Below is a comprehensive guide to the Masters of the Air cast, including information about each real-life character and the corresponding actors who portray them.
Masters of the Air is the third addition to the Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks WW2 ‘trilogy’ following Band of Brothers and The Pacific. It tells the story of the 8th Air Force, particularly the ‘Bloody Hundredth’ bomb group, as they bravely and tragically conducted daytime bombings over Nazi Germany, enduring unimaginable losses.
According to Donald L. Miller’s book, it depicts the immense psychological and emotional toll that these young men endured while contributing to the downfall of Hitler’s Third Reich. Some were captured or shot down, while others were wounded or killed. A few were fortunate enough to return home. However, regardless of their individual fates, all of them paid a heavy price.
Similar to other HBO series, Masters of the Air features a large and star-studded ensemble cast. Now that Episodes 1-9 are available for streaming and the show has officially ended (see our analysis of the finale), let’s take a look at the talented actors who make up the cast.
The paragraph contains the following information:
- Austin Butler: Major Gale “Buck” Cleven
- Callum Turner: Major John “Bucky” Egan
- Anthony Boyle: Major Harry Crosby
- Nate Mann: Major Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal
- Barry Keoghan: Lt. Curtis Biddick
- Ncuti Gatwa: 2nd Lt. Robert Daniels
- Branden Cook: 2nd Lt. Alexander Jefferson
- Elliot Warren: Capt. James Douglass
- Raff Law: Sgt. Ken Lemmons
- Kai Alexander: Sgt. William Quinn
- Bailey Brook: Sgt. Charles K. Bailey
- James Murray: Col. Chick Harding
- Sawyer Spielberg as Lt. Roy Frank Claytor
- Edward Ashley: Lt. Col. John B. Kidd
- Bel Powley: A.M. Wesgate
- Isabel May: Marge
- Emma Canning: Helen
Meet the Masters of the Air Cast
Here is a list of the essential cast members of Masters of the Air, along with the corresponding real-life individuals they portray in the series, whenever possible.
Austin Butler: Portrayal of Major Gale “Buck” Cleven
Austin Butler portrays Major Gale Cleven, who is commonly referred to as “Buck” and happens to be the closest companion of “Bucky.” He holds a strong reputation as one of the original members of the 100th Bomb Group and serves as a skilled command pilot, guiding his team through the most challenging missions in the skies.
Ever since his starring roles in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and Elvis, as well as his upcoming villainous roles in Dune: Part Two and The Bikeriders, Butler has experienced a rapid ascent to fame.
Callum Turner as Major John “Bucky” Egan
Callum Turner portrays Major John Egan, also known as “Bucky.” He is one of the initial pilots chosen for the 100th and is tasked with supervising “35 planes and 350 air crewmen… young men who have not yet been in battle” – although he feels he would be more suitable as a squadron leader.
Turner’s most prominent role is that of Theseus Scamander in the Fantastic Beasts films, in addition to his appearances in Green Room, Emma, and The Boys in the Boat.
Anthony Boyle as Major Harry Crosby
Anthony Boyle portrays Major Harry Crosby, an air navigator on the “Flying Fortress”who suffers from a particularly unfortunate ailment – he becomes nauseous as soon as the plane takes off. Despite this, he remains incredibly humble, especially when his precise calculations contribute to saving the lives of those around him.
In addition, Boyle has made appearances in Tetris, Tolkien, and Game of Thrones.
Major Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal: Portrayed by Nate Mann
Nate Mann, also known as “Rosie” among his fellow soldiers, portrays Major Robert Rosenthal in the 100th. Despite the rising casualties, he proves to be an exceptional pilot, surpassing those with more years of experience.
Mann’s acting career began with his debut in Ray Donovan, followed by roles in Licorice Pizza, Evil, and Men of Divorce.
Barry Keoghan as Lt. Curtis Biddick
Lt. Curtis Biddick, portrayed by Barry Keoghan, is among the initial pilots assigned to the 100th Bombardment Group.
Keoghan’s rise to fame is undeniable as he continues to establish himself as one of the most well-known actors in the world. Some of his notable roles include Saltburn, The Batman, The Banshees of Inisherin, Eternals, Dunkirk, and The Killing of a Sacred Deer.
