vision and the commercial realities of the music industry.

Gillen’s experience in playing characters who navigate complex social and political landscapes was evident in his portrayal of Reid, too. Gillen’s ability to portray multifaceted characters was crucial for this role, as John Reid was pivotal in Queen’s rise to fame. His portrayal went beyond the stereotypical music manager, instead offering a glimpse into Reid’s impact on the band’s early career and his challenges in steering them toward success.

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Actor: Known for his roles as Petyr Baelish in Game of Thrones and Tommy Carcetti in The Wire, this part was a departure from Gillen’s previous characters, such as the cunning Bill Wilson in The Dark Knight Rises and the ambitious John Boy Power in Love/Hate. However, the common thread in all these roles is Gillen’s skill in bringing to life characters with complex motives and a strategic mindset.

Allen Leech As Paul Prenter

Date Of Birth: May 18, 1981

• Active Since: 1998

Character: Allan Leech’s portrayal of Paul Prenter in the cast of Bohemian Rhapsody is a compelling depiction of a controversial figure in Freddie Mercury’s life. Leech brought depth to the character of Prenter, Mercury’s personal manager and friend. His performance captured the intricacies of his relationship with Mercury, highlighting their conflicting loyalties and personal struggles. Leech’s ability to play multifaceted characters was evident in the role, where he conveyed the charm and manipulative aspects of Prenter’s personality.

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Actor: Allen Leech is best known for his role as Tom Branson in the Downton Abbey cast, He actually got his start in acting on the theatrical stage in A Streetcar Named Desire when he was a teenager. His first film role came in the Irish film Cowbnoys & Angels, and he also had a role in the HBO historical drama series Rome in 2007, where he played Marcus Agrippa.

Lucy Boynton As Mary Austin

Date Of Birth: January 17, 1994

• Active Since: 2006

Character: Lucy Boynton’s portrayal of Mary Austin in Bohemian Rhapsody was a delicate and poignant depiction of Freddie Mercury’s lifelong companion. She brought a sense of empathy to the character. Her performance captured the complexity of Austin’s relationship with Mercury, highlighting their enduring bond. Her portrayal went beyond a simple love interest; she embodied the role of a confidante and a pivotal figure in Mercury’s life. This was achieved through a fine understanding of their relationship, marked by love, friendship, and mutual respect.

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Actor: Lucy Boynton is known for her roles as Raphina in Sing Street and Countess Helena Andrenyi in Murder on the Orient Express. Raised in London, she was 12 when she got her first stage role as Beatrix Potter in Miss Potter. She also had notable roles in Netflix’s Gypsy, the horror thriller Apostle, and HBO’s Locked Down. She also made a small appearance as Proust Barbie in Barbie in 2023.

Bohemian Rhapsody Supporting Cast & Characters

Tom Hollander as Jim “Miami” Beach – Hollander, known for his roles as Cutler Beckett in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Corky in The Night Manager, and Quentin in The White Lotus, portrayed Queen’s manager, capturing Beach’s pragmatic and supportive nature.

Mike Myers as Ray Foster – Myers, famed for playing the тιтular characters in Austin Powers and Shrek, plays the fictional EMI executive, bringing a touch of humor and conflict to the film’s depiction of the music industry when he claims “Bohemian Rhapsody” will never be a hit.

Mike Myers’ role in Bohemian Rhapsody is a callback to Wayne’s World when he sang along to “Bohemian Rhapsody.”

Aaron McCusker as Jim Hutton – McCusker, recognized from Shameless where he played Jamie Magurire, portrayed Mercury’s boyfriend, offering a glimpse into Mercury’s personal life and his quest for love and acceptance.

Meneka Das as Jer Bulsara – Das, known for small roles in Holby City and EastEnders, depicted Mercury’s mother, portraying her as a figure of traditional values and maternal affection.

Ace Bhatti as Bomi Bulsara – Bhatti, with roles in Eastenders and Bend It Like Beckham, played Mercury’s father in the Bohemian Rhapsody cast, encapsulating the complex father-son relationship.

Priya Blackburn as Kashmira Bulsara – Blackburn, known for playing Arsinoe in Ancient Empires, brought Mercury’s sister to life, highlighting the family dynamics and Mercury’s roots.

Tim Plester as Roy Thomas Baker – Plester, known for playing Black Walder Rivers in Game of Thrones, portrayed the co-producer of Queen, illustrating the behind-the-scenes of the band’s iconic music.

Dermot Murphy as Bob Geldof – Murphy, an emerging talent who appeared in Animals as Marty, played the Live Aid organizer, showcasing the monumental concert event’s significance.

Jack Roth as Tim Staffell – Roth, who played Lieutenant Adema in Rogue One, depicted the vocalist and bᴀssist of the band Smile in Bohemian Rhapsody. Smile was a precursor to Queen, highlighting the early days of the band’s members.