Trident: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Richard Madden and Marcia Gay Harden Lead Netflix’s New Political Thriller
Netflix is assembling an impressive cast for Trident, an upcoming high-stakes political conspiracy drama led by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Richard Madden, and Marcia Gay Harden.
Created by Bodyguard creator Jed Mercurio, the eight-episode series follows a naval officer whose relationship with the U.S. secretary of defense pulls her into a potentially dangerous conspiracy involving some of the country’s most powerful people.
Alongside its star-studded cast, Trident is also a production worth watching for actors and entertainment professionals looking for upcoming casting opportunities.
Here is everything we know about Trident, including its plot, cast, creative team, casting directors, release information, and where actors can look for potential auditions.
What Is Trident About?
Trident follows Commander Katherine Decker, a heroic naval officer who becomes involved with the outwardly charismatic U.S. Secretary of Defense, Webb Preston.
Their connection soon becomes considerably more complicated when Decker discovers that Preston may be at the center of a dangerous conspiracy.
The stakes are enormous.
Decker serves as second-in-command aboard the USS Kansas, a nuclear submarine and one of the world’s most powerful weapons. Her position puts her at the intersection of military authority, national security, and a political mystery that could reach the highest levels of government.
The premise combines political intrigue with military tension and a complicated personal relationship, territory familiar to creator Jed Mercurio following the success of Bodyguard.
Who Is in the Trident Cast?
Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Commander Katherine Decker
Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Lift, Surface) leads Trident as Commander Katherine Decker.
Decker is the second-in-command aboard the USS Kansas, a nuclear submarine carrying extraordinary destructive power.
Her responsibilities already place her in a high-pressure environment, but her relationship with Secretary of Defense Webb Preston ultimately draws her into an even more dangerous world of political intrigue and conspiracy.
Richard Madden as Secretary of Defense Webb Preston
Richard Madden (Eternals, Citadel, Bodyguard) stars as U.S. Secretary of Defense Webb Preston.
Unlike many traditional politicians, Preston comes from a technology background. His interest in innovation and willingness to challenge convention make him an unusual figure in Washington.
They may also make him a threat.
As Decker gets closer to Preston, questions emerge about his ambitions and whether he could be connected to the conspiracy at the heart of Trident.
The series reunites Madden with Jed Mercurio after their successful collaboration on Bodyguard.
Marcia Gay Harden as Margaret Vandenburg
Marcia Gay Harden (So Help Me Todd) joins Trident as Margaret Vandenburg.
Vandenburg is the CEO and matriarch of the powerful Vandenburg business empire. She has played an important role in helping her prominent family establish significant political connections.
Her combination of corporate influence and political access could make the Vandenburg family an important part of the show’s wider mystery.
Trident Supporting Cast
Netflix has assembled a substantial supporting ensemble around Mbatha-Raw, Madden, and Harden.
JD Pardo (Mayans M.C., High Potential) plays Tom Reyes, a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy.
Bruce Greenwood (The Fall of the House of Usher, The Resident) portrays Special Agent Eric Colby.
Robert Wisdom (Barry, The Terminal List) plays Admiral Griff Tatum.
Kirk Acevedo (Lioness, Band of Brothers) appears as Captain Jock Campbell.
Ben Cotton (The Night Agent, Harper’s Island) plays Special Agent Jake Ryan.
James Remar (It: Welcome to Derry, Dexter: Resurrection) portrays President Paul Barnard.
Jason Ralph (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Magicians) plays Brooks Vandenburg.
Mark O’Brien (City on a Hill, Ready or Not) appears as Dr. Brian York.
With characters spanning the military, federal government, law enforcement, medicine, and an influential business family, Trident appears positioned to explore its central conspiracy from multiple perspectives.
Who Are the Casting Directors for Trident?
Casting associated with Trident is being handled by Cinema Casting s.r.o., a casting company based in Prague, Czech Republic.
Cinema Casting specializes in casting for Czech and international film, television, and commercial productions. The company works with productions seeking performers in the Czech Republic and has experience recruiting talent for screen projects filming in the region.
