Interstellar Cast (2014)
Paramount Pictures / Warner Bros. Pictures | Science Fiction, Adventure, Drama | 169 min | Directed by Christopher Nolan
Interstellar is a 2014 science fiction epic in which a dying Earth forces a small crew of astronauts through a newly discovered wormhole near Saturn, in desperate search of a new home for humanity. The film weaves hard scientific concepts — gravitational time dilation, black holes, and the fifth dimension — into an emotionally grounded story about a father's love for his daughter. Produced on a budget of approximately $165 million, it grossed over $773 million worldwide and earned five Academy Award nominations, winning Best Visual Effects.
The Interstellar cast is anchored by Matthew McConaughey in a career-defining performance as Cooper, a widowed farmer and former NASA pilot recruited to pilot humanity's last hope. Anne Hathaway brings quiet determination to Dr. Amelia Brand, the mission's lead scientist and daughter of the project's architect. The film's emotional weight is carried across time by Mackenzie Foy as young Murph and Jessica Chastain as her adult counterpart — both delivering performances that make the film's non-linear emotional arc land with remarkable force. Michael Caine lends gravitas as Professor Brand, while a surprise appearance by Matt Damon as the enigmatic Dr. Mann delivers one of the film's most unsettling turns. The ensemble is rounded out by Wes Bentley, David Gyasi, John Lithgow, Ellen Burstyn, and Casey Affleck, each contributing meaningfully to the film's broad scope and intimate human drama.
Main Cast
Matthew McConaughey
Cooper
A former NASA pilot and engineer turned farmer who leads the Endurance mission through the wormhole to find a habitable planet.
Anne Hathaway
Dr. Amelia Brand
A brilliant NASA scientist and the daughter of Professor Brand who joins the mission with a personal stake in its outcome.
Jessica Chastain
Adult Murph
Cooper's grown daughter, a physicist working at NASA to solve Professor Brand's gravity equation and save humanity.
Mackenzie Foy
Young Murph
Cooper's curious and intelligent young daughter, whose bond with her father drives the film's emotional core.
Michael Caine
Professor Brand
The visionary NASA scientist who recruits Cooper and leads the theoretical work on gravity that underpins the mission.
Matt Damon
Dr. Mann
A celebrated scientist who was the first astronaut sent through the wormhole; his presence on his planet becomes a dangerous revelation.
Casey Affleck
Adult Tom
Cooper's son, who stays behind on Earth and watches the family farm as the world deteriorates around him.
Wes Bentley
Doyle
A NASA scientist and crew member of the Endurance who accompanies Cooper and Brand on their mission.
David Gyasi
Romilly
A physicist on the Endurance crew who studies the wormhole and makes significant sacrifices for the mission.
John Lithgow
Donald
Cooper's father-in-law, a steady and warm presence who helps raise Murph and Tom while Cooper is away.
Ellen Burstyn
Old Murph
The elderly version of Murph, shown in the film's final act as she lies on her deathbed surrounded by her family.
Supporting & Recurring Cast
| Actor | Character | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Timothée Chalamet | Young Tom | Cooper's son as a boy | Early scenes on the farm |
| Topher Grace | Getty | Adult Tom's neighbour and friend | Later Earth sequences |
| David Oyelowo | School Principal | Confronts Cooper over Murph's beliefs | Early Earth scenes |
| William Devane | Williams | NASA official | NASA briefing sequence |
| Collette Wolfe | Nurse Practitioner | Medical staff at the Cooper Station | Final act |
| Francis X. McCarthy | Murph's Teacher | Challenges Murph's unconventional thinking | School scene |
| Bill Irwin | TARS (voice) | Multifunctional robot crew member | Throughout mission |
| Josh Stewart | CASE (voice) | Second robot aboard the Endurance | Throughout mission |
Creators & Production
Christopher Nolan
Director & Co-Writer
Jonathan Nolan
Co-Writer (Screenplay)
Emma Thomas
Producer
Lynda Obst
Producer
Kip Thorne
Executive Producer & Scientific Consultant
Hans Zimmer
Composer
Hoyte van Hoytema
Cinematographer
Lee Smith
Film Editor
About the Interstellar Cast
Christopher Nolan assembled one of the most accomplished ensembles of his career for Interstellar. Matthew McConaughey was cast as Cooper following his celebrated "McConaissance" period — a run of critically acclaimed performances in Dallas Buyers Club and True Detective that cemented him as one of the finest dramatic actors of his generation. Anne Hathaway, fresh off her Oscar win for Les Misérables, brought intellectual depth and emotional subtlety to Dr. Amelia Brand. The dual casting of Mackenzie Foy and Jessica Chastain as young and adult Murph respectively required both actors to convey the same spirit across decades of screen time — a challenge both met with considerable skill. Chastain's portrayal of an adult Murph driven by grief, fury, and genius is widely regarded as one of the film's greatest assets.
The casting of Matt Damon as Dr. Mann was deliberately kept secret before the film's release, allowing his appearance to land as a genuine surprise. Nolan has worked repeatedly with Michael Caine across many films, and Caine's warm, scholarly authority as Professor Brand grounds the film's more abstract scientific concepts in recognisable humanity. The robots TARS and CASE — voiced respectively by Bill Irwin and Josh Stewart — became unexpectedly beloved by audiences for their dry wit and loyalty, demonstrating how voice performance and physical design can create vivid screen presences even without a human face.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who stars in Interstellar?
Interstellar stars Matthew McConaughey as Cooper, Anne Hathaway as Dr. Amelia Brand, Jessica Chastain as adult Murph, and Michael Caine as Professor Brand, among many others.
Who plays Cooper in Interstellar?
Matthew McConaughey plays Joseph Cooper, a former NASA pilot and engineer who leads the interstellar mission to find a habitable planet for humanity.
Who directed Interstellar?
Interstellar was directed by Christopher Nolan. The screenplay was written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan, based on concepts developed by theoretical physicist Kip Thorne.
When was Interstellar released?
Interstellar was released on November 7, 2014, in the United States by Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures.
Who plays Dr. Mann in Interstellar?
Matt Damon plays Dr. Mann, a renowned scientist whose presence on an apparently habitable planet becomes a pivotal and dangerous turning point in the mission.
Is there a sequel to Interstellar?
As of 2026, no official sequel to Interstellar has been released or confirmed by Christopher Nolan or the studios.
How we build these cast lists
For background on how Cast.biz compiles and orders cast credits, see understanding billing order, how TV show casts are built, and our glossary of cast credits.