Michael cast: Who appears in the King of Pop’s biopic?

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Even before it came out, the new movie ‘Michael’ has clearly divided audiences, with strong opinions on both sides.

The film focuses on a truly legendary musician – one of the most famous people in history – but his life and career have been shadowed by accusations made both during his lifetime and after his death, creating a complex legacy.

Even with some concerns and generally unfavorable reviews, the movie is expected to be very successful at the box office.

The upcoming film features Michael Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar, as the King of Pop himself, alongside a talented cast of well-known actors. Keep reading to discover who’s playing whom, with photos comparing the actors to the real people they portray.

Michael cast: Who appears in the King of Pop’s biopic?

See the complete cast list below. You’ll find more details about the leading actors if you scroll down.

  • Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson
    • Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael
  • Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson
  • Nia Long as Katherine Jackson
  • Miles Teller as John Branca
  • Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe
  • KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray
  • Jamal R. Henderson as Jermaine Jackson
    • Jayden Harville as young Jermaine
  • Tre Horton as Marlon Jackson
    • Jaylen Lyndon Hunter as young Marlon
  • Rhyan Hill as Tito Jackson
    • Judah Edwards as young Tito
  • Joseph David-Jones as Jackie Jackson
    • Nathaniel Logan McIntyre as young Jackie
  • Jessica Sula as La Toya Jackson
  • Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones
  • Larenz Tate as Berry Gordy
  • Liv Symone as Gladys Knight
  • Kevin Shinick as Dick Clark
  • Mike Myers as Walter Yetnikoff
  • Deon Cole as Don King

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Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was a globally renowned pop star who first gained fame with the Jackson 5. He became known as the “King of Pop” and achieved massive success with albums like Thriller, featuring hit songs such as “Billie Jean” and “Don’t Stop ’til You Get Enough.” Later in his life, he faced numerous allegations that sparked considerable controversy surrounding his legacy.

I’m really excited to see Jaafar Jackson in a movie! While he’s put out a few songs already, this is actually his first time acting – and it’s amazing considering he’s Michael Jackson’s nephew!

Juliano Krue Valdi as young Michael

Besides this project, Juliano Krue Valdi has appeared in an episode of the TV show 9-1-1 and provided the voice for the main character in the English version of the Oscar-nominated film, Arco. However, this is his most significant role yet.

Colman Domingo as Joe Jackson

Joe Jackson was Michael Jackson’s father, and is known for being a strict and demanding figure who heavily controlled his children’s lives and careers.

Colman Domingo has had a busy and successful career! He earned his first Academy Award nomination in 2023 for playing Bayard Rustin in the film Rustin, and followed that up with another Oscar nomination for his role in Sing Sing. He also starred in the Netflix series The Madness. Many will recognize him from shows like Fear the Walking Dead and Euphoria, and films including If Beale Street Could Talk, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and The Colour Purple. More recently, he lent his voice to the character of The Cowardly Lion in Wicked: Part Two.

Nia Long as Katherine Jackson

Katherine Jackson is Michael Jackson’s mother and was a key figure in supporting her children as they became famous.

Nia Long is well-known for playing Lisa Wilkes on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. More recently, she’s appeared in shows like Dear White People, Empire, and blackAF. She’s also starred in popular films such as Boyz n the Hood, Friday, and Big Momma’s House.

Miles Teller as John Branca

John Branca is a prominent entertainment lawyer who worked with Michael Jackson for many years. He currently leads The Michael Jackson Company and helps manage Jackson’s estate.

Besides his recent success in Top Gun: Maverick, Miles Teller has starred in a variety of films and TV shows. Some of his notable film roles include Footloose, The Spectacular Now, Whiplash, and all three movies in The Divergent series. He also played Mister Fantastic in the 2015 Fantastic Four film. On television, he’s appeared in Too Old to Die Young and The Offer.

Laura Harrier as Suzanne de Passe

Suzanne de Passe is a legendary former executive at Motown Records. She played a key role in launching the careers of the Jackson 5.

Besides her role in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Laura Harrier has appeared in films like BlacKkKlansman and White Men Can’t Jump. On television, she’s been in shows including One Life to Live, Hollywood, and Doctor Odyssey.

Kendrick Sampson as Quincy Jones

Quincy Jones is a highly influential musician best known for his close working relationship with Michael Jackson. He famously produced Jackson’s hugely successful albums, including “Off the Wall,” “Thriller,” and “Bad.”

Kendrick Sampson is famous for his roles on television, including appearances in popular shows like The Vampire Diaries, Gracepoint, How to Get Away with Murder, The Flash, and Insecure.

KeiLyn Durrel Jones as Bill Bray

Who is Bill Bray? Jackson’s long-standing bodyguard.

Besides his current work, KeiLyn Durrel Jones has appeared in the series Succession, as well as The Other Two and How to Die Alone.

Mike Myers as Walter Yetnikoff

Walter Yetnikoff was the president of Epic Records and played a key role in Michael Jackson’s success.

Mike Myers first became well-known as a performer on Saturday Night Live. He then starred in several popular movies, including Wayne’s World, the Austin Powers films, and he famously voiced Shrek. He’s also appeared in films like Inglourious Basterds, Bohemian Rhapsody, and Amsterdam.

Michael is released in UK cinemas on Wednesday 22 April.

Authors

Patrick CremonaSenior Film Writer

Patrick Cremona writes about movies for TopMob, covering new releases in theaters and on streaming platforms. He’s been with the site since October 2019, and during that time has interviewed many famous actors and reviewed all kinds of films.

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2026-04-21 20:12