The 11 22 63 Cast: Who Brought Stephen King's Time-Travel Story To Life?

Dr. Carolyne Mertz

21 Jul, 2025

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Stepping back in time, even just for a moment, is a thought that captures many imaginations. When a television series manages to bring such a grand idea to life, it often comes down to the people on screen. The miniseries 11 22 63, based on Stephen King's gripping tale, really did just that. It pulled viewers into a world where altering the past could change everything, and the talent of its 11 22 63 cast made every twist and turn feel very real, you know?

This show asks a lot of its actors, making them carry the weight of history and the future. It’s a story where a school teacher, Jake Epping, gets a chance to go back and try to stop the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. That date, 11 22 63, is more than just numbers; it is a moment in time many people recall, so the actors had to make it feel important, too.

We are going to look at the main actors who made this compelling story happen. We will explore their performances and how they shaped the series. It is a chance to remember the faces behind those memorable characters and appreciate what they brought to this unique time-travel adventure. As of June 2024, the series still holds a special spot for many viewers, and the performances are a big reason why.

James Franco as Jake Epping
- Personal Details: James Franco
Sarah Gadon as Sadie Dunhill
- Personal Details: Sarah Gadon
Chris Cooper as Al Templeton
- Personal Details: Chris Cooper
Daniel Webber as Lee Harvey Oswald
- Personal Details: Daniel Webber
George MacKay as Bill Turcotte
- Personal Details: George MacKay
T.R. Knight as Johnny Clayton
- Personal Details: T.R. Knight
Other Notable Cast Members
Frequently Asked Questions About the 11 22 63 Cast
Bringing the Story Home

James Franco as Jake Epping

James Franco took on the main part of Jake Epping, the high school teacher who finds a way to travel back to 1960. His performance really had to carry the whole show, and it did. He showed Jake’s wonder, his confusion, and his growing burden as he tried to change the past. It was a big job, portraying someone who sees so much and has to make such hard choices.

He had to be believable as a regular person thrown into an extraordinary situation. You saw him struggle with the rules of time travel, with the danger, and with the feelings he developed for people in the past. His portrayal made you feel like you were right there with him, experiencing the excitement and the fear. It was, you know, a very human look at a very strange idea.

Before 11 22 63, James Franco was already well-known for many different kinds of roles. He had been in big movies and smaller, more thoughtful films. Some might remember him from the Spider-Man films as Harry Osborn, or his work in Pineapple Express, which was a comedy. He also earned praise for his part in 127 Hours, where he played a real-life adventurer caught in a tough spot. So, he brought a lot of experience to Jake Epping, which was quite clear.

His acting in this series showed his range. He made Jake a character you could cheer for, even when things got really messy. He captured the essence of a man trying to do something good, no matter the personal cost. It was a performance that truly anchored the whole narrative, and, like, you could feel his commitment to the role.

Personal Details: James Franco

Detail	Information
Full Name	James Edward Franco
Birth Date	April 19, 1978
Birth Place	Palo Alto, California, USA
Main Role in 11 22 63	Jake Epping / George Amberson
Other Notable Works	Spider-Man trilogy, Pineapple Express, 127 Hours, The Disaster Artist

Sarah Gadon as Sadie Dunhill

Sarah Gadon played Sadie Dunhill, a librarian in 1960s Jodie, Texas, who becomes Jake’s love interest. Her character brings a lot of warmth and a touch of normal life to Jake’s very unusual mission. She is a bright spot in his often-dangerous journey, and her story adds a layer of heart to the sci-fi elements. It’s a very important part, really.

Sadie’s journey in the show is also quite something. She goes from being a kind, somewhat reserved woman to someone who faces danger and personal struggles with a lot of strength. Sarah Gadon made Sadie feel very real and easy to connect with. Her chemistry with James Franco was something many viewers talked about, as it made their relationship feel quite genuine.

Before 11 22 63, Sarah Gadon had already made a name for herself in various Canadian and international productions. She often worked with director David Cronenberg, appearing in films like A Dangerous Method and Cosmopolis. She also had roles in the miniseries Alias Grace, where she played the main character, and in the movie Enemy. So, she has a history of playing complex and interesting women, which helped her bring Sadie to life.

Her performance as Sadie shows a quiet strength, a resilience that shines through even in hard times. She is not just a romantic interest; she is a person with her own life and her own battles, and Sarah Gadon made sure you felt that. It was, you know, a very layered portrayal that added a lot of feeling to the story.

Personal Details: Sarah Gadon

Detail	Information
Full Name	Sarah Lynn Gadon
Birth Date	April 4, 1987
Birth Place	Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Main Role in 11 22 63	Sadie Dunhill
Other Notable Works	A Dangerous Method, Cosmopolis, Enemy, Alias Grace

Chris Cooper as Al Templeton

Chris Cooper played Al Templeton, the diner owner who first tells Jake about the time portal. Al is the one who sets Jake on his mission, and he is a very important guide, at least at the start. His character is a bit gruff but has a deep sense of purpose and a lot of weariness from his own attempts to change history. He has seen a lot, so to speak.

