The next series in the Sandman universe, the Dead Boy Detectives, is now streaming on Netflix. Read on to learn all about the Dead Boy Detectives cast, including who plays Edwin Payne, Charles Rowland, Crystal Palace, and more.
Set in the same universe as DC Comics’ The Sandman, the series follows the ghosts of Charles and Edwin, two boys who suffered terrible deaths at a British boarding school 70 years apart. Together, their ghosts solve supernatural mysteries that no one else can, but not without the help of psychic Crystal and her neighbor Niko.
Showrunners Steve Yockey and Beth Schwartz immersed themselves in the Dead Boy Detectives comics, allowing them to “get as psychedelic as possible while still honoring the mystery-horror tone,” Schwartz told Netflix’s Tudum. She added, “The bittersweet nature of Edwin and Charles having only become friends because of their tragic deaths is what makes their friendship such a unique story to explore.”
Who Is In Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives Cast?
As you watch the eerie series, you might have questions about the characters, including who is dead, alive (or immortal). To help you out, here’s our spooky guide to the main cast of Dead Boy Detectives and where you might recognize the actors from.
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George Rexstrew as Edwin Payne
Edwin Payne was a student at St. Hilarion’s boarding school for boys and died in 1916 when a group of bullies sacrificed his soul to hell. “I was surprised to learn how little inclusion there is of Edwin’s parents, and that absence is something I took and ran with when it came to figuring out my own backstory,” newcomer George Rexstrew told Netflix’s Tudum. “It really makes his death all the more tragic in my eyes.”
Known for: This role marks Rexstrew’s first major acting project.
Jayden Revri as Charles Rowland
Charles Rowland met this death in 1989 after being attacked by bullies at St. Hilarion’s. He befriended Edwin’s ghost and chose to stay close to him rather than following Death to the afterlife. Rowland is played by English actor Jayden Revri, who starred in Disney Channel’s British musical series The Lodge and episodes of Fate: The Winx Saga.
Known for: Fate: The Winx Saga, The Lodge
Kassius Nelson as Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace, a psychic medium, was rescued from demonic possession by Edwin and Charles. She joined the Dead Boy Detectives to save lives and discover her identity. “There are more powers that she hasn’t uncovered yet as she learns more about herself,” her portrayer, Kassius Nelson, told Tudum. Nelson’s previous acting roles include playing Jade Albright in Hollyoaks and Fiona in the TV adaption of Series of Unfortunate Events.
Known for: Hollyoaks, A Series of Unfortunate Events, Last Night in Soho, Pirates, White Lines
David Iacono as David The Demon
Haunting Crystal is her disturbed ex-boyfriend, David, a demon who can possess people to do horrible things. Before being exorcised by the Dead Boy Detectives, he took some of Crystal’s memories and continues to torment her. David The Demon is played by The Summer I Turned Pretty star David Iacono.
Known for: The Summer I Turned Pretty, Hightown, City on a Hill, The Flight Attendant
Yuyu Kitamura as Niko Sasaki
Crystal’s neighbor, Niko Sasaki, is a new character who isn’t in the comics. Following her father’s death, she left Japan and moved to Port Townsend, Washington, for high school. However, she dropped out after becoming infected with supernatural parasites, allowing her to see ghosts and help the Dead Boy Detectives.
Known for: Dead Boy Detectives is Yuyu Kitamura’s first major acting role.
Briana Cuoco as Jenny Green
Jenny Green owns Tongue & Tail butcher shop, making her the landlord for Crystal and Niko. Although Green is patient about their antics, she wants them to stay out of her personal and professional life. Viewers might recognize Briana Cuoco (Kaley Cuoco’s sister) from Season 5 of The Voice.
Known for: Harley Quinn animated series, Season 5 of The Voice, With Love, The Flight Attendant
Jenn Lyon as Esther Finch
Jenn Lyon portrays the witch Esther Finch in Dead Boy Detectives. Finch struck a deal with Lilith for eternal life, making her immortal. Now, she’s hunting down the Dead Boy Detectives after they took away her and her pet snake’s intended victim. Lyon is best known for playing Jennifer Husser on Claws, Mackenzie Bradford-Lopez on Saint George, and Lindsey Salazar on Justified.
Known for: Claws, Justified, Saint George
Ruth Connell as Night Nurse
The Night Nurse, who works for Death’s bureaucracy, is hunting down Edwin and Charles to make sure they go to their afterlives. Ruth Connell previously played Night Nurse on Doom Patrol, which marked the live-action debut of the Dead Boy Detectives. The character is played by Scottish actress Ruth Connell, who has appeared in Supernatural and its spinoff The Winchesters.
Known for: Doom Patrol, Supernatural, The Winchesters, The Cursed Man, Open House
Michael Beach as Tragik Mick
Tragic Mick, who runs a magic shop, debuted in the Dead Boy Detectives comics. He was once a mighty walrus but has been transformed into a human. You can still see hints of his former sea creature identity in the tusk he wears as a necklace and the barnacles across the shoulder of his jean jacket. Michael Beach starred as one of the head detectives in Netflix’s DAHMER — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story.
Known for: DAHMER — Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, Sw X, Aquaman and Swamp Thing, Soul Food, May of Kingstown
Lukas Gage as Cat King
Cat King is a seductive shape-shifter who takes a liking to Edwin. Costume Designer Kelli Dunsmore told Tudum that she wanted Cat King to have a concurrent femininity and masculinity about him. “It doesn’t matter what gender, everyone’s in love with the Cat King,” she said. You might recognize Lukas Gage from Euphoria and The White Lotus.
Known for: Euphoria, The White Lotus, American Vandal, Assassination Nation, Road House, Fargo
Joshua Colley as Monty
Esther’s crow familiar, Monty, is transformed into a human to keep tabs on the Dead Boy Detectives. He uses his passion for astronomy to get close to Edwin. Monty is played by Joshua Colley, who is known for his roles in Netflix’s Senior Year and Love, Victor.
Known for: Love, Victor, Senior Year, Sex Appeal, Peter Rabbit
Dead Boy Detectives is now streaming on Netflix. Watch the trailer below.
