The Son Cast & Character Guide

Who is in the cast of The Son and which characters do they play? The Western TV show may have had its heyday back in the 1950s and 1960s with series like Gunsmoke or Rawhide, but there are plenty of TV Westerns still being made. From neo-Westerns like Yellowstone and Justified to more traditional Western shows that feature a period setting like Deadwood and Hell On Wheels, the genre still enjoys a lot of popularity.

The Son is another modern-day addition to the genre that aired on AMC for two seasons between 2017 and 2019. The drama series is based on the critically acclaimed novel by Philipp Meyer who adapted his book for the small screen alongside Hemlock Grove co-creators Lee Shipman and Brian McGreevy. It’s set in south Texas during two different eras of the Wild West – the mid-19th century and the early 20th century – and chronicles the rise and fall of a ruthless cattle and oil tycoon named Eli McCullough.

As the AMC show’s short two season run suggests, it wasn’t a big ratings hit. Critics found fault with its slow pace and lack of originality but praised its epic scale and the performances given by the cast. Read on for a quick guide to the cast of The Son and the characters they play.

Pierce Brosnan – Eli MCullough

Former James Bond actor Pierce Brosnan heads the cast of The Son as Eli McCullough. As a young teen, Eli was kidnapped and raised by a tribe of Comanches and went on to become a wealthy cattle and oil baron. The younger version of Eli is played by Maze Runner star Jacob Lofland.

Henry Garrett – Pete McCullough

British actor Henry Garrett (Poldark) play’s Eli’s youngest son Pete in neo-Western drama The Son – married father of three who runs the McCullough ranch. Pete is an idealistic and compassionate man who, unlike his father, has a conscience.

Zahn McClarnon – Toshaway

Comanche chief Toshaway is the leader of the tribe that kidnapped Eli and came to see his hostage as a son. He’s played by Zahn McClarnon who is best known for his roles in drama Longmire and season 2 of Fargo.

Paola Nuñez – Maria Garcia

La Reina Del Sur star Paola Nuñez plays Maria on the show. She is Pete’s childhood friend and daughter of a wealthy Mexican American rancher whose land lies between the McCullough ranch and the Mexican border.

Jess Weixler – Sally McCullough

Pete’s wife Sally gave up her comfortable life in Dallas when she married Pete and moved to south Texas. She’s portrayed by Jess Weixler who also played recurring character Robyn Burdine on The Good Wife.

David Wilson Barnes – Phineas McCullough

Phineas is played by David Wilson Barnes who is known for his role in  AMC Western series Hell On Wheels. Eli’s oldest son Phineas McCullough is a lawyer who handles the family’s fortune and has a big secret – he’s gay, which was a capital crime in early 20th century Texas.

Sydney Lucas – Jeannie McCullough

Sydney Lucas rounds out the main cast of The Son as Pete and Sally’s daughter Jeannie McCullough. Jeannie takes after her grandfather Eli and comes to play a key role in the family business.