Apple TV+’s Sunny‘s darkly comical sci-fi drama is not only driven by its gripping overarching mysteries but also by the powerful performances of its talented cast members. Based on Colin O’Sullivan’s The Dark Manual, Sunny is another intriguing addition to Apple TV+’s massive repertoire of sci-fi shows. The show features Rashida Jones as its leading character, who was previously also a part of Apple TV+’s Silo‘s roster.

Since Sunny primarily unfolds in a futuristic Japan, the show also stars several renowned Japanese actors, many of whom are known for their work in both Japanese and international cinema. This diversity in the show’s cast adds a layer of cultural authenticity to its portrayal of a futuristic Japan, further immersing viewers in its sci-fi mysteries. Since the show’s cast plays an important role in bringing its character beats and sci-fi drama to life, it can be hard not to wonder who plays whom in the series.

Related

New Apple TV+ Show Will Finally Make Up For Rashida Jones’ Limited Silo Screen Time

Rashida Jones’ new leading role in an upcoming science fiction show on Apple TV+ will finally make up for her limited screen time in Silo season 1.

Rashida Jones as Suzie

Date of Birth: February 25, 1976

  • Active Since: 1997

Actor: Born in Los Angeles, California, Rashida Jones is the daughter of actress Peggy Lipton and musician Quincy Jones. After attending The Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, California, and being involved in theater from a very young age, Jones went to study at Harvard University. She made her television debut in 1997 with an adaptation of Mario Puzo’s novel, The Last Don. Her breakthrough came from landing the role of Louisa Fenn in Boston Public, which also helped her earn an NAACP Image Award nomination.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Movie/Show

Character

Silo

Allison

Parks & Recreation

Ann Perkins

The Social Network

Marylin Delpy

Celeste & Jesse Forever

Celeste

#BlackAF

Joya Bar

Character: In Apple TV+’s Sunny, Rashida Jones plays the main character Suzie, who loses her husband and son in a tragic plane crash. With what follows, the electronics company her husband worked for gifts her a home robot named Sunny. Although she initially hates Sunny, she gradually grows more attached to it and even seeks its help to find the truth about her husband and son’s disappearance.

Hidetoshi Nishijima as Masa Sakamoto

Date of Birth: March 29, 1971

  • Active Since: 1992

Actor: Known to be one of the most popular leading men from Japan, Hidetoshi Nishijima made his acting debut with Hagure Keiji Junjōha in 1992. One year later, he made a breakthrough with the hit television series Asunaro Hakusho, in which he portrayed an LGBTQ+ character. Since then, Nishijima has earned several accolades for his performances and landed roles in several films of the sci-fi genre. His vast background in sci-fi makes him the perfect casting choice for Apple TV+’s Sunny.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Movie/Show

Character

Drive My Car

Yûsuke Kafuku

The Wind Rises

Honjô (voice)

License To Live

Yutaka Yoshii

Character: Hidetoshi Nishijima portrays Suzie’s husband, Masa, in Apple TV+’s Sunny. Although Suzie initially believes her husband worked in the refrigeration department, the man from his company who delivers the Sunny robot reveals Masa worked in robotics. This discovery helps Suzie understand there was more to her husband’s job than she realized.

Joel Edgerton as Jason, Alice Braga as Amanda, and Jennifer Connelly as Daniela in Dark Matter

Related

Apple TV+’s Dark Matter Cast & Character Guide

Apple TV+’s Dark Matter’s compelling drama is not only driven by intriguing sci-fi concepts but also by the brilliant performances of cast members.

Joanna Sotomura as Sunny

Date of Birth: March 5, 1987

  • Active Since: 2008

Actor: Born and raised in Hawaii, Joanna Sotomura attended ‘Iolani School when she was younger. After graduating in 2005, she attended Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California, where she pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theater Arts. Even before she graduated in 2009, Sotomura landed her first role as Emily in Pieces of Emily in 2009. She is most recognizable for her appearances in shows like NCIS: Los Angeles, Emma Approved, Video Game High School, and The Good Place.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

Movie/Show

Character

Barry

Casey

The Good Place

Véronique

Hawaii Five-O

Mila

Bookie

Gabby

Character: Joanna Sotomura is the voice behind the titular robot Sunny in the Apple TV+ show. Sunny gets delivered to Suzie’s home in the show’s opening but is not initially welcomed with open arms. However, when Suzie realizes Sunny was designed just for her and even shares several behaviors with her husband, she grows to appreciate its presence.

Sunny Supporting Cast & Characters

Judy Ongg as Noriko Sakamoto: Judy Ongg plays Noriko Sakamoto in Apple TV+’s Sunny, who is Masa’s mother and Suzie’s mother-in-law. The actress is best known for her roles in Love Can Forgive and Forget, Tokyo MPD – From ZERO to HERO, and Money Wars. She is also recognizable for her voice-acting parts in Saibôgu 009 and Tian xia.

You as Hime: Better known as You, Yukiko Ehara is a former singer and model. Audiences will likely recognize her as one of the studio commentators for the reality television series Terrace House.

annie the clumsy as Mixxy: Although annie the clumsy is more recognizable for her work as a musician, she has previously acted in the movie Miss Osaka and the short Ane No Koe.

Jun Kunimura as Yuki Tanaka: Jun Kunimura’s Yuki Tanaka is the man who delivers Sunny to Suzie in the Apple TV+ show. Before starring in Sunny, Jun Kunimura was a part of several acclaimed movies, like The Wailing, Kill Bill Vol. 1, and The Boy and the Heron.

Sunny (2024)

Mystery
Thriller
Comedy

Suzie, an American woman living in Kyoto, Japan, grapples with the mysterious disappearance of her husband and son in a plane crash. Given a domestic robot named Sunny by her husband’s company, Suzie initially resents Sunny but soon they form a unique bond. Together, they uncover the dark truth behind her family’s disappearance, becoming entangled in a dangerous and hidden world.

Cast

Rashida Jones
, Hidetoshi Nishijima
, Joanna Sotomura
, Judy Ongg
, Jun Kunimura

Release Date

July 10, 2024

Seasons

1

Streaming Service(s)

Apple TV+

Writers

Katie Robbins

Directors

Lucy Tcherniak

Showrunner

Katie Robbins

Main Genre

Mystery

Creator(s)

Katie Robbins