Michael cast: Who appears in the King of Pop's biopic?

It's safe to say that, even ahead of release, new biopic Michael is a film that has firmly split opinion.

While the film's subject is undoubtedly one of the most legendary musicians – and indeed one of the most famous people – to ever (moon)walk the planet, his legacy has been complicated by a string of accusations against him both before and since his death.

Still, despite those reservations – not to mention some decidedly negative reviews – the film looks set to be a major box office hit.

It stars Michael's own nephew Jaafar in the lead role as the King of Pop, and there are some pretty major stars alongside him in the cast. Read on for everything you need to know about who stars – and who they're playing – as well as side-by-side images showing the actors and the real-life figures.

Michael cast: Who appears in the King of Pop's biopic?

You can find the full list of stars who feature in the film below – scroll down further on for more information about the main stars.

• Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson
  • Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael
• Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson
• Nia Long as Katherine Jackson
• Miles Teller as John Branca
• Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe
• KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray
• Jamal R. Henderson as Jermaine Jackson
  • Jayden Harville as young Jermaine
• Tre Horton as Marlon Jackson
  • Jaylen Lyndon Hunter as young Marlon
• Rhyan Hill as Tito Jackson
  • Judah Edwards as young Tito
• Joseph David-Jones as Jackie Jackson
  • Nathaniel Logan McIntyre as young Jackie
• Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson
• Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones
• Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy
• Liv Symone as Gladys Knight
• Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark
• Mike Myers as Walter Yetnikoff
• Deon Cole as Don King

Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson

Who is Michael Jackson? A man who needs no introduction: after first finding fame as a member of the Jackson 5, Michael went on to become one of the most famous pop stars of all time, dubbed the King of Pop and recording a string of hugely successful albums, with major hits including Thriller, Billie Jean and Don't Stop 'til You Get Enough. His legacy has since been surrounded by controversy after a string of allegations were made against him.

What else has Jaafar Jackson been in? Although he has released a couple of singles as a musician, this will be the first ever film role for Jackson – who is Michael's nephew.

Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael

What else has Juliano Krue Valdi in? He had a role in an episode of US TV show 9-1-1 and voiced the title character in the English dub of Oscar-nominated animation Arco, but this is Valdi's most major credit to date.

Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson

Who is Joe Jackson? Michael's overbearing father, who bullied his children while shepherding their early careers.

What else has Colman Domingo been in? In 2023, Domingo received his first Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin in a self-titled biopic. He followed up that success with more acclaimed turns in musical drama Sing Sing (which nabbed him a second Oscar nod) and Netflix miniseries The Madness. You might also recognise him from Fear the Walking Dead, If Beale Street Could Talk, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, The Colour Purple and Euphoria, while he recently voiced The Cowardly Lion in Wicked: Part 2.

Nia Long as Katherine Jackson

Who is Katherine Jackson? Michael's mother, who played a major role in supporting them when they hit the big time.

What else has Nia Long been in? Long is known for her role as Beullah "Lisa" Wilkes in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and more recently has had recurring roles in shows including Dear White People, Empire, and blackAF. Key film credits include Boyz n the Hood, Friday and Big Momma's House.

Miles Teller as John Branca

Who is John Branca? A major entertainment lawyer who represented Jackson throughout his career and is now Chairman of The Michael Jackson Company and the co-executor of the estate.

What else has Miles Teller been in? Teller has had main roles in films including Footloose, The Spectacular Now, and Whiplash and starred as Peter Hayes in all three entries in the Divergent series. He also played Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic in the critically maligned Fantastic Four film in 2015 and had a key role in Top Gun: Maverick is his first film credit in five years. On the small screen he's starred in Too Old to Die Young and The Offer.

Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe

Who is Suzanne de Passe? The iconic former President of Motown who was instrumental in fostering the Jackson 5's early career.

What else has Laura Harrier been in? Harrier's key film credits include Spider-Man: Homecoming, BlacKkKlansman and White Men Can't Jump, while she's also starred in TV shows One Life to Live, Hollywood and Doctor Odyssey.

Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones

Who is Quincy Jones? The legendary musician was a key collaborator of Jackson's throughout his career, notably producing his string of iconic albums Off the Wall, Thriller and Bad.

What else has Kendrick Sampson been in? Sampson is best known for his TV works in shows such as The Vampire Diaries, Gracepoint, How to Get Away with Murder, The Flash, and Insecure.

KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray

Who is Bill Bray? Jackson's long-standing bodyguard.

What else has KeiLyn Durrel Jones been in? Jones had a recurring role in Succession and has also appeared in shows The Other Two and How to Die Alone.

Mike Myers as Walter Yetnikoff

Who is Walter Yetnikoff? The head honcho of Epic Records, who also helped guide the career of Jackson.

What else has Mike Myers been in? After first finding fame as a cast member on SNL, Myers had iconic film roles in Wayne's World, the Austin Powers series and The Cat in the Hat – as well as memorably voicing Shrek. Other film credits include Inglourious Basterds, Bohemian Rhapsody and Amsterdam.

Michael is released in UK cinemas on Wednesday 22 April.

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