The 'Tiny Pretty Things' Stars Are Bound to Become Your New Favorite Actors
1) Lauren Holly
Lauren Holly plays Madame Monique Dubois, a former dancer and the ambitious head of the Archer School of Ballet. Madame Dubois holds a unique power over the academy, using her dark capacities to defend the conservatory and bring out the best in her students — regardless of what it takes to do so.
Holly is best known for her roles in Dumb & Dumber, Picket Fences, Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, What Women Want, and Designated Survivor.
Unlike a lot of the other characters in the show, Dubois wasn't in the book, so the long-time actress will be bringing a whole new character in the world. "People aren't all good or all bad," Holly told Pop Culture about her character. "You react to situations with the tools that you have from the experiences that you have. That is definitely Monique. She is a complicated woman, and I just adore playing her."
2) Kylie Jefferson
Contemporary ballet dancer and actress Kylie Jefferson plays Neveah, a talented ballerina who was just offered a chance to attend Archer.
This is Jefferson's first major acting role, after starring and dancing in commercials and films as a child. She choreographed rapper ScHoolboy Q's "CHopstix" music video. She's also performed at the 2020 Grammy Awards and the NAACP Image Awards.
Jefferson's character is a rebel whose fierce determination pushes her to make a place for herself in the world of ballet. "She has her own sense of justice and does not stop at any cost. I love that confidence about her. It's a fight that is so necessary," Jefferson told online community Black Girl Nerds about Neveah. "She's the type of person who stands up for everyone. There's no one who can be bullied or disrespected in front of Neveah. But she’s also still very soft. "
3) Casimere Jollette
Casimere Jollette takes on the role of Bette, an ambitious music box ballerina who's polished, beautiful, confident, and rich. Based on the trailer, she seems like the typical mean girl you'd find in a high school setting. She's one of the three top students at the ballet school and has a chip on her shoulder as the sister of a ballet star, according to the book's synopsis.
Jollette made her television debut in a 2014 episode of Chicago P.D. The following year, she landed the lead role as Linz in Guidance, a Hulu series, and her acting career truly blossomed. Since then, she's starred in numerous dance commercials and F.R.E.D.I., a Netflix family feature film. Jollette can also be seen in Code Black, Dirty John, and This Is Us.
4) Daniela Norman
British actress and dancer Daniela Norman plays June, another one of the top three dancers at Archer. Unlike Bette, June is more reserved, shy, and insecure.
Norman turned her focus to acting after years of dancing. She landed the role of Alternate Lise Dassin, the protagonist in famed musical An American in Paris, which gave her the chance to occasionally play the lead when the main actress needed rest. Norman also took on the role of Demeter in the Cats feature film.
5) Brennan Clost
Brennan Clost takes on the role of Shane, a small-town dancer who was tormented by his peers because of his passion for dance. As his family's greatest hope for success, he won't let anything get in his way.
Clost spoke to Backstage about his audition process for the role of Shane, and said it was anything but easy. "They had us prepare and learn an entire ballet class, plus improvising solos and a dance reel if you had one, and then 10 pages of sides," he told Backstage. "So they were really looking for people who could do both, that they didn't have to dance-double for the series."
In real life, the 26-year-old graduated from Julliard and has appeared as Daniel in The Next Step, a TV show where dancers prepare for a regional competition, and their loyalties are put to the test.
6) Michael Hsu Rosen
Michael Hsu Rosen plays Nabil, a Malaysian-born dancer who just moved to Chicago to attend Archer. He's worldly and incredibly talented, carrying himself with intimidating levels of power and potential.
Rosen began his acting career on Broadway in 2009 when he played Chino in the West Side Story revival. A few years later, after withdrawing from Yale University, he returned to the stage to star opposite Priscilla Lopez in Somewhere at Hartford Stage. He has since appeared in several shows and films, including Jessica Jones, Looking, Taxi Brooklyn, Monsterland, and The Empty Building.
7) Damon J. Gillespie
Damon J Gillespie plays Caleb, a talented-yet-damaged dancer who uses humor and his undeniable talent to cope with a deep loss. And he has a secret that could completely unravel Archer School of Ballet.
Gillespie starred in Broadway's rendition of Newsies in 2014, was an ensemble member in the Aladdin musical two years later, played the role of Chino in Carnegie Hall's West Side Story, and most recently in Alliance Theatre World's The Prom. As for his onscreen credits? The actor has appeared in Rise, Empire, and The Society.
8) Bayardo De Murguia
The Mexican-American actor portrays Ramon, a former bad-boy dancer who has become a visionary choreographer at Archer. He doesn't take criticism well, especially from students, which causes a rift at the school and with his girlfriend, Delia.
Bayardo De Murguia first fell in love with acting when he was in college, performing several Shakespeare shows at the Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park, San Diego. Since then, he's worked in television, film, commercials, and voiceovers. His network television debut came as Agent Silva on CSI. He's also appeared on Shooter, NCIS, and Chance.
9) Barton Cowperthwaite
Barton Cowperthwaite plays Oren, the classic pretty boy whose wealth and good looks have given him everything he could ever want. But beneath his careless fa?ade lies a dysfunctional obsession with his body, leading to a need for physical perfection.
"We worked so hard, we are so proud," Cowperthwaite wrote of Tiny Pretty Things in an Instagram caption. "We hope you love the characters, the stories, and the dancing! December 14th, and everyone who joins us on this adventure, we love you."
Cowperthwaite can be seen as a dancer in the popular TV show Fosse/Verdon and in 2016's Center Stage: On Point.
10) Tory Trowbridge
Tory Trowbridge takes on the role of Delia, Bette's older sister and an internationally known dancer. She's the family's golden child, causing tension between the two sisters. This only intensifies when Delia returns to Chicago after two years of dancing abroad and embraces her inner diva.
Trowbidge's Broadway credits include An American in Paris and The Cher Show, while her film and television credits consist of Isn't It Romantic, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and The Couple.
11) Jess Salgueiro
Jess Salgueiro plays Isabel, a cop who did two tours in Afghanistan before trading in one uniform for another. Her ambition and moral compass make her uniquely qualified to find out the truth about the academy and exactly how its prima ballerina "fell" off the four-story building.
The Canadian actress is most known for her roles in Working Moms, Letterkenny, The Boys, and The Expanse, just to name a few.
12) Anna Maiche
Anna Maiche takes on the role of Cassie Shore, Archer's star student who "falls" off the four-story building. According to Deadline, Cassie narrates the show from beyond the grave.
Maiche is known for The French Teacher, Glass Doors, and has two upcoming projects slated for 2021, Women and Wicked (The Wicked Trilogy).
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Most of them danced professionally and have recently got into acting.