Created by Gabe Rotter.
The Beast in Me premiered on November 13, 2025.
Distributed by Netflix.
The Beast in Me (TV Series) Review
The Beast in Me is a dark, emotional thriller about a woman who starts watching her new neighbour because she feels something is “off” about him.
Claire Danes plays Aggie, a grieving mother trying to make sense of her life, while Matthew Rhys plays Nile, a man who seems charming but possibly dangerous.
The show is slow, tense and full of mystery.
It focuses more on emotions, secrets and suspicion than big action scenes.
The best part is the acting, both leads make every moment feel real and uncomfortable in a good way.
Some storylines feel a bit unfinished, and not every twist hits hard, but the overall atmosphere keeps you watching.
If you enjoy psychological dramas, character tension and a creepy, suspenseful vibe, this series is a great pick.
It’s easy to follow, gripping, and leaves you thinking after the final episode.
CR Rating – 7.2/10
The Beast in Me Actors
Claire Danes as Aggie Wiggs
DOB: April 12, 1979.
Bio: An American actor celebrated for her emotional precision and depth, Claire Danes first gained prominence in My So-Called Life and has since won multiple Emmys and Golden Globes for her work on television.
She is recognized for her intense, inward-facing performances and her ability to anchor character-driven dramas with nuanced emotional clarity.
Role: Aggie Wiggs is a bestselling author grappling with grief and creative paralysis following the death of her son.
When new neighbors move in next door, Aggie grows suspicious that Nile Jarvis may be connected to a prior disappearance.
The series follows her psychological unraveling, her obsessive quest for truth, and the ethical and personal consequences of suspicion.
Episodes: 8 eps.
Interesting facts: Danes contributed to developing the character and was drawn to the series’ Hitchcockian “cat-and-mouse” narrative.
Press notes emphasize her reunion with creators experienced in high-tension, character-driven TV drama.
Notable works: My So-Called Life, Homeland, Romeo + Juliet, Temple Grandin.
Matthew Rhys as Nile Jarvis
DOB: November 8, 1974.
Bio: A Welsh actor celebrated for his nuanced, morally complex performances, Matthew Rhys gained international acclaim for his role in The Americans, earning both Emmy recognition and critical praise.
He is known for portraying quietly volatile, morally ambiguous men with a balance of charm and menace.
Role: Nile Jarvis is the attractive and charismatic heir to a prominent real-estate dynasty.
Publicly affable, Nile harbors dark secrets, including rumors surrounding the disappearance of his first wife.
Episodes: 8 eps.
Interesting facts: Rhys has emphasized enjoying morally gray roles where ambiguity drives suspense.
He reunited with creators and collaborators from previous prestige TV projects for this series.
Notable works: The Americans, Perry Mason, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.
Brittany Snow as Nina Jarvis
DOB: March 9, 1986.
Bio: An American actress known for her versatility across comedy, musical, and dramatic roles.
Brittany Snow first gained recognition in teen films and TV before earning acclaim for both mainstream hits and indie dramas.
Role: Nina Jarvis is the sophisticated and stylish second wife of Nile Jarvis, working as a New York gallerist.
While she maintains a glamorous public persona, her private life reveals strain, secrets, and unease.
Episodes: 8 eps.
Interesting facts: Snow has expressed in interviews that she seeks roles allowing emotional complexity rather than one-dimensional portrayals.
Notable works: Pitch Perfect trilogy, Hairspray, Someone Great.
Natalie Morales as Shelley
DOB: February 15, 1985.
Bio: An American actress, director, and former host, Morales has built a versatile career spanning television, film, and streaming projects.
Known for her grounded, empathetic presence, she excels at blending comic timing with dramatic nuance.
Role: Shelley is Aggie Wiggs’ ex-wife and a Brooklyn-based painter.
As someone who has shared a deeply personal history with Aggie, Shelley functions as both mirror and foil.
Episodes: 8 eps.
Interesting facts: Morales is also a filmmaker; her directorial debut Plan B demonstrates her creative eye, which she brings into her acting choices.
Notable works: Parks and Recreation, Santa Clarita Diet, Dead to Me, Plan B (director).
Aleyse Shannon as Olivia Benitez
DOB: May 16, 1996.
Bio: An American actress, Aleyse Shannon has built a reputation for portraying strong, contemporary female characters in both film and television.
She combines emotional immediacy with a grounded, modern presence, making her performances feel authentic and compelling.
Role: Olivia Benitez is a city council member and one of Nile Jarvis’ political opponents.
Her public clashes with Nile introduce a civic and societal dimension to the series, expanding the narrative beyond Aggie’s private investigations.
Episodes: 5 eps.
Interesting facts: Shannon has expressed in interviews her desire to play empowered, multidimensional young women, often selecting roles that challenge traditional archetypes.
Notable works: Black Christmas (2019), Leverage: Redemption, Decibel.
David Lyons as Brian Abbott
DOB: April 16, 1976.
Bio: An Australian actor with a strong international and domestic TV pedigree, David Lyons is known for reliably portraying authoritative, composed characters.
He trained at the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) in Australia and has appeared in high-profile series including ER, Revolution, and The Cape.
Role: Brian Abbott is an FBI agent assigned to investigate Nile Jarvis.
His presence introduces law enforcement authority into the series and serves as a measured, skeptical counterpoint to Aggie Wiggs’ intuitive and often obsessive investigation.
