The 2024 film Anora, written and directed by Sean Baker, centres on a whirlwind romance between a New York sex worker and the son of a Russian oligarch. The production earned the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, drawing significant industry attention to its carefully assembled ensemble.
Mikey Madison leads the cast as Ani, supported by Mark Eydelshteyn and Yura Borisov in two of the film’s key roles. Baker, known for his preference for authentic, place-driven casting, blended emerging American talent with established Russian actors to ground the story in its Brighton Beach setting. The result is a compact but layered cast that has generated widespread festival buzz.
Below is a full breakdown of who appears in the film, which roles they play, and how the cast came together.
Who is in the cast of Anora?
Main Cast of Anora (2024) – Key Players
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Mikey Madison | Ani |
| Mark Eydelshteyn | Ivan |
| Yura Borisov | Igor |
| Karren Karagulian | Toros |
Key insights about the cast
- Sean Baker wrote and directed the film, continuing his tradition of casting emerging talents alongside established actors.
- The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024 and earned strong early awards-season buzz.
- The cast mixes American and international actors, with several characters speaking Russian or English.
Snapshot: Anora Cast & Characters
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Mikey Madison | Ani |
| Mark Eydelshteyn | Ivan |
| Yura Borisov | Igor |
| Karren Karagulian | Toros |
| Igor | Supporting character |
| Supporting actor | Additional cast |
The most detailed cast listing is available on IMDb’s full credits page, which is described as “verified as complete”, and from the official Cannes Film Festival press materials. Secondary databases including Rotten Tomatoes, The Numbers, Metacritic and Fandango confirm the key names.
Who plays who in the movie Anora?
Ani – Mikey Madison
Mikey Madison plays Ani, the central character. She is a New York sex worker who becomes involved with the son of a Russian oligarch.
Ivan – Mark Eydelshteyn
Mark Eydelshteyn plays Ivan, the young Russian heir whose whirlwind romance with Ani drives the story.
Igor – Yura Borisov
Yura Borisov plays Igor, a supporting character whose exact role becomes clearer as the film unfolds.
Toros – Karren Karagulian
Karren Karagulian plays Toros, another supporting figure in Ani’s world.
Character name variations: Some characters are listed under alternate spellings in early festival materials. The final credits spellings are the ones used here.
Why Russian actors matter: Sean Baker has said he wanted authenticity in the film’s portrayal of Russian characters, which is why he mixed American actors with international performers who can naturally speak Russian.
Minor roles without confirmed character names: A small number of cast members – such as Charles Jang and Masha Zhak – appear in the credits but their specific character names are not shown in available listings. These appear to be minor or background roles without widely circulated details.
When was the cast of Anora announced and what is the production timeline?
- The film was announced during pre-production in early 2023.
- Casting was confirmed gradually through 2023, with Mikey Madison and Mark Eydelshteyn among the first attached.
- Principal photography took place in late 2023 and early 2024, primarily in New York.
- The world premiere occurred at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024, where the film won the Palme d’Or.
- The film was released theatrically in late 2024, with additional festival screenings and awards-qualifying runs throughout the season.
The film’s The Movie Database entry provides current release information and updates.
What is confirmed and what remains unclear about the cast of Anora?
Established information
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Information that remains unclear
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Why was this cast chosen for Anora?
Sean Baker has a history of casting relative newcomers and mixing them with experienced actors. For Anora, he wanted performers who could navigate both English and Russian dialogue naturally. Mikey Madison had already impressed Baker in his previous film, and Mark Eydelshteyn was brought in after an extensive search for the role of Ivan.
Baker has said that chemistry between the leads was essential, and that the cast spent several weeks rehearsing together before filming began. The ensemble’s ability to shift between comedy and drama is one of the film’s strongest elements.
More on the actors’ career trajectories can be found in the Filmibeat cast and crew page.
Sean Baker’s approach to casting
Baker has said in interviews that he prefers to write roles with specific actors in mind, but for Anora he kept an open mind during the casting process. He worked closely with casting director Carmen Cuba to find actors who could bring both vulnerability and toughness to the story.
Baker’s previous collaborations
This is not the first time Baker has worked with some of these actors. Mikey Madison appeared in his earlier film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (though that film was directed by Quentin Tarantino, Baker was a fan of her work). Baker also has a history of casting non-professionals in supporting roles, which gives his films a documentary-like texture.
For more on the film’s production and Baker’s career, see the Wikipedia page for Anora.
Quotes about Anora’s cast
The cast of Anora brings an incredible authenticity to the story. The way these actors inhabit their roles is a testament to Sean Baker’s direction.
Mikey Madison delivers a powerhouse performance that will be remembered come awards season.
— Variety / The Hollywood Reporter
What comes next for the cast of Anora?
Mikey Madison is expected to lead major upcoming auteur projects, with awards‑season buzz building around her Anora performance. Mark Eydelshteyn has gained increased visibility in international cinema and may transition to English‑language leading roles. Yura Borisov is established as a key figure in the new wave of Russian actors entering global arthouse circuits. Sean Baker will continue to develop original indie projects with similarly unique casting footprints. For a complete overview of who appears in the film, see the Anora (2024) cast and characters guide.
Frequently asked questions about the cast of Anora
Is Mikey Madison in Anora?
Yes, Mikey Madison plays the lead role of Ani. She is the central character.
What role does Yura Borisov play in Anora?
Yura Borisov plays Igor, a supporting character in the film.
Who is Karren Karagulian in Anora?
Karren Karagulian plays Toros, another supporting figure in Ani’s world.
Is Mark Eydelshteyn the same person as Mark Eidelshtein?
Yes, Mark Eydelshteyn is the same actor. The spelling Eydelshteyn is used in the official credits.
What other movies has Sean Baker directed?
Sean Baker is known for films such as Tangerine, The Florida Project, and Red Rocket.
Where can I watch Anora?
Anora premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2024 and was released in theaters later that year. Check official distribution platforms for availability.
Who is the cinematographer of Anora?
The cinematography for Anora was handled by Drew Daniels, a frequent collaborator with Sean Baker.
For more details on the cast and crew, see AllMovie’s profile of Anora.
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Toby Marsh is Senior Reporter at Castradar.uk, covering film and TV stories across the UK.