Chris Cooper brought a real sense of history and sadness to Al. You could feel the weight of what Al had tried to do and the personal cost it took on him. His scenes with James Franco are very strong, setting up the whole premise of the show and giving Jake the push he needs. He is, in some respects, the reason the story even happens.

Chris Cooper is a well-respected actor with a long career. He has been in many memorable films and often plays characters with a lot of depth. He won an Academy Award for his work in Adaptation, where he played a quirky orchid hunter. He also had important roles in movies like American Beauty, Seabiscuit, and The Bourne Identity. His presence always adds a lot to any project he is in, and this was no different, really.

His performance in 11 22 63, though brief, is quite powerful. He conveys the heavy burden of knowing too much and the hope that Jake might succeed where he could not. It is a very solid start to the whole adventure, and his acting makes you believe the unbelievable right away.

Personal Details: Chris Cooper

Detail	Information
Full Name	Christopher W. Cooper
Birth Date	July 9, 1951
Birth Place	Kansas City, Missouri, USA
Main Role in 11 22 63	Al Templeton
Other Notable Works	Adaptation, American Beauty, Seabiscuit, The Bourne Identity

Daniel Webber as Lee Harvey Oswald

Daniel Webber played Lee Harvey Oswald, the man accused of assassinating President Kennedy. This was a very challenging role, as Oswald is a figure surrounded by so much history and mystery. Daniel Webber had to portray a person who is often seen in a very specific light, and he did so with a lot of care and intensity. It was a very, very difficult character to play.

His portrayal shows Oswald as a complex and troubled individual, not just a simple villain. He explores Oswald’s frustrations, his anger, and his desire for recognition. The series spends a lot of time with Oswald, letting viewers see his daily life and his interactions with those around him. This gave Daniel Webber a lot of room to show different sides of the character, which was important.

Before 11 22 63, Daniel Webber was primarily known for his work in Australian television. He had roles in shows like K9 and Home and Away. His role as Oswald was a big step for him on the international stage, and it really put him on the map for many viewers outside of Australia. He has since gone on to other projects, too.

His performance is one of the standout parts of the show. He managed to make Oswald feel human, even as his actions lead to a dark moment in history. It is a very nuanced portrayal that avoids easy answers, and you can tell he put a lot into it. He captured the mood of the time, so to speak, in his character.

Personal Details: Daniel Webber

Detail	Information
Full Name	Daniel Peter Webber
Birth Date	June 28, 1988
Birth Place	Gosford, New South Wales, Australia
Main Role in 11 22 63	Lee Harvey Oswald
Other Notable Works	K9, Home and Away, The Punisher, Escape from Pretoria

George MacKay as Bill Turcotte

George MacKay plays Bill Turcotte, a young man from the past who Jake brings into his mission. Bill becomes Jake’s assistant and friend, but his involvement also brings unexpected problems. His character highlights the unintended results of changing the past, and he serves as a sort of mirror for Jake’s own moral questions. He is, like, a very important part of the story's complications.

Bill’s journey is one of the most tragic in the series. He starts out as an innocent bystander but gets caught up in something far bigger than himself. George MacKay showed Bill’s gradual decline and his struggle with the heavy secrets he shares with Jake. It’s a very moving performance that adds a lot of emotional weight to the show.

George MacKay is a British actor who has been in several notable films. He gained a lot of attention for his leading role in the war film 1917, where he played a soldier on a desperate mission. He also appeared in films like Captain Fantastic and Pride. He has a history of taking on roles that require a lot of emotional depth, which was perfect for Bill. He has, apparently, a real knack for those kinds of parts.

His work as Bill Turcotte is a powerful example of how even supporting characters can have a big impact. He makes you feel for Bill, even as his choices become more difficult. It is a performance that stays with you, showing the human cost of Jake’s grand plan. He really brought that character to life, you know.

Personal Details: George MacKay

Detail	Information
Full Name	George Andrew MacKay
Birth Date	March 13, 1992
Birth Place	London, England
Main Role in 11 22 63	Bill Turcotte
Other Notable Works	1917, Captain Fantastic, Pride, Peter Pan

T.R. Knight as Johnny Clayton

T.R. Knight played Johnny Clayton, Sadie Dunhill’s estranged and often violent husband. His character is a source of real tension and danger for Jake and Sadie. Johnny is a troubled man, and his presence complicates Jake’s mission in ways Jake never saw coming. He is, basically, a very unsettling presence in the story.

T.R. Knight brought a chilling intensity to Johnny. He made the character feel genuinely threatening, which was important for the story’s dramatic stakes. His scenes are often very tense, and he really makes you feel the fear that Sadie experiences. It is a powerful performance that adds a lot of conflict to the narrative.

Most people probably know T.R. Knight from his role as Dr. George O’Malley on the popular medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. His work on that show earned him a lot of fans and critical praise. He has also appeared in various stage productions and other television series. He is, you know, a very versatile actor who can play many different kinds of parts.

His portrayal of Johnny Clayton shows a different side of his acting abilities. He steps into a darker role and makes it believable, which is a testament to his skill. He truly embodied the character’s unsettling nature, adding a very real human threat to Jake’s time-traveling adventure.