, starring Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed, Sean Bean, Ian McShane & Paddy Considine in a hilarious action-comedy.){kind=link}
Directed by Tom Kingsley
Deep Cover (2025) debuted as a Prime Video Original on June 12, 2025.
Distributed exclusively by Amazon Prime Video.
Movie Review
Deep Cover (2025), now streaming on Prime Video, is a stylish blend of crime drama and comedy that somehow just works.
The film follows a group of improv actors—led by Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, and Nick Mohammed—who are accidentally pulled into a real undercover police operation.
What begins as a joke quickly spirals into a deadly serious mission.
Bryce Dallas Howard anchors the chaos with emotional weight, while Orlando Bloom surprises with comedic timing, and Nick Mohammed brings awkward charm that steals scenes.
Director Tom Kingsley plays the premise straight, which makes the comedy hit harder and the tension feel real.
It’s a bold, weird, and very British take on the crime genre—with a heart.
Ratings:
• Rotten Tomatoes: 90%
• IMDb: 6.7/10
• Google Audience Rating: 52% liked this movie
Deep Cover Actors
Bryce Dallas Howard as Kat Boyles
DOB: March  2, 1981
Bio: Daughter of filmmaker Ron Howard, Bryce trained at NYU’s Tisch School before breaking out in The Village.
She’s equally at home in big blockbusters (Jurassic World) and intimate indie dramas, and even stepped behind the camera to direct on shows like Black Mirror.
Role: Kat is an American improv teacher in London, suddenly thrust into the criminal underworld when her class’s comedy skills become the police’s best undercover tool.
What to Expect: Witty one‑liners turned life‑or‑death improvisations, emotionally grounded stakes, and a heroine who learns to “yes, and” her way through chaos.
Favorite Things: Midnight improv jams with her troupe, sketch‑writing by candlelight, mentoring young comedians.
Notable Works: Jurassic World, The Village, 50/50.
Orlando Bloom as Marlon Swift
DOB: January 13, 1977
Bio: From Legolas in The Lord of the Rings to charming leading roles in Pirates, Orlando built a career on swordplay and swagger.
Lately, he’s embraced comedic risks, proving his range beyond epic fantasy.
Role: Marlon is Kat’s most theatrical improv student—a method-obsessed actor whose larger‑than‑life characters crash into real danger with unexpectedly effective results.
What to Expect: Outrageous costumes colliding with car chases, heartfelt breakthroughs buried under flamboyant accents, and laughter‑sparked survival.
Favorite Things: Script deep‑dives, vintage stagecraft, pushing physical comedy boundaries.
Notable Works: Lord of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean, The Three Musketeers.
Nick Mohammed as Hugh
DOB: October  4, 1980
Bio: A British actor, comedian, and writer, Nick Mohammed rose to prominence with his Emmy-nominated role as Nate Shelley in Ted Lasso.
A versatile performer with roots in stand-up and sketch comedy, he is also the creator and star of Intelligence, showcasing his knack for blending heart with humor.
Role: Hugh is a well-meaning improv student unexpectedly pulled into a covert mission, posing as part of a criminal outfit alongside fellow actors played by Orlando Bloom and Bryce Dallas Howard.
As danger mounts, Hugh’s comedic instincts and unassuming nature prove surprisingly effective.
What to Expect: Quiet courage blossoming in tense moments, surprising wit channeled through accidental heroism, and heartwarming character growth.
Favorite Things: Late‑night brainstorming sessions, crafting absurd backstories, spontaneous tea breaks.
Notable Works: Ted Lasso, Renegade Nell, Intelligence.
Sean Bean as Detective Graham Billings
DOB: April 17, 1959
Bio: Hailing from Sheffield, England, and trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA), Sean Bean is renowned for portraying world-weary, complex characters across film and television.
His breakout role as Richard Sharpe in the Sharpe series established his on-screen gravitas, which he carried into iconic performances such as Boromir in The Lord of the Rings and Ned Stark in Game of Thrones.
A BAFTA TV Award winner for Time (2022), Bean remains one of Britain’s most respected actors, known for balancing vulnerability and power in equal measure.
