The 2012 movie its gritty portrayal of real events, Zero Dark Thirty is considered one of the best movies of the 2010s, and its streaming availability has brought it back into popularity.

The movie depicts a dramatized version of the US military's hunt for Osama bin Laden in the decade following the September 11 attacks. Zero Dark Thirty primarily follows Maya, a CIA intelligence analyst, in her work to track bin Laden as she interacts with different CIA and US Navy teams. While Maya is the primary character, Zero Dark Thirty features a broad and impressive cast of well-known actors who take inspiration from real figures in recent US history.

Jessica Chastain As Maya

Date Of Birth: March 24, 1977

• Active Since: 1998

Actor: Jessica Chastain was born in Sacramento, California in 1977, and she became interested in acting as a child. Chastain studied at Julliard, and, after graduating, she began gaining small roles in television programs such as Veronica Mars and Law & Order: Trial by Jury. Jessica Chastain got her big breakthrough in 2011 when she had six films released, including Take Shelter, The Tree of Life, and The Help, which garnered her critical and commercial success. Since then, Chastain has gone on to star in numerous films and several TV series to further acclaim.

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Character: In Zero Dark Thirty, Jessica Chastain plays the main character Maya who is a CIA analyst. Maya is the leader of the team who is looking for Osama bin Laden, and she works both with other CIA agents in the US and undercover in other countries and with US Naval officers.

Jason Clarke As Dan

Date Of Birth: July 17, 1969

• Active Since: 1995

Actor: Jason Clarke was born in Winton, Queensland, Australia in 1969 and initially wanted to become a lawyer before becoming interested in acting. Clarke appeared in guest roles in Australian television series such as Blue Heelers, Mercury, Heartbreak High, Stingers, and more. Jason Clarke got his breakthrough in 2006 with the Showtime TV series Brotherhood. Following this role, Clarke has appeared in numerous movies and has garnered critical acclaim for his performances.

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Character: In Zero Dark Thirty, Jason Clarke plays Dan. Dan is a CIA intelligence officer who works with Maya in trying to find leads about who committed the September 11 attacks.

Joel Edgerton As Patrick Grayston

Date Of Birth: June 23, 1974

• Active Since: 1995

Actor: Joel Edgerton was born in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia in 1974. Edgerton had guest roles in several Australian television shows and small parts in movies in the late 1990s, and he got his big break in 2002 when he played Owen Lars in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, which he reprised in Episode III. After this role, Edgerton has gone on to star in many popular films including The Great Gatsby, Black Mass, The Green Knight, and The Boys in the Boat.

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Character: Joel Edgerton stars as Patrick Grayston in Zero Dark Thirty. Patrick Grayston is the SEAL Team Six leader who, with his team, raids the compound where the CIA believes Osama bin Laden to be hiding and kills him.

Jennifer Ehle As Jessica Karley

Date Of Birth: December 29, 1969

• Active Since: 1991

Actor: Jennifer Ehle was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in 1969, and as the daughter of actor Rosemary Harris, Ehle was involved in acting from a young age. Jennifer Ehle rose to fame through her portrayal of Elizabeth Bennet in the 1995 BBC Pride and Prejudice miniseries opposite Colin Firth, after which she went on to star in numerous well received movies and TV shows. Ehle is likely most known for her roles in The King's Speech, Zero Dark Thirty, and the Fifty Shades of Grey series.

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Character: Jennifer Ehle plays Jessica Karley in Zero Dark Thirty. Jessica Karley is a CIA Analyst who travels to Afghanistan to meet with a spy, but she is killed when he turns out to be working against the US.

Mark Strong As George

Date Of Birth: August 5, 1963

• Active Since: 1989

Actor: Mark Strong was born in London, England in 1963. Strong began his career in British television shows such as EastEnders and Inspector Morse. Mark Strong rose to fame for his roles in the movies Stardust and RocknRolla in 2007 and 2008, and he continued to gain popularity through roles in Kick-Ass, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy, and Zero Dark Thirty in the early 2010s. Strong has starred in many well-known movies and has received several awards and nominations for his work.

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Character: In Zero Dark Thirty, Mark Strong plays George. George is a CIA supervisor who works with Maya and helps advise government oficials on the location of bin Laden and best course of action.

James Gandolfini As CIA Director

Date Of Birth: September 18, 1961

• Years Active: 1979-2013

Actor: James Gandolfini was born in Westwood, New Jersey in 1961 and began acting after graduating from college. Gandolfini gained attention in the early 1990s after appearing in films such as Money for Nothing and True Romance. James Gandolfini is best known for playing Tony Soprano in The Sopranos from 1999 to 2007. The role garnered him numerous awards and nominations, including three Emmy Awards. After The Sopranos, Gandolfini starred in several movies. Sadly, he ed away in 2013 at the age of 51.

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Character: In Zero Dark Thirty, James Gandolfini plays the CIA Director Leon Panetta. In real life, Panetta held several different governmental positions during his time in Washington, but served as the CIA director from 2009-2011. In Zero Dark Thirty, Panetta presides over the operations to find bin Laden which are undertaken by the other characters.

Zero Dark Thirty ing Cast & Characters

Kyle Chandler as Joseph Bradley: Kyle Chandler plays the CIA Islamabad station chief. Chandler is best known for portraying Eric Taylor in the series Friday Night Lights, and he has also made appearances in Super 8, The Wolf of Wall Street, Carol, and many other films.

Reda Kateb as Ammar: Reda Kateb plays a detainee who is tortured for information on bin Laden's whereabouts. Kateb has appeared in movies such as Lost River, Stop Me Here, Submergence, and The Specials.

Stephen Dillane As Tom Donilon: Stephen Dillane plays the National Security Advisor, Tom Donilon, who worked for the Obama istration from 2010 to 2013. Stephen Dillane is best known for playing Stannis Baratheon in Game of Thrones. He has been in numerous film and television productions as well as stage productions.

Chris Pratt as Justin Lenihan: Christ Pratt features as Justin Lenihan, a member of the Navy SEAL team sent to raid bin Laden's compound in Pakistan. Chris Pratt is best known for his character Andy Dwyer in Parks and Recreation, as well as for portraying Peter Quill in numerous Marvel movies.

Harold Perrineau as Jack Fuller: Harold Perrineau makes an appearance as Jack Fuller, a CIA analyst. Perrineau is best known for his roles as Mercutio in the movie Romeo+Juliet and as Michael Dawson in the series Lost, but he has appeared in numerous other productions as well.