Episodes: 5 eps.
Interesting facts: Lyons frequently alternates between U.S. and Australian projects, bringing cross-cultural acting experience to his roles.
Notable works: Revolution, Safe Haven, The Cape.
Jonathan Banks as Martin Jarvis
DOB: January 31, 1947.
Bio: A veteran American character actor, Jonathan Banks is celebrated for his commanding presence and nuanced portrayals of morally complex, authoritative figures.
He gained widespread acclaim for his roles in Wiseguy, Breaking Bad, and Better Call Saul.
Role: Martin Jarvis is the powerful patriarch of the Jarvis family and Nile’s father.
A wealthy and influential tycoon, Martin wields old-money authority and provides Nile with social cover while contributing to the family’s culture of secrecy and entitlement.
Episodes: 6 eps.
Interesting facts: He brings decades of experience in film and television to create layered, compelling supporting characters.
Notable works: Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Wiseguy.
Deirdre O’Connell as Carol McGiddish
DOB: June 29, 1953.
Bio: Tony-winning and Emmy-nominated American actress, Deirdre O’Connell is known for her intense, layered supporting performances.
She is celebrated for bringing emotional depth, intelligence, and gravitas to complex adult roles across stage, film, and television.
Role: Carol McGiddish is Aggie Wiggs’ literary agent and trusted confidante.
She serves as a stabilizing presence in Aggie’s life, balancing professional insight with empathetic understanding.
Episodes: 4 eps.
Interesting facts: O’Connell won a Tony Award for her stage work and is highly respected in theatrical circles; she frequently transitions between theater, film, and TV, bringing stage-honed precision to screen performances.
Notable works: The Requin, The Penguin.
Tim Guinee as Rick “Wrecking Ball” Jarvis
DOB: November 18, 1962.
Bio: American actor Tim Guinee has built a long and steady career across film, television, and stage.
Known for his quiet intensity, physical presence, and versatility, he frequently plays tough, no-nonsense, or morally complex characters.
Role: Rick “Wrecking Ball” Jarvis is Nile Jarvis’ uncle and a senior figure within the family’s private security apparatus.
He projects a physically imposing, disciplined, and vigilant presence, overseeing the safety and public image of the Jarvis household.
Episodes: 8 eps.
Interesting facts: Guinee has theatrical roots and a family connection to playwright Horton Foote (father-in-law).
Notable works: The Staircase, 99 Homes, earlier TV and stage work.
Hettienne Park as Agent Erika Breton
DOB: March 7, 1983.
Bio: American actress and writer recognized for her sharp, intelligent supporting performances across television and film.
She is known for bringing both precision and emotional nuance to procedural and dramatic roles.
Role: Agent Erika Breton is an FBI supervisor tasked with investigating the unfolding events surrounding Nile Jarvis.
Her role introduces the procedural and legal perspective, highlighting the stakes of the investigation and the ethical tensions between law enforcement and rumor.
Episodes: 7 eps.
Interesting facts: Park initially studied music before pursuing acting, and this discipline often translates into her precise physicality and timing on screen.
Notable works: Hannibal, Blindspot, The Outsider.
Bill Irwin as James Ingram
DOB: April 11, 1950.
Bio: Bill Irwin is a legendary American actor, clown, and Tony-winning stage performer known for his unique blend of physical comedy, precise timing, and expressive subtlety.
Role: Irwin portrays a supporting figure in the neighborhood whose small but pointed interactions expose cracks in the community’s surface calm.
Episodes: 2 eps.
Interesting facts: Irwin is widely recognized for his work as “Mr. Noodle” on Sesame Street and for his acclaimed, often experimental stage performances.
Notable works: Interstellar (voice of TARS), Tony-winning stage work.
Kate Burton as Mariah Ingram
DOB: September 10, 1957.
Bio: American actor with a distinguished career in television, film, and theater.
She has earned multiple Emmy nominations for her work on prestige TV, including Grey’s Anatomy and Scandal.
Role: Burton appears in a supporting capacity as a member of the elite social or legal circles surrounding the Jarvis family.
Episodes: 2 eps.
Interesting facts: Daughter of Richard Burton, Kate has forged a distinguished career independent of her famous father.
Notable works: Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, extensive stage credits.
More Actors
• Julia Ann Emery as Lila Jarvis.
• Amir Arison as Frank Breton.
• Peter Grosz as Elijah.
• Bubba Weiler as Teddy Fenig.
• Will Brill as Chris Ingram.
FAQ – The Beast in Me TV Series
What is The Beast in Me about?
The Beast in Me is about a grieving widow who becomes suspicious of her charming new neighbor, uncovering dark secrets that put her safety and sanity at risk.
Is it based on a book or a true story?
No. The Beast in Me is an original TV concept created for Netflix (not a true-story adaptation).
How many episodes / seasons are there?
Season 1 is an 8-episode limited run (each episode roughly 40–55 minutes).
Where can I watch it?
The series streams exclusively on Netflix.
Conclusion
The Beast in Me is a tense and emotional psychological drama that follows a grieving mother who becomes entangled with a mysterious stranger connected to her past.
The series blends slow-burn suspense, strong character development and atmospheric storytelling to create a gripping narrative.
With standout performances from Claire Danes and Matthew Rhys, it keeps viewers questioning motives, relationships and hidden truths until the final moments.