Black Bag cast and character guide: Who plays whom in the spy film?

Black Bag is the latest project from Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh. It's a spy thriller based on Jurassic Park writer David Koepp. This is Soderbergh and Koepp's second collaboration this year after Presence. The horror film showed them exploring the mysteries of the unknown. Now, the latest film shows them dissecting the mysteries of the deceptive world of espionage.

The film's central cast includes Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, and Naomie Harris. Its official synopsis, per IMDb, reads,

"When intelligence agent Kathryn Woodhouse is suspected of betraying the nation, her husband - also a legendary agent - faces the ultimate test of whether to be loyal to his marriage, or his country."

Soderbergh is vastly known for his work on Traffic, Erin Brockovich, and Palme d'Or-winning Sex, Lies, and Videotape. Koepp's collaborations with Steven Speilberg are his most well-known. He has contributed to lucrative franchises like Indiana Jones, Mission Impossible, and Jurassic Park.

Black Bag shows Koepp working with a director, known more for his independent cinema discipline. Their collaboration seems to have proven fruitful, considering the film's 97% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Black Bag: Full list of main cast and characters explored

A new Soderbergh film, backed by Universal Pictures, has just hit the theaters. Black Bag is a psychological spy thriller set in London that follows an NCSC agent's investigation into a mole. One of the suspects happens to be his wife. Written by David Koepp, this film was released in US theaters on March 14, 2025.

1) Cate Blanchett as Kathryn St. Jean

Cate Blanchett as Kathryn St. Jean (Image via YouTube/@FocusFeatures)

Cate Blanchett plays Kathryn St. Jean, who has been an agent of the highly secretive National Cyber Security Centre (NCIS) for many years. The film unravels after she is suspected of being a mole. Blanchett is known for her roles in Blue Jasmine, Carol, and Tar. Black Bag is reportedly her third collaboration with Steven Soderbergh.

While speaking about Blanchett's character and her performance, her co-star Fassbender said,

“It said Kathryn is the head of the table, wherever she sits but Cate also brings something that I didn’t see on the page. There’s a lot of ambiguity in her performance. Kathryn has built a sturdy exterior wall even for George, but there is vulnerability within her as well."

2) Michael Fassbender as George Woodhouse

Michael Fassbender as George Woodhouse (Image via YouTube/@universalpicturesuk)

Michael Fassbender plays George, the NCIS agent, central to the film's investigation into a mole. He is a seasoned professional with tons of experience under his belt. Much like his character, Fassbender is a seasoned performer, having starred in acclaimed projects like Shame, Hunger, Steve Jobs, and most recently, Kneecap.

While addressing casting Fassbender in this central role, Steven Soderbergh reportedly said,

"I knew he [Fassbender] wouldn’t be afraid to play the interiority of George. He burrowed in deep while creating a calm surface that masks a lot of turbulence. Michael can imply a great deal without being flashy.”

3) Marisa Abela as Clarissa Dubose

Marisa Abela plays Clarissa Dubose, a young agent and a suspected mole, who's in a relationship with agent Freddie Smalls. Abela, most famously known for her work in HBO's Industry, recently led Back to Black, a music biopic based on singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse.

The production notes of Black Bag stated that,

“Clarissa presents herself as strong and fierce, but she’s quite sensitive, potentially too sensitive for this world. It seems enticing to her, but the brutality of it is shocking.”

4) Naomie Harris as Dr. Zoe Vaughan

Naomie Harris plays Dr. Zoe Vaughan, a psychiatrist, trusted with approving the NCIS agents' reliability. Harris was a part of Oscar-winning Moonlight's cast. She has also been in James Bond thrillers like Spectre and Skyfall.

While speaking about her character in Black Bag, Harris said,