Wake Up Dead Man Cast: Daniel Craig, Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close & Full List | Knives Out 3 (2025)
The third instalment of Rian Johnson’s acclaimed mystery franchise has arrived. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery brings back the world’s greatest detective, Benoit Blanc, for a perplexing case set in a small-town Catholic parish. Daniel Craig returns as Blanc, joined by a sprawling ensemble of new suspects, each hiding secrets beneath a pious exterior.
With the film now streaming on Netflix after its November 2025 theatrical release, audiences are eager to learn who is who in this star-packed cast. From Oscar-nominated veterans to rising stars, the list is a masterclass in ensemble casting.
Who is in the cast of Wake Up Dead Man?
Benoit Blanc
Detective
Fr. Jud Duplenticy
Priest & Suspect
Martha Delacroix
Church Secretary
Mons. Jefferson Wicks
Victim
- Daniel Craig headlines as Benoit Blanc, the detective with a Southern drawl who has become a modern icon of the genre.
- Josh O’Connor, an Emmy and Golden Globe winner for The Crown, plays a priest with a violent boxing past.
- Glenn Close, an eight-time Oscar nominee, portrays a devout yet secretive church secretary.
- Josh Brolin is the charismatic firebrand priest whose murder sets the story in motion.
- The cast includes Mila Kunis, Jeremy Renner, Kerry Washington, and Andrew Scott in key roles.
- Rian Johnson writes and directs, continuing his streak of sharp, twist-filled screenplays.
- The film premiered in theatres on 26 November 2025 and began streaming on Netflix on 12 December 2025.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Director | Rian Johnson |
| Release (Theatrical) | 26 November 2025 |
| Release (Netflix) | 12 December 2025 |
| Lead Actor | Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc |
| Genre | Mystery / Thriller / Comedy / Drama |
| Rating | PG-13 |
| Written By | Rian Johnson |
| Produced By | Ram Bergman, Rian Johnson |
What role does Josh O’Connor play in Wake Up Dead Man?
Josh O’Connor plays Fr. Jud Duplenticy, also referred to as Rev. Jud Duplenticy in some sources. He is a young, good-hearted priest in the upstate New York parish where the murder takes place. Jud was formerly a boxer who reformed after killing a man in the ring, making him a prime suspect in Blanc’s investigation.
O’Connor came to international prominence portraying Prince Charles in The Crown, for which he won an Emmy and a Golden Globe. His recent film Challengers further cemented his reputation as one of the most compelling actors of his generation.
Josh O’Connor’s character, Fr. Jud Duplenticy, is described as the town’s good-hearted priest. His background as a reformed boxer who accidentally killed an opponent adds a layer of moral complexity to the role, positioning him as both a man of faith and a potential killer.
Who plays the killer in Wake Up Dead Man?
The identity of the killer in Wake Up Dead Man is not publicly confirmed in any available sourcing. Official cast guides from Netflix and Wikipedia list all suspects but do not disclose the murderer. This is a deliberate choice by the filmmakers to preserve the mystery for audiences worldwide.
What is known is that the victim is Monsignor Jefferson Wicks, played by Josh Brolin. The investigation by Benoit Blanc revolves around a missing inheritance and a circle of suspects that includes the priest Jud, the church secretary Martha Delacroix, the local police chief Geraldine Scott, a struggling doctor, a tightly-wound lawyer, a washed-up author, and several others. Any one of them could be the killer.
Who is Grace in the cast of Wake Up Dead Man?
Grace Wicks is a supporting character in the film, played by Annie Hamilton. Grace is a member of the Wicks family, though details about her exact relationship to the victim Monsignor Jefferson Wicks remain unspecified in the available sources. Annie Hamilton joins the ensemble as a relatively fresh face in a cast filled with A-list talent.
Is there a Wake Up Dead Man season 3?
This is a common source of confusion. Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is a feature film, not a television series. It is the third instalment in the film franchise that began with Knives Out (2019) and continued with Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022). There is no “season 3” — the narrative is serialised across films, each following Benoit Blanc on a new standalone case.
Each Knives Out entry is a self-contained feature film rather than an episodic season. Streaming platforms sometimes display movies in a series carousel, which can create the impression of seasonal content. Wake Up Dead Man is the third film, not a third season.
When did the Wake Up Dead Man cast come together?
The casting process for this ambitious ensemble unfolded over two months in mid-2024.
- May 2024: The first wave of cast announcements included Josh O’Connor, Cailee Spaeny, Andrew Scott, Kerry Washington, Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, Mila Kunis, and Daryl McCormack.
- June 2024: Josh Brolin and Thomas Haden Church were announced, completing the core suspect pool.
