Lin-Manuel Miranda Reveals Star-Studded Cast for Octet Film

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s film adaptation of Dave Malloy’s Octet has unveiled a cast that is already generating serious excitement among musical theatre fans, bringing together Broadway heavyweights, acclaimed screen performers and some of the most recognisable voices from recent stage and screen musicals.

Leading the ensemble are Amanda Seyfried, who will play Jessica, and Rachel Zegler as Velma. Their casting alone gives the project considerable musical pedigree, with both actors already closely associated with standout music-driven screen work in recent years. They are joined by Emmy winner and original Dreamgirls star Sheryl Lee Ralph, who will take on the role of Paula.

The cast also includes two major names from Hamilton, with Jonathan Groff set to play Henry and Phillipa Soo cast as Karly. Their involvement adds another layer of anticipation, particularly given their strong ties to Miranda’s work and their stature within contemporary musical theatre.

Rounding out the ensemble are Severance actor Tramell Tillman as Marvin, Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo as Toby, and Broadway performer Paul-Jordan Jansen as Ed. Together, the group brings a mix of stage experience, television recognition and vocal ability that suggests Miranda is assembling a particularly dynamic company for the adaptation.

Octet marks Miranda’s next directing project following his acclaimed feature debut with Tick, Tick… Boom!, which earned Oscar attention and widespread praise for its handling of Jonathan Larson’s work. Once again, Miranda is choosing to adapt a distinctive Off Broadway musical by a singular writer rather than turning to one of his own stage hits, a creative choice that continues to set his directorial path apart.

Originally written by Dave Malloy, Octet is a chamber choir musical centred on eight people attending a support group for internet addiction. Its unusual structure and subject matter have made it one of the more distinctive works to emerge from the Off Broadway scene, and its transition to film is being seen as both unexpected and deeply intriguing.

That sense of risk is part of what is making the project so compelling. Octet is not an obvious choice for a screen adaptation, but with Miranda behind the camera and a cast packed with acclaimed performers from Broadway, television and film, the adaptation is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing musical projects on the horizon.

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