Director Lin-Manuel Miranda just shared the complete actor list for his next movie musical Octet. The film brings together eight big names for a story about people trying to break free from their phones and social media habits.
The Octet movie cast includes Amanda Seyfried, Rachel Zegler, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Phillipa Soo, Gaten Matarazzo, Jonathan Groff, Tramell Tillman, and Paul-Jordan Jansen. Miranda posted a rehearsal sign-in sheet on his Instagram account to share the news, writing “Rehearsals have begun”.
This project marks Miranda’s second time directing a movie. His first was the 2021 film Tick, Tick… Boom! starring Andrew Garfield.
The Story Behind ‘Octet’ Movie
Octet tells the story of eight people who cannot stop using the internet. They meet in a church basement for a support group. The group locks their phones inside a box at the start of each meeting. The characters then sing about their struggles with online addiction using only their voices, no musical instruments.
The original stage musical first opened off-Broadway in 2019 at the Signature Theatre in New York City. Dave Malloy wrote the music, lyrics, and book for the stage version. Malloy is also writing the movie’s screenplay.
Who Plays Whom in ‘Octet’
Here is the complete Octet cast list with each actor’s character name:
- Amanda Seyfried as Jessica
- Rachel Zegler as Velma
- Sheryl Lee Ralph as Paula
- Phillipa Soo as Karly
- Gaten Matarazzo as Toby
- Jonathan Groff as Henry
- Tramell Tillman as Marvin
- Paul-Jordan Jansen as Ed
Hamilton Stars Reunite for ‘Octet’
Two actors from Miranda’s famous musical Hamilton are part of this new film. Jonathan Groff played King George III in the Broadway production. Phillipa Soo played Eliza Schuyler Hamilton. Their return to work with Miranda again has grabbed attention from theater fans.
Other cast members also bring strong musical backgrounds. Rachel Zegler just won an Olivier Award for her performance in Evita in London’s West End. Sheryl Lee Ralph started the role of Deena in the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. Gaten Matarazzo performed in the Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd and also stars in the Netflix series Stranger Things. Tramell Tillman is best known for the Apple TV+ series Severance, but he started his career in Broadway and off-Broadway shows.
Miranda Shares His Excitement for the Project
The director has been thinking about making Octet into a movie for several years. He saw the stage production in November 2019 and could not forget it.
“I haven’t stopped thinking about Octet since I saw Annie Tippe’s premiere production in November of 2019. Dave Malloy’s score is versatile, brilliant and grows more relevant with each passing year. It won’t leave me alone so here we are,” Miranda said.
Miranda also shared that he worked on adapting the musical with Dave Malloy for the past six years before announcing the film.
What Makes ‘Octet’ Different
Unlike most movie musicals, Octet uses no instruments at all. All the music comes from the actors’ voices singing a cappella. The stage version received strong praise for its creative sound and honest look at how people today struggle with internet and phone use.
The story focuses on real problems many people face. Too much screen time, online arguments, social media pressure, and the difficulty of putting down the phone are all part of the characters’ lives. The group setting lets each person share their own story through song.
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Production Team Behind the Film
Julie Oh, who worked with Miranda on Tick, Tick… Boom!, is producing the film alongside John Skidmore and Luis A. Miranda, Jr.. The original writer Dave Malloy serves as an executive producer and is adapting his own work for the screen.
The movie is being financed and executive produced by Sander Jacobs, Caren Jacobs, TodayTix Group, Jeffrey Seller, Teresa Tsai, and John Gore for Broadway.com.
Miranda first announced he was working on the Octet film adaptation earlier in April 2026. At that time, he did not share any casting details. The new Instagram post confirms all eight lead actors are now in rehearsals.
The original stage musical Octet ran for a limited time off-Broadway. It later had a West Coast premiere with a five-week run in 2022. The show earned positive reviews for its fresh take on musical theater and its honest look at modern life.
Fans of Hamilton, Tick, Tick… Boom!, and musical theater in general are already talking about this project online. The combination of Miranda’s directing, Malloy’s writing, and this group of singers has created significant buzz around the film.
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