For actors interested in Trident casting calls, Cinema Casting is therefore a company worth knowing about and following through its official channels.
Major international television productions can require significantly more performers than the principal cast alone. Depending on the needs of a production, casting teams may search for supporting performers, day players, featured extras, background actors, stand-ins, photo doubles, and other specialty talent.
Actors interested in working on Trident should pay close attention to the specific requirements of any official casting notice, including age ranges, filming locations, work authorization requirements, availability, and submission instructions.
Performers should also make sure their headshots, acting résumé, contact information, measurements where requested, and other casting materials are current before submitting.
Netflix ‘Trident’ Casting Call for Stand-Ins
Netflix Series “TRIDENT” Stand-In Casting
Job Description
A new Netflix series is seeking experienced stand-ins for an extended production running through March. The casting call is looking for men and women who closely match specific physical characteristics and can maintain flexible availability based on the director’s filming schedule. This stand-in opportunity requires strong adaptability, professional on-set behavior, and conversational English for production communication.
Job Responsibilities
- Work as a stand-in for cast members during lighting, camera, and scene preparation
- Follow instructions from the director and production team
- Maintain consistency in positioning and movement between takes
- Adapt to changing filming environments and production requirements
- Remain flexible for frequent filming days and occasional Saturday work
- Participate in camera tests when required
Requirements
- Men ages 45–65, approximately 188–190 cm tall, bald, with previous trench experience
- Men ages 45–65, approximately 190–193 cm tall, with dark hair and long-trench experience
- Men approximately 190 cm tall with blonde hair
- Men approximately 180–185 cm tall with various hair types
- Women approximately 170–178 cm tall with bald or shaved hair
- English communication skills required
- Previous stand-in experience preferred
- Strong schedule flexibility and ability to adapt to production conditions
Compensation
- 3,000 per day
- 2,500 for camera tests
Who Is Behind Trident?
Trident comes from Jed Mercurio, who serves as writer, showrunner, and executive producer.
Mercurio has extensive experience creating tense dramas involving powerful institutions and complicated questions of trust, authority, and corruption. His previous credits include Bodyguard and Line of Duty.
Jimmy Mulville will executive produce for Hat Trick Mercurio alongside Wendy Mericle.
Michael Cuesta will direct and executive produce the first and second episodes.
The project also represents a reunion between Mercurio and Richard Madden following Bodyguard, their award-nominated political thriller collaboration.
When Does Trident Come Out on Netflix?
Netflix has not announced an official release date for Trident.
The series is expected to consist of eight episodes, with further release information still to come.
While waiting for Trident, viewers can revisit Mercurio and Madden’s previous collaboration, Bodyguard, on Netflix.
Why Actors Should Keep Trident on Their Radar
For working actors, a production like Trident can be worth following even when its principal roles have already been announced.
Large television productions frequently need a much broader pool of performers to build the world surrounding their principal cast.
A political and military thriller could potentially require performers to portray government personnel, military members, security personnel, officials, civilians, and other characters. The exact opportunities, however, depend entirely on the production’s casting needs and should not be assumed until an official casting notice is published.
Actors hoping to pursue these opportunities can prepare by keeping professional materials current and monitoring legitimate casting sources.
How to Apply for Trident Casting Calls
When a verified Trident casting call becomes available, read the entire notice before submitting.
Pay particular attention to the filming location, dates, age requirements, role description, compensation, availability requirements, and any instructions regarding photos or self-tapes.
Never assume that contacting a principal actor, director, producer, or other member of the production directly is an appropriate way to audition. Follow the submission process listed in the legitimate casting notice.
Stay Updated on Trident Casting Calls
With Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Richard Madden, Marcia Gay Harden, and an extensive supporting ensemble attached, Trident is shaping up to be an exciting addition to Netflix’s upcoming television lineup.
For actors, models, filmmakers, and entertainment professionals, the project is also one to keep on the radar as production and casting developments continue.
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