The Waco: The Aftermath cast includes an ensemble of talented actors well-known for a variety of very different TV and film roles. Serving as a sequel to the 2018 miniseries Waco starring Taylor Kitsch, 2023’s Waco: The Aftermath depicts the events that occurred after the tragic real-life standoff in Waco, Texas. In Waco: The Aftermath, the United States government is dealing with the aftermath of the disastrous siege at David Koresh’s compound that resulted in 76 deaths, including 25 children. The series focuses on the trial of the remaining Branch Davidian members and the reverberations the event had on American militias and Timothy McVeigh (Alex Breaux), the OKC bomber.
Whereas Waco is a more contained story about the lead-up to the siege and the fight itself, Waco: The Aftermath encompasses a huge amount of story and examines philosophy, the American government, and individual rights. It’s a massive undertaking that would probably have benefited from more than the five episodes that the Showtime series provides. Along with the truncated storytelling comes a strange, ideological bent to the series that intentionally or unintentionally seems to justify some of the more horrifying results of the siege. But what isn’t in question is the talent of the Waco: The Aftermath cast, which includes actors with long and celebrated filmographies and TV credits.
The Cast And Characters Of Waco: The Aftermath | |
|---|---|
Actor | Character |
Michael Shannon | Gary Noesner |
Giovanni Ribisi | Dan Cogdell |
Keean Johnson | Vernon Howell |
Abbey Lee | Carol Howe |
Alex Breaux | Timothy McVeigh |
John Hoogenakker | Clive Doyle |
Kali Rocha | Ruth Riddle |
Michael Luwoye | Livingstone Fagan |
J. Smith-Cameron | Lois Roden |
Sasheer Zamata | Angie Graham |
Michael Cassidy | Bill Johnston |
David Costabile | Judge Smith |
Gary Cole | Gordon Novel |
Shea Whigham | Mitch Decker |
John Leguizamo | Jacob Vasquez |
Michael Shannon As Gary Noesner
Michael Shannon reprises his role from Waco as Gary Noesner in Waco: The Aftermath. Shannon once again brings his quiet intensity to the role of the FBI hostage negotiator. After his film debut in a brief diner scene in Groundhog Day as the lovestruck Fred, Shannon went on to many critically acclaimed roles. He’s been nominated twice for Best Supporting Actor at the Academy Awards for his roles as John Givings Jr. in Revolutionary Road and Detective Bobby Andes in Nocturnal Animals. Most people will recognize Shannon as bad guy General Zod from Man of Steel and Nelson Van Alden/George Mueller in the TV show Boardwalk Empire.
Giovanni Ribisi As Dan Cogdell
Dan Cogdell is the trial lawyer for the Branch Davidians, and he’s played by Giovanni Ribisi. Ribisi has appeared in numerous TV shows and films in a variety of genres, from sci-fi to comedy, but Waco: The Aftermath sees him as a more down-to-earth but still powerful character. On TV, he’s best known for his starring roles in Dads as Warner Whittemore and Sneaky Pete as Marius Josipović. In film, Ribisi stars in the cast of the original Avatar as Parker Selfridge and has a cameo in the sequel. He plays Donny in the Ted franchise, and he appears in Saving Private Ryan as Irwin Wade.
Keean Johnson As Vernon Howell
Keean Johnson appears in Waco: The Aftermath as Vernon Howell, which is the birth name of David Koresh. Johnson plays this younger version of Koresh as both charming and sinister. Only beginning his professional career in 2013 with his starring role in the teen TV series Spooksville as Adam Freeman, Johnson has gone on to appear in some notable shows, including Nashville as Colt Wheeler and Euphoria as Daniel. Johnson costars in Alita: Battle Angel as Alita’s love interest, Hugo. He also plays James Murray in Midway and stars as Marcus in the rom-com The Ultimate Playlist of Noise.
Abbey Lee As Carol Howe
Supermodel/actor Abbey Lee plays Carol Howe in Waco: The Aftermath. Carol is a young, wealthy Southern aristocrat who becomes a Neo-Nazi but eventually turns government informant and becomes a key figure in the Oklahoma City bombing. Despite not turning to acting until later in her career, Lee has quickly become a recognizable face. Her most notable film roles come in Mad Max: Fury Road as one of the Dag, one of Immortan Joe’s wives, The Neon Demon as Sarah, and Old as Chrystal. Lee’s best-known role is probably on television in the canceled but acclaimed Lovecraft Country, where she stars as Christina Braithwhite.
