The curtains are closing onThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
The show, which premiered in 2017, comes fromGilmore GirlscreatorsAmy Sherman-PalladinoandDaniel Palladinoand is known for its similarly quirky characters and fast-paced dialogue.Maiselhas also featured formerGilmore Girlscast members likeAlex Borstein,Jane Lynchand Kelly Bishop.
In 2022, the streaming service announced that Bishop would return as aseries regular in season 5, alongside fellow season 4 guest stars Alfie Fuller and Jason Ralph. Main cast membersTony Shalhoub, Borstein,Marin Hinkle, Zegen, Kevin Pollak and Caroline Aaron will also reprise their roles.
Over four seasons,Maiselfans have watched as the strong-willed Midge has faced ups and downs in both her comedy career and personal life. After losing her comedy tour gig in season 3 and starting work as a strip club emcee in season 4, she’s finally getting back to stand-up comedy in season 5.
According to ateaser released in March 2023, Midge is “closer than ever to the success she’s dreamed of, only to discover that closer than ever is still so far away.”
The show’s fifth and final season premieres on Prime Video on April 14. Three new episodes will be released on premiere day, with the rest of the episodes dropping weekly.
Ahead, here’s everything to know about the cast ofThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Rachel Brosnahan as Miriam “Midge” Maisel
Chris Saunders/Amazon Studios
Rachel Brosnahan, 32, plays housewife-turned-stand-up comedian Miriam “Midge” Maisel.
Before becomingThe Marvelous Mrs. Maiselherself, the actress appeared on television shows likeGrey’s Anatomy,Gossip Girl, The Good WifeandThe Blacklist. In 2013, she joined the acclaimed Netflix political dramaHouse of Cards.
Brosnahan is also an accomplished theater actress. She made her Broadway debut inThe Big Knifein 2013 and in 2016, she played Desdemona in New York Theatre Workshop’sOthelloalongside David Oyelowo andDaniel Craig. In 2023, she starred oppositeOscar Isaacin the revival of Lorraine Hansberry’sThe Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Windowat the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Shortly after closing, it was announced that the play would transfer to Broadway in April 2023.
In 2017, Brosnahan first appeared as Midge Maisel, a 1950s housewife who turns to stand-up comedy after discovering her husband had an affair. The breakout role earned her a slew of award nominations and wins; in 2018, she took home anEmmy Awardfor outstanding lead actress in a comedy series.
During aMaiselcast panel in 2022, the actress revealed that she spent the first couple of years of her career being told she was “not funny” and that she was “eternally indebted” to series executive producers Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino “for saying yes and taking that kind of chance on someone” like herself.
In real life, Brosnahan is married to actorJason Ralph, who appeared in season 4 ofThe Marvelous Mrs. Maiseland is set to return with a larger role in season 5. The couple, who met in 2013, sparked marriage rumors in September 2018 after they were spotted wearing bands on their left ring fingers at theEmmy Awards. After thanking Ralph in her 2019SAG Awardsspeech, Brosnahan released a statement saying thepair had actually been married “for years"and chose to keep their relationship private.
Michael Zegen as Joel Maisel
Courtesy of Prime Video
Michael Zegen, 44, plays failed comedian and Midge’s ex-husband Joel Maisel.
“This is one of my favorite things I’ve ever done,” Zegen told PEOPLE ofhis role onMaiselahead of its 2017 premiere. “It’s definitely the best part I think I’ve ever had. I’ve done so many cool shows but I’ve only been a guest star or a recurring character — I never knew if I was going to be in the next episode, let alone season 2.”
Zegen has also performed on Broadway; he made his debut in 2015’sA View from the Bridgeand starred in 2021’sTrouble in Mind.
As for his personal life, Zegen is dating actress Jennifer Damiano. The pair worked together on the 2020 Off-Broadway musical adaptation of the 1969 filmBob & Carol & Ted & Aliceand made theirred carpet debut at the 2022 Tony Awards.
Alex Borstein as Susie Myerson
Alex Borstein, 52, plays Midge’s no-nonsense manager Susie Myerson.
Borstein got her start in the Chicago comedy scene, training at the ACME Comedy Theater and eventually becoming a cast member on the sketch comedy television showMADtv. She’s also known for voicing Lois Griffin on the animated sitcomFamily Guy.
Borstein has also appeared in films likeThe Lizzie McGuire Movie(2003),Catwoman(2004),Dinner for Schmucks(2010), Ted (2012) andThe Angry Birds Movie(2016).
As for her personal life, Borstein married actor and writer Jackson Douglas in 1999, and the couple divorced in 2014 (it wasfinalized in 2017). They have two children together, a son and a daughter.
Tony Shalhoub as Abe Weissman
Amazon Studios
Tony Shalhoub, 69, plays mathematics professor at Columbia University-turned-theater critic and the father of Midge Maisel, Abe Weissman.
Shalhoub has had a prolific career on stage and screen. He made his Broadway debut in 1985’sThe Odd Coupleand other notable credits includeThe Heidi Chronicles(1988),Waiting for Godot(1998),Conversations with My Father(1992),Golden Boy(2013) andAct One(2014). In 2018, he won a Tony Award for his performance in the musicalThe Band’s Visit.
The actor is also known for his television roles; he played cab driver Antonio Scarpacci on the NBC sitcomWingsfrom 1991 to 1997 and the titular role of quirky detective Adrian Monk on USA’sMonkfrom 2002 to 2009, which earned him a Golden Globe in 2003.
Shalhoub’s film credits includeMen in Black(1997),Galaxy Quest(1999),Spy Kids(2001) and animated franchisesCarsandTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
As for his personal life, Shalhoub married actress Brooke Adams in 1992. The couple adoptedtwo daughterstogether and in 2020, the actor revealed their older daughter wasexpecting her first child later that year.