Role: Detective Graham Billings is the grizzled London cop who enlists Kat and her improv troupe to infiltrate a criminal syndicate.
While posing as their unlikely mentor, his motives slowly unravel—revealing ties to both justice and personal vengeance.
As the team ventures deeper into danger, Billings’ past casts an ever-growing shadow over their mission.
What to Expect: Gruff intensity, moral ambiguity, and shocking reveals about how far he’ll go to solve a case.
Favorite Things: Mastering subtle threats, playing anti‑heroes torn by loyalty, rainy‑night detective reads.
Notable Works: Game of Thrones, Sharpe, Lord of the Rings.
Paddy Considine as Fly
DOB: September 5, 1973
Bio: Acclaimed English actor, director, and screenwriter known for emotionally raw performances.
Considine broke out with Dead Man’s Shoes, earning critical acclaim for his portrayal of vengeance and grief.
He’s since shown remarkable range—from the tragic King Viserys in House of the Dragon to comedic turns in Hot Fuzz.
Role: Fly is a mid‑level gang boss who becomes enthralled by the troupe’s improv—part protector, part unwitting sponsor of their madcap sting.
What to Expect: Sudden bursts of violence offset by unexpected tenderness, and an unlikely bond formed through comedy.
Favorite Things: Dark humor, pushing character boundaries, improvising on the fly (pun intended).
Notable Works: Hot Fuzz, Peaky Blinders, The World’s End.
Ian McShane as Metcalfe
DOB: September 7, 1942
Bio: A legendary English actor with a career spanning six decades, Ian McShane is best known for his Golden Globe–winning role as Al Swearengen in Deadwood and for portraying Winston Scott in the John Wick franchise.
With his raspy voice, commanding presence, and mastery of morally complex characters, McShane remains one of the most magnetic figures in genre storytelling.
Role: Metcalfe is Fly’s ruthless crime‑lord superior—he mistakes improv for deadly cunning and nearly lets the trio’s act become reality.
What to Expect: Menacing charm, razor‑sharp dialogue, and an unpredictable blend of menace and dark humor.
Favorite Things: Crafting memorable monologues, surprising audiences with unseen depths, chess‑like power plays.
Notable Works: Deadwood, John Wick, American Gods.
Sonoya Mizuno as Shosh
DOB: July 1, 1986
Bio: Born in Tokyo and raised in London, Sonoya Mizuno trained at the prestigious Royal Ballet School before performing with elite companies such as the Scottish Ballet and Semperoper Ballet.
She transitioned to film with a breakthrough role as the enigmatic Kyoko in Ex Machina (2014), earning acclaim for her ability to fuse physical storytelling with emotional nuance.
Mizuno’s continued success across genre-spanning projects like La La Land, Crazy Rich Asians, Devs, and House of the Dragon cements her as a uniquely expressive performer.
Role: Shosh is Metcalfe’s silent enforcer—her grace belies lethal precision, turning every confrontation into a choreographed duel.
What to Expect: Spellbinding action that feels like performance art, moments of steely focus offset by rare flickers of emotion.
Favorite Things: Ballet rehearsals, movement research, pushing physical storytelling limits.
Notable Works: Ex Machina, La La Land, Crazy Rich Asians, Devs, House of the Dragon.
Katy Wix as Lotta
DOB: February 28, 1980
Bio: A standout of British comedy, Katy Wix is known for her perfectly pitched mix of deadpan wit and genuine warmth.
She’s earned acclaim for scene-stealing roles in Not Going Out, Ghosts, and Stath Lets Flats, and is also a talented writer, painter, and published memoirist.
Her work often explores vulnerability through humor, bringing heart to every ensemble she joins.
Role: Lotta is a supporting improv student whose quick quips and off‑the‑cuff humor bolster the team when the stakes rise.
What to Expect: Snappy one‑offs, heartfelt camaraderie in the background, and comedic timing that undercuts tense moments.
Favorite Things: Sketch writing, prop‑driven gags, ensemble synergy.
Notable Works: Ghosts, Not Going Out, Stath Lets Flats, The Windsors, Delicacy (memoir).
