The streets of 1930s New York are about to get a lot darker. Spider-Noir, the live-action series starring Nicolas Cage, is swinging to MGM+ and Prime Video this spring, and the first official images are finally out. This is not the wisecracking teenager audiences know from the MCU. This is a version of Spider-Man who has been through tragedy, hung up the mask, and now works as a down-on-his-luck private eye named Ben Reilly.
With production already complete and a global release window locked in, here is a complete breakdown of exactly who is playing who in Sony’s big swing into the gritty Marvel universe.
Nicolas Cage Steps Into Live-Action as Ben Reilly, Not Peter Parker
For years, audiences only heard Nicolas Cage voice the black-and-white webslinger in the animated Spider-Verse films. Now, he is bringing that character into live-action for the first time in his career. This marks Cage’s first leading role in a television series.
His character is Ben Reilly, a private investigator working out of a small office in 1930s New York. In his younger years, he was the city’s only superhero, known simply as “The Spider.” But after a personal tragedy that the show has kept under wraps, he walked away from the mask. The series picks up when an extraordinary case pulls him back into a world he tried to forget.
The creative team made a deliberate choice to rename the character. Instead of playing Peter Parker, Cage portrays Ben Reilly. The show will explain this change in identity, keeping it separate from the traditional Spider-Man lore while honoring the Spider-Verse multiverse logic.
Lamorne Morris Fills the Press Row as Robbie Robertson
Lamorne Morris, known for his comedy work on New Girl and his dramatic turn in Fargo, plays Robbie Robertson. This is a significant casting choice because Robbie Robertson is one of the few legacy characters from the mainstream Spider-Man comics to appear in this noir world.
In the 1930s setting, Robertson is not yet the veteran city editor audiences remember from the Sam Raimi films. He is a young, hungry, dedicated journalist trying to make a name for himself. The odds are stacked against him as a Black professional during the Great Depression. He takes on risky stories that other reporters avoid, hoping to land a paycheck and build a career.
The show describes Robbie as Ben’s best friend. He is willing to do whatever it takes to advance his career, but his loyalty to Ben runs deep. Morris brings a balance of charm and grit to a role that requires navigating both newsroom politics and the dangerous streets of Depression-era New York.
Li Jun Li Brings Mystery to the Nightclub as Cat Hardy
Li Jun Li (Babylon, Sinners) plays Cat Hardy. She is the star attraction at the premiere nightclub in New York, a singer who commands attention. On the surface, she looks like someone who only cares about herself. But official character descriptions tease that the truth is far more complex.
Cat Hardy is clearly an adaptation of the Black Cat character from Marvel comics, reimagined for a world without spandex or high-tech gadgetry. She operates in the shadows of the criminal underworld, using her charm and connections to survive. Whether she becomes an ally or a liability for Ben Reilly remains a central question of the series.
Karen Rodriguez Plays the Loyal Right Hand, Janet
Every private eye needs a good secretary, and Karen Rodriguez (Acapulco, The Hunting Wives) fills that role as Janet.
Janet is described as smart, scrappy, and fiercely loyal. She wants to see Ben’s small detective agency succeed, and she has zero problem speaking truth to power. If Ben is making a bad decision, Janet will be the first to call him out.
Showrunner Oren Uziel explained that Janet is a key part of the team dynamic. “Janet is never going to let Ben off the hook, but she cares so much about him,” Uziel said. “It’s a little three-headed team: Ben, Janet, and Robbie. They’re always solving the cases together in their own way.”
Brendan Gleeson Enters as the Main Villain
Academy Award nominee Brendan Gleeson (The Banshees of Inisherin, Harry Potter) has been cast as the primary antagonist. While official sources have not yet revealed his exact character name, multiple industry reports confirm he is playing the villain.
Given the 1930s gangster setting, speculation points toward Gleeson portraying a version of Norman Osborn or another crime boss reimagined for the era. In the original Spider-Man Noir comics, classic villains were reinvented as mobsters, carnival freaks, and hired guns. Gleeson’s casting signals a menacing, physical presence that will challenge Cage’s reluctant hero.
Abraham Popoola Joins as a Haunted World War I Veteran
Abraham Popoola (Andor, Atlas, Morbius) plays a World War I veteran who is looking for an opportunity to get ahead. His character is currently unnamed in official materials.
Insider reports suggest Popoola may be playing Flint Marko, better known as Sandman. A previous character breakdown described a hired goon working for a crime boss who suffers from an unknown condition that causes him to transform. When he switches between identities, he has no memory of what his alter ego did while in control. This storyline is expected to be a significant emotional arc in the series.
Jack Huston Plays a Bodyguard With Unknown Loyalties
Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire) rounds out the main cast as a series regular. His role is described simply as a bodyguard.
Given his physicality and his history playing complex characters with moral codes, Huston could be protecting Gleeson’s villain, or he could be an enforcer who eventually questions his orders. His character’s loyalty is expected to shift throughout the season.
The Guest Cast Brings 1930s New York to Life
Beyond the main players, Spider-Noir has assembled a deep bench of guest stars to fill out its Depression-era world.
Lukas Haas, Cameron Britton, and Cary Christopher appear in undisclosed roles. Michael Kostroff, Scott MacArthur, Joe Massingill, and Whitney Rice round out the supporting cast. Amanda Schull, Andrew Caldwell, Amy Aquino, Andrew Robinson, and Kai Caster are also attached.
While their specific characters have not been announced, the sheer size of the cast suggests a sprawling story that extends beyond Ben Reilly’s detective agency. These actors are likely playing criminals, cops, nightclub patrons, and everyday citizens caught in the crossfire.
The Creative Team Behind the Mask
Spider-Noir is produced by Sony Pictures Television exclusively for MGM+ and Prime Video.
Harry Bradbeer, the Emmy-winning director of Fleabag and Killing Eve, directed and executive produced the first two episodes. Oren Uziel (22 Jump Street, The Lost City) and Steve Lightfoot (Marvel’s The Punisher) serve as co-showrunners and executive producers.
The series was developed alongside the Oscar-winning team behind Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse: Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, and Amy Pascal. All three serve as executive producers. Lord and Miller executive produce through their Lord Miller banner alongside Aditya Sood and Dan Shear. Pascal executive produces via Pascal Pictures. Nicolas Cage and Pavlina Hatoupis also hold executive producer credits.
Also Read:
When and Where to Watch Spider-Noir
Spider-Noir is scheduled to premiere in Spring 2026. An exact date has not yet been announced.
The rollout will happen in two stages. The series will first debut domestically in the United States on MGM+’s linear broadcast channel. The following day, it will launch globally on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories.
Prime Video is offering viewers a choice in how they watch. The full series will be available in two formats: “Authentic Black & White” and “True-Hue Full Colour.” This allows audiences to experience the noir aesthetic in monochrome or view the period costumes and sets in full color.
Also Read: Cross Season 2 Review: Is Prime Video’s Crime Thriller Worth Your Time or a Skip? Full Viewer Guide
For more entertainment news and updates on all your favorite superhero series, keep reading VvipTimes—your daily stop for casting calls, streaming dates, and behind-the-scenes exclusives from Hollywood and beyond.