- Late 2024: Filming was completed ahead of a planned 2025 release window.
- 26 November 2025: The film premiered theatrically to audiences in the United States.
- 12 December 2025: Wake Up Dead Man launched globally on Netflix.
What is confirmed and what remains unclear about the cast?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Daniel Craig plays Benoit Blanc. | The identity of the killer. |
| Josh O’Connor plays Fr. Jud Duplenticy. | Full nature of Grace Wicks’ relationship to the victim. |
| Glenn Close plays Martha Delacroix. | Explicit filming locations (upstate New York is implied by the plot). |
| Josh Brolin plays Monsignor Jefferson Wicks (the victim). | Whether critical reviews were positive or mixed. |
| The film is a feature, not a TV season. | Details about the missing inheritance that drives the plot. |
How does Wake Up Dead Man fit into the Knives Out series?
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is the third feature film in Rian Johnson’s mystery franchise. Following the success of Knives Out (2019) and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022), this instalment shifts its thematic focus from family inheritance and tech billionaires to faith, secrets, and small-town religion. Daniel Craig’s Benoit Blanc remains the connective tissue between each story.
The series has built a reputation for casting actors in unexpected roles. Previous instalments featured Ana de Armas, Chris Evans, Janelle Monáe, and Edward Norton. Each film is a standalone mystery, making the franchise accessible to new viewers without requiring familiarity with earlier entries.
What are the sources behind the cast information?
Information regarding the Wake Up Dead Man cast comes from several reputable and official sources. Netflix’s official Tudum cast guide provides detailed biographies for the principal players. Wikipedia and Rotten Tomatoes offer cross-referenced credits that confirm actor-character pairings. Harper’s Bazaar and Town & Country also compiled cast guides around the film’s release.
“A star-studded ensemble anchored by Daniel Craig, with Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, and Josh Brolin leading a deep bench of talent.”
— Netflix Tudum, Wake Up Dead Man Cast Guide
“Josh O’Connor is a potential scene-stealer as Fr. Jud Duplenticy, a priest with a background as a reformed boxer.”
— Rotten Tomatoes, Wake Up Dead Man
What do we know about the full Wake Up Dead Man cast?
The complete cast of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery brings together an extraordinary range of acting talent. Daniel Craig leads as Benoit Blanc, supported by Josh O’Connor as Fr. Jud Duplenticy, Glenn Close as Martha Delacroix, and Josh Brolin as the victim Monsignor Jefferson Wicks. Mila Kunis plays Chief Geraldine Scott, Jeremy Renner is Dr. Nat Sharp, Kerry Washington portrays Vera Draven, and Andrew Scott plays Lee Ross. The ensemble also includes Cailee Spaeny, Daryl McCormack, Thomas Haden Church, Jeffrey Wright, Annie Hamilton, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt in a cameo voice role. For a full breakdown, see our earlier Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery (Knives Out 3) – Comprehensive Research Summary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have reviews been published for Wake Up Dead Man?
No verified critical reviews were included in the available sourcing, as the research was compiled around the time of release. For current reviews, check Rotten Tomatoes or Netflix.
Where were the filming locations for Wake Up Dead Man?
No explicit filming locations have been confirmed in the available sources. The plot implies an upstate New York setting, but no specific studios or towns have been named.
Where can I watch Wake Up Dead Man?
The film began streaming on Netflix on 12 December 2025. It was also released in theatres on 26 November 2025.
Did Daniel Craig get paid for multiple Knives Out films?
Yes. Daniel Craig reportedly received a $100 million deal to reprise his role as Benoit Blanc in multiple sequels, including Wake Up Dead Man.
Is Jeremy Renner in Wake Up Dead Man?
Yes. Jeremy Renner plays Dr. Nat Sharp, a town doctor struggling with alcoholism after a divorce. It is his first major film role since his 2023 snowplow accident.
What is the genre of Wake Up Dead Man?
The film is described as a mystery/thriller with elements of comedy and drama.
Who directed Wake Up Dead Man?
Rian Johnson directed, wrote, and produced the film alongside producer Ram Bergman.
How long is Wake Up Dead Man?
No exact runtime has been confirmed in the available sources.
Does Andrew Scott play a priest in Wake Up Dead Man?
Despite being well-known as the “Hot Priest” from Fleabag, Andrew Scott does not play a priest in this film. He plays Lee Ross, a formerly best-selling author trying to revive his career.
What is the connection between Wake Up Dead Man and Knives Out?
It is the third film in the same franchise, following Knives Out (2019) and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022). Daniel Craig returns as detective Benoit Blanc in an entirely new standalone mystery.
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