Susannah Fielding as Ruth
DOB: April 25, 1985
Bio: A Guildhall-trained actress with a strong foundation in classical theatre, Susannah Fielding has earned acclaim on both stage and screen.
She’s known for her roles in The Great Indoors, This Time with Alan Partridge, Black Mirror, and Who Is Erin Carter?, consistently blending wit with emotional range.
Role: Ruth is Kat’s confidante and occasional skeptic within the improv troupe—she grounds the group’s wild ideas with a dose of reality.
What to Expect: Wry observations, soft‑spoken wisdom, and the occasional explosive stand‑up‑style monologue.
Favorite Things: Character workshops, period‑drama research, witty repartee.
Notable Works: This Time with Alan Partridge, Black Mirror, The Great Indoors, Who Is Erin Carter?.
Omid Djalili as Sagar
DOB: September 30, 1965
Bio: A celebrated British–Iranian comedian and actor, Omid rose to prominence with his Edinburgh Fringe performances before transitioning into global film.
Known for roles in Gladiator, The Infidel, and Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, he combines sharp cultural satire with physical comedy.
Djalili holds a degree in English and Theatre Studies from Ulster University and has earned multiple accolades for his stand-up and screen work.
Role: Sagar is a hapless corner‑shop owner whose misinterpreted improv bits spark a chain reaction of hilariously dire consequences.
What to Expect: Rapid‑fire jokes, moments of sincere panic, and the cultural commentary he’s known for.
Favorite Things: Stand‑up tours, improvisational workshops, quick ad‑libs.
Notable Works: The Mummy, Gladiator, The Infidel.
Ben Ashenden as Dawes
DOB: September 23, 1989
Bio: A Cambridge-educated comedian and one half of the award-winning duo The Pin, Ben Ashenden made his mark with razor-sharp sketch writing for BBC Radio 4, stage, and screen.
A former Footlights member, he brings a background in absurdist humor and narrative playfulness to his roles.
Deep Cover marks his major screenwriting debut.
Role: Dawes is the straight‑laced detective who can’t tell an act from reality and unwittingly drives the plot’s biggest misunderstandings.
What to Expect: Deadpan delivery, meta‑comedy nods, and a few cleverly planted Easter eggs.
Favorite Things: Script rewrites, post‑take improv, winking at the camera.
Notable Works: The Pin podcast, live comedy tours.
Amber Grappy as Scene of Crime Officer
DOB: November 8, 1992
Bio: A rising British character actor, Amber cut her teeth guest‑starring on shows like Line of Duty and Silent Witness.
Role: The meticulous officer who catalogues evidence at each crime scene—her efficiency contrasts beautifully with the trio’s chaos.
What to Expect: Professional calm, quietly savoir-faire, and just the right amount of exasperation.
Favorite Things: True‑crime documentaries, methodical detail work, early morning call‑outs.
Notable Works: Line of Duty, Silent Witness, Deep Cover (debut).
More Actors
Billy Clements as Sid
Assa Kanoute as Laura
FAQ – Deep Cover 2025
What’s the runtime and rating?
It lasts approximately 1 hour 49 minutes (109 minutes) and is rated R for violence, strong language, and drug content.
Is Deep Cover based on a true story?
Not directly—but it was inspired by the real-world idea of performers assisting law enforcement in undercover roles. WHATTOWATCH
Where was it filmed?
Shot entirely on location in London, featuring neighborhoods like Hackney and South Bank for an authentic feel.
Will there be a sequel?
While no official sequel has been announced, its positive reception and audience buzz make one possible in the future.
Conclusion
Deep Cover (2025) proves that taking risks can lead to standout cinema.
With its offbeat premise, committed performances, and sharp direction, the film finds a sweet spot between gritty crime drama and improv-fueled comedy.
Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, and Nick Mohammed shine in a world where the line between performance and reality blurs hilariously—and sometimes dangerously.
Whether you’re in it for the laughs, the twists, or just something refreshingly original, Deep Cover delivers.
It’s a smart, stylish, and thoroughly enjoyable ride that deserves a spot on your must-watch list.