Marin Hinkle as Rose Weissman
Marin Hinkle, 57, plays Midge’s prim and proper mother Rose Weissman.
Hinkle got her start in the theater with notable Broadway credits such asThe TempestandElectra. She’s also appeared in television shows likeTwo and a Half Men,Homeland, Once and AgainandMadam Secretary.
Her film roles includeI’m Not Rappaport(1996),Frequency(2000),I Am Sam(2001) andDark Blue(2002). More recently, she appeared in the 2017 and 2019 remakes ofJumanjistarringDwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
“Each year there’s different kinds of movement emotionally,” Hinkle said of herMaiselcharacter during a 2022 interview withInsider. “There were these times that Rose was making big strides in who she was as more of a feminist. Then she went through days where she was seemingly going backward.”
In real life, the actress has been married to theater director Randall Sommer since 1997. The couple have one child together.
Kevin Pollak as Moishe Maisel
Nicole Rivelli/Amazon Studios
Kevin Pollak, 65, plays Joel Maisel’s father Moishe Maisel.
Pollak is a stand-up comedian himself as well as a celebrity impressionist. His first comedy special,Stop with the Kicking, aired on HBO in 1991 and in 2010, his specialThe Littlest Suspectaired on Showtime.
His film roles includeA Few Good Men(1992),Deterrence(1999),The Whole Nine Years, (2000) andThe Wedding Planner(2001). Pollak also appeared on the CBS sitcomMomand the FX seriesBetter Things.
As for his personal life, Pollak married comedian Lucy Webb in 1995, though they have since divorced.
Caroline Aaron as Shirley Maisel
Caroline Aaron, 70, plays Joel Maisel’s mother Shirley Maisel.
The actress has performed on stage, in film and on television. Her Broadway roles include Woody Allen’sRelatively SpeakingandThe Iceman Comethand she’s appeared in films likeHeartburn(1986),Edward Scissorhands(1990),Sleepless in Seattle(1993),21 Jump Street(2012) and22 Jump Street(2014).
Aaron’s television credits include guest roles onWings,Frasier,Curb Your Enthusiasm,Desperate Housewives, Transparent,Madam SecretaryandThe Good Fight.
As for her personal life, the actress has been married to James Foreman since 1980 and the couple have two children.
His film credits includeHalloween: Resurrection(2002),Mambo Italiano(2003),All Hat(2007),Labor Pains(2009) andTouched With Fire(2015).
In 2019, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series for his portrayal of Lenny Bruce onThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
Stephanie Hsu as Mei Lin
Stephanie Hsu, 32, plays Joel’s girlfriend Mei Lin.
Hsu gained attention as Mei Lin inThe Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, but her real breakthrough was as Joy Wang in A24’s Oscar-sweeping comedy-dramaEverything Everywhere All at Oncein 2022.She received widespread critical recognition for the role, including an Oscar nomination for best supporting actress.
In July 2023, she’s set to star in the raucous comedy filmJoy Ridealongside Ashley Park, Sherry Cola and Sabrina Wu.
Jane Lynch as Sophie Lennon
Jane Lynch, 62, plays Sophie Lennon, a comedian who wears a fat suit as part of her stand-up act.
The actress and comedian is best known for playing Sue Sylvester in Ryan Murphy’s musical comedy seriesGleeas well as numerous other television roles on shows likeThe X-Files,Criminal Minds,Gilmore Girls,Two and a Half MenandThe Good Fight.
Her film credits include supporting roles inThe 40-Year-Old Virgin,Walk Hard,Talladega Nights, Another Cinderella StoryandJulie and Julia.
Lynch made her Broadway debut as Miss Hannigan in the 2013 revival ofAnnieand in 2022, took on the role of Mrs. Brice in the revival ofFunny Girl.
As for her personal life, Lynch was married to psychologist Lara Embry from 2010 until they filed for divorce in 2013. In 2021, she married her partnerJennifer Cheyne.
Matilda Szydagis as Zelda
Courtesy of Amazon Studios
Matilda Szydagis plays the Weissman’s maid Zelda.
Her film credits includeThe First Wives Club(1996),Deconstructing Harry(1997) andThe Nanny Diaries(2007). She also appeared on two episodes ofThe Sopranos.
Kelly Bishop as Benedetta
Todd Williamson/January Images/Shutterstock
Kelly Bishop, 79, will join the final season ofThe Marvelous Mrs. Maiselas Benedetta, who was briefly introduced as an antagonist to Midge in season 4.
She began performing on Broadway in the late 1960s and in 1975, originated the role of Sheila inA Chorus Line, earning her a Tony Award. In 2011, she returned to Broadway in the revival ofAnything GoesstarringSutton Fosterand Joel Grey.
In real life, Bishop was married to talk show host Lee Leonard from 1981 until his death in 2018.
Alfie Fuller as Dinah Rutledge
Alfie Fuller is set to return toThe Marvelous Mrs. Maiselas a season 5 series regular playing Dinah Rutledge. The character was introduced in season 4 as Susie’s receptionist.
Jason Ralph as Mike Carr
Amazon Prime Video
Jason Ralph, 37, is set to return toThe Marvelous Mrs. Maiselin season 5 as comedy booker Mike Carr, who was introduced in season 4.
Ralph is known for starring in the Broadway musicalPeter and the Starcatcherand his television appearances on the Syfy seriesThe Magiciansand the period crime dramaAquarius.
His film credits includeI’m Obsessed With You(2014), which also starred Brosnahan, andA Most Violent Year(2014).
Ralph is married to Brosnahan.
source: people.com