Alex Breaux As Timothy McVeigh
One of the most important figures in Waco: The Aftermath is Timothy McVeigh, the domestic terrorist behind the Oklahoma City Bombing. Alex Breaux plays McVeigh as a troubled and angry devotee of Koresh’s teachings. Breaux has had many roles in television and film, but he’s rarely been in the main cast as he is here. On television, he plays Camish Grimmengruber in Joe Pickett, Dax in See, and Frank Mitchell in The Equalizer. In movies, Breaux has appeared in Hustlers as an unnamed stockbroker and in The Dead Don’t Hurt as Ed Wilkins.
John Hoogenakker As Clive Doyle
John Hoogenakker plays Clive Doyle, Koresh’s very first follower within the Branch Davidians, and one of the few survivors of the Waco siege and resulting fire. Doyle remains a faithful adherent to Koresh’s principles but also must deal with the fact that the Branch Davidians’ actions inspired dangerous people like McVeigh. Primarily a theater actor, this is one of Hoogenakker’s few TV roles. He does have a starring role in Dopesick as Randy Ramseyer, and Hoogenakker has recurring parts in Castle Rock and Jack Ryan as Carl Wilkes and Matice, respectively. In film, Hoogenakker plays Gustav in A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas and Agent Hugh Clegg in Public Enemies.
Kali Rocha As Ruth Riddle
Ruth Riddle is another of the Branch Davidians who survived the siege, and she’s now on trial in Waco: The Aftermath. Kali Rocha plays Riddle as a lost woman, unsure of how she got into the situation she finds herself in. Rocha is a prolific TV and movie actor with numerous roles to her credit. On television, she’s best known for starring in Disney Channel’s Liv and Maddie as Karen Rooney. She also plays Dr. Sydney Heron in Grey’s Anatomy and Halfrek/Cecily Addams in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Rocha’s best-known movie roles include Donna in Space Station 76 and Anna Morrison Jackson in Gods and Generals.
Michael Luwoye As Livingstone Fagan
Michael Luwoye plays another of the Branch Davidians on trial in the main cast of Waco: The Aftermath, Livingstone Fagan. For most of his career, Luwoye has been best known for his theater work, appearing in many notable plays, including Hamilton as the titular character, Tick, Tick… Boom! as Michael, and Mandela as Nelson Mandela. His screen career began with him appearing as himself in a 2017 episode of Curb Your Enthusiasm where Larry David goes to watch Hamilton. Luwoye then went on to star in the TV show Bluff City Law as Anthony Little.
Waco: The Aftermath Supporting Cast & Characters
J. Smith-Cameron as Lois Roden – J. Smith-Cameron plays Lois Roden in Waco: The Aftermath, the new leader and Prophetess of the Branch Davidians after Koresh is killed. Smith-Cameron is best known for her role as Gerri in Succession, but she also has the notable performance of Janet Talbot in Rectify.
Sasheer Zamata as Angie Graham – Sasheer Zamata plays against type as Angie Graham, a veteran ATF agent in Waco: The Aftermath. Zamata is instantly recognizable as a cast member on SNL from 2014-2017. She also appears in TV shows like Woke, Tuca & Bertie, and Home Economics.
Michael Cassidy as Bill Johnston – Michael Cassidy plays Bill Johnston in Waco: The Aftermath, the lead prosecutor in the trial of the Branch Davidians. Cassidy is best known for his recurring role in The O.C. as Zach Stevens and his starring role in the series Men at Work as Tyler Mitchell.
David Costabile as Judge Smith – Judge Smith, who presides over the Branch Davidians trial, is played by David Costabile. Costabile may not be a major star, but he is very recognizable for his roles as Gale Boetticher in Breaking Bad, James Ashley in Lincoln, and Mike “Wags” Wagner in Billions.
Gary Cole as Gordon Novel – Gary Cole plays Gordon Novel in Waco: The Aftermath, a private investigator. Cole has memorable performances in films like Pineapple Express as Ted Jones and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby as Reese Bobby. He also appears in the main cast of Veep as Kent Davison.
Shea Whigham as Mitch Decker – Shea Whigham returns to the Waco series after appearing in the original show as Mitch Decker, the FBI agent who managed events leading to the siege. Whigham has had a long and prolific career, appearing in notable films, including those in the Fast & Furious franchise, Silver Linings Playbook, The Wolf of Wall Street, Kong: Skull Island, Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One, and much more. On TV, Whigham is best known as Elias ‘Eli’ Thompson in Boardwalk Empire.
John Leguizamo as Jacob Vasquez – John Leguizamo plays Jacob Vasquez in Waco: The Aftermath after appearing in Waco as the undercover ATF agent who worked with the Branch Davidians in the lead-up to the siege. Leguizamo has appeared in numerous film and TV productions, including The Menu as George Diaz and John Wick as Aurelio. He also voices Sid in the Ice Age franchise and Bruno Madrigal in Encanto.
Where To Watch Waco: The Aftermath
