Locked Down Cast & Character Guide: Every Cameo Explained

Locked Down cast is led by two big name actors but also features a handful of celebrity cameos. The HBO Max heist film was written by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) and directed by Doug Liman (The Bourne Identity), which – on paper – suggests that it’s destined to be a 2021 hit. So far, though, Locked Down hasn’t resonated with critics, despite its impressive group of performers.

In Locked Down, former lovers Linda and Paxton share a London flat while dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. As the CEO of Miracore UK, Linda must lay-off various employees via Zoom, and she also meets with employees online to strategize for a multi-million insurance plan involving luxury items that will be kept at London’s closed Harrods store. Meanwhile, Paxton mopes around after being furloughed, but then receives an under-the-table cash opportunity from his boss, one that will put him at Harrods on the same evening that his ex will be there. Rather than arguing about their weekend plans, Linda and Paxton decide to work together and prepare for a moment of truth.

The Locked Down cast is led primarily by Anne Hathaway and Chiwetel Ejiofor. What makes the film especially unique, however, are numerous cameo appearances from other high-profile performers who show up in small roles. So, even if Locked Down may not end up being a COVID-era classic, there’s enough star power to keep HBO Max subscribers entertained during the 118-minute runtime.

Anne Hathaway As Linda Thurman

Anne Hathaway stars as Linda Thurman, the CEO of Miracore UK who is locked down with her ex-boyfriend, Paxton, a man that she hasn’t acknowledged to her co-workers. When a professional twist of fate leads them to London’s Harrods store on a Saturday night, Linda is forced to either embrace or run from “the moment.”

Hathaway starred as Selina Kyle in The Dark Knight Rises and Kym in Rachel Getting Married. She earned an Oscar for her portrayal of Fantine in Les Misérables and recently starred as Grand High Witch in The Witches on HBO Max.

Chiwetel Ejiofor As Paxton Riggs

Chiwetel Ejiofor co-stars as Paxton Riggs, a down-and-out Londoner who spends lockdown with his ex-girlfriend, Linda. Paxton never learned how to ride a bike yet owns a motorcycle, one that he plans to sell during the difficult times of COVID-19. When Paxton’s boss Malcolm offers him a cash job after being furloughed, he assumes a new identity as “Edgar Allen Poe,” a driver with a secret to protect.

Ejiofor starred as Solomon Northup in 12 Years a Slave and Trywell Kamkwamba in The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind. Disney fans may recognize his voice as Scar from The Lion King, while Netflix audiences may remember him as Copley from The Old Guard.

Stephen Merchant As Michael Morgan

Stephen Merchant portrays Michael Morgan, the Acting Deputy Head for Herrods’ event security. He speaks with Linda during a Zoom call and then spots her at Harrods on a Saturday evening.

Merchant co-created The Office UK and Extras with Ricky Gervais. He portrayed Caliban in Logan and Frans Balder in The Girl in the Spider’s Web.

Mindy Kaling As Kate Smith

Mindy Kaling appears as Kate Smith, a Harrods events employee who discusses the security system on a Zoom call with Michael and Linda.

Kaling portrayed Kelly Kapoor in The Office and starred as Mindy Lahiri in The Mindy Project. She also voiced Disgust in Inside Out and recently headlined Late Night as Molly Patel.

Lucy Boynton As Charlotte

Lucy Boynton has a small role as Charlotte, Linda’s former Harrods co-worker who reveals that she’s lost weight from stress. Charlotte plays a role in the central heist plan, as she’s one of the security heads.

Boynton starred as Raphina in Sing Street, Mary Austin in Bohemian Rhapsody, and Countess Elena Andrenyi in Murder on the Orient Express. Netflix subscribers may know her as Astrid Sloan from The Politician.

Dulé Hill As David

Dulé Hill provides comedic relief as Paxton’s half-brother, David, who claims to have bought his sibling’s Triumph motorcycle.

Hill portrayed Charlie Young in The West Wing and starred as Burton Guster in Psych. He recently appeared as Larry Siefert in Ballers and Marcus Duane Wainwright III in Black Monday.

Ben Stiller As Guy

Ben Stiller also delivers some low-key comedy as Guy, Linda’s boss who moved his family from Chicago to Vermont. During a Zoom call, Guy’s son stages profanity-laced messages in the background. Guy also worries about Linda’s frame of mind during lockdown.

Stiller starred as Derek Zoolander in Zoolander and Larry Daley in the Night at the Museum franchise. He also portrayed Ted in There’s Something About Mary and recently reprised his Happy Gilmore role as Orderly Hal in Hubie Halloween.

Ben Kingsley As Solomon

Ben Kingsley has a prominent supporting role as Malcolm, Paxton’s Christian boss who offers an under-the-table cash job. Malcolm likes to begin each phone call with a customized prayer, and he claims to be unfamiliar with the poet Edgar Allen Poe, which is the fake name that he assigns to Paxton for a driving job.

Kingsley is a four-time Oscar nominee who won for his lead performance in Gandhi. He also portrayed Itzhak Stern in Schindler’s List, Don Logan in Sexy Beast, and Trevor Slattery in Iron Man 3.

The Locked Down Supporting Cast

Jazmyn Simon as Maria: Dule’s partner, an artist who once had a sexual encounter with Linda. Jazmyn Simon portrayed Julie Greane in Ballers and currently appears as Kat in Raising Dion.

Mark Gatiss as Donald: A Miracore employee who gets fired by Linda. Mark Gatiss portrayed Mycroft Holmes in Sherlock and Lord Marlborough in The Favourite.

Eva Röse as Melissa: Linda’s colleague who appears during a zoom call. Eva Rose headlined Maria Wern as the title character and portrayed Niska in Real Humans.

Sam Spruell as Martin: Malcolm’s employee who refers to Paxton as a low-life. Sam Spruell portrayed Finn in Snow White and the Huntsman and Jack McVitie in Legend.

Marek Larwood as Mark: Charlotte’s Harrods colleague. Marek Larwood has appeared in Magicians and Drunk History: UK.

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Q.V. Hough
(1892 Articles Published)

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Q.V. Hough is a senior writer at Screen Rant. He’s also the founding editor at Vague Visages, and has contributed to RogerEbert.com and Fandor.

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