Ncuti Gatwa: 2nd Lt. Robert Daniels
Ncuti Gatwa portrays 2nd Lt. Robert Daniels, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, famously referred to as the Red Rails, who serves as a fighter pilot.
Gatwa gained recognition for his role as Eric in Sex Education, but his most recent venture was as the Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who. Additionally, he portrayed the character of Ken in Barbie.
Branden Cook: The Life and Legacy of 2nd Lt. Alexander Jefferson
Branden Cook portrays 2nd Lt. Alexander Jefferson, an additional Red Tails fighter pilot.
Cook is most recognized for his portrayal of Evan in Tell Me Lies, but he has also been seen in Chicago PD and Industry.
Elliot Warren as Lt. James Douglass
Elliot Warren portrays Lt. James Douglass, a member of the 100th who serves as a bombardier and flies alongside Harry Crosby.
Warren has also appeared in The Batman (as the man who is brutally beaten in the first teaser), as well as in I Hate Suzie, Silent Witness, and How to Have Sex.
Raff Law: Playing Sgt. Ken Lemmons
Raff Law portrays the vital role of Sgt. Ken Lemmons, a dedicated sergeant in the 100th who tirelessly repairs and ensures the airworthiness of planes each day. He is widely regarded as one of the group’s most crucial members.
Law, who is Jude Law’s son, has also been featured in Repo Men and Twist.
Kai Alexander as Sgt. William Quinn
Kai Alexander portrays the role of Sgt. William Quinn, a youthful radio operator who becomes a member of the 100th.
Alexander’s acting roles included playing Jeffrey in Catastrophe, as well as appearing in The Stranger, Pistol, and Doctors.
Charles K. Bailey: A Heroic Sergeant in Bailey Brook
Sgt. Charles K. Bailey, portrayed by Bailey Brook, is a gunner who serves in the 100th and flies alongside William Quinn.
In Masters of the Air, Brook takes on her second role following her appearance in The Rising, released in 2022.
James Murray as Col. Chick Harding
Col. Chick Harding, the commanding officer of the 100th, is played by James Murray.
Murray’s acting career has also included roles in popular British television shows such as Coronation Street, where he portrayed the character of Sandy Hunter, as well as North Square, Cutting It, Primeval, and Defiance. Additionally, he had the opportunity to play the role of Prince Andrew in The Crown.
Sawyer Spielberg’s Role as Lt. Roy Frank Claytor
Sawyer Spielberg portrays the character of Lt. Roy Frank Claytor, who serves as the co-pilot for Buck during their flights.
In addition to being the son of Steven Spielberg, he has also acted in Red Band Society, The Post, and Merry Good Enough.
Edward Ashley: The First Captain of the East India Company’s Royal Privateers
Edward Ashley portrays the role of Lt. Col. John B. Kidd, a highly regarded senior member of the 100th who serves as a mediator between the superiors and Buck, Bucky, and their comrades.
In addition, Ashley has made appearances in The Lost City of Z, The Terror, and The King.
Bel Powley as A.M. Wesgate
Bel Powley portrays A.M. Wesgate, a subaltern who is roommates with Harry Crosby in Oxford. Although she is not based on a real person, her character is influenced by someone Crosby encountered during the war.
In addition to The King of Staten Island, The Diary of a Teenage Girl, A Small Light, and The Morning Show, Powley has also appeared in various other projects.
Isabel May: The Life and Career of the Talented Actress
Playing Marge, Isabel May portrays Buck’s girlfriend from his hometown.
In addition, May took on the roles of Elsa Dutto in the Yellowstone spinoffs 1883 and 1923, and also played Veronica in Young Sheldon.
Emma Canning: The Life and Legacy of a Remarkable Woman
Emma Canning portrays Helen, an American Red Cross volunteer stationed at Thorpe Abbotts.
Canning has also been credited for her roles in The Irregulars and Domina, and she is set to make an appearance in Citadel: India.
You can access episodes 1-9 of Masters of the Air on Apple TV+, by signing up for the streaming service here.
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