Why Netflix’s Sense8 is the perfect binge while social distancing

The Characters

When it comes to casting its wide array of characters, Sense8 struck cinematic gold.

While veteran sci-fi actors like Daryl Hannah, Freema Agyeman (Doctor Who) and Naveen Andrews (Lost) take on supporting roles, the series’ main cast of eight is largely comprised of relative newcomers. At least to American audiences.

The group, commonly referred to as a “cluster,” includes: a matatu driver with a heart of gold named Capheus (Aml Ameen, and later Toby Onwumere), a burdened businesswoman named Sun (Doona Bae), a gay transwoman hacktivist named Nomi (Jamie Clayton), a biomedical pharmacist named Kala (Tina Desai) who is engaged to a man she doesn’t love, a DJ running from a troubled past called Riley Blue (Tuppence Middleton), a safe-cracker named Wolfgang (Max Riemelt) who is involved in organized crime, a closeted Spanish actor named Lito (Miguel Angel Silvestre), and a haunted police officer named Will (Brian J. Smith).

While each character has their own individual storylines going on, once they meet each other and become aware of who they are, each one takes on a role within the cluster. Will becomes the protector of the group. Riley becomes the heart. Capheus is the moral compass. Kala is the caretaker. Nomi is the brainiac. Sun is the fighter. Wolfgang is the backbone. Lito is the emotional center. With its wide range of characters and backstories, there is something for everyone. You will identify with at least one of these characters at some point during the show.