Prime Video is getting ready to drop one of the most exciting action comedies of the year. Ride or Die brings together an impressive group of actors led by Hannah Waddingham and Octavia Spencer. The eight-episode series arrives on July 15, 2026, and follows two best friends whose lives change forever when one of them turns out to be an international assassin.
The show comes from creator Tessa Coates and showrunner Matt Miller, with Peyton Reed directing the first two episodes. The series has a star-filled cast that includes Oscar winners, beloved character actors, and rising talents. Here is everything you need to know about who is playing whom in Ride or Die.
Hannah Waddingham as Judith Burton
Hannah Waddingham takes on the lead role of Judith Burton, an international assassin living a double life. Waddingham is best known for playing Rebecca Welton on the hit series Ted Lasso, a role she will reprise in season 4 coming to Apple TV on August 5. She also played Septa Unella in Game of Thrones and voiced the Grand Councilwoman in Disney’s live-action Lilo & Stitch.
In Ride or Die, Judith has been keeping her secret life hidden from her best friend Debbie for over twenty years. When a hit goes wrong and a mysterious enemy emerges, Judith must bring Debbie along on a dangerous road trip across Europe. Waddingham did all of her own stunts for the series and even suffered a calf injury during filming.
“I gave myself fully to the stunts. I’d work on a stunt for a week and then shoot it, then the next day I’d have to learn the next one. I was like, ‘Guys, I’m mangled – can we just leave it a minute?’”
Waddingham also serves as an executive producer on the show alongside Spencer.
Octavia Spencer as Debbie Claybourne
Octavia Spencer plays Debbie Claybourne, Judith’s best friend who has no idea about her friend’s secret profession. Spencer is an Academy Award winner for her performance in The Help and received Oscar nominations for Hidden Figures and The Shape of Water.
Debbie’s world gets turned upside down when she learns Judith is an assassin. To make matters worse, she discovers her husband has stolen money from a dangerous mob, making her a target too. This forces Debbie to trust Judith and join her on an action-filled adventure across Europe.
Like Waddingham, Spencer also executive produces the series through her production company Orit Entertainment.
Bill Nighy as The Director
Bill Nighy joins the cast as The Director, the head of the agency Judith works for. Nighy is a beloved actor known for Love Actually, About Time, Living, and the Pirates of the Caribbean series.
The Director is described as someone who rules with a “delicate, elegant level of fear”. Waddingham shared that creator Tessa Coates wrote the role specifically for Nighy.
“He is the director of my character’s agency. He is the lord high executioner of all, and just reigns with a delicate, elegant level of fear. There really wasn’t anyone else who could have played this role.”
Spencer added that they were thrilled when Nighy agreed to join the project. In the trailer, The Director gives Judith a difficult choice between staying with the organization or protecting her best friend.
Ed Skrein as Billy Donovan
Ed Skrein plays Billy Donovan in Ride or Die. Skrein is known for playing Ajax in Deadpool, Daario Naharis in Game of Thrones season 3, and Atticus Noble in Zack Snyder’s Rebel Moon films. He also appears in the upcoming Jurassic World Rebirth.
Billy is one of the dangerous characters pursuing Judith and Debbie as they try to escape across Europe.
Sylvia Hoeks as Ana
Sylvia Hoeks plays Ana in the series. Hoeks is best known for her role as Luv in Blade Runner 2049 and has also appeared in The Girl in the Spider’s Web.
Calam Lynch as Sam
Calam Lynch portrays Sam. Lynch has appeared in Bridgerton, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2, and the series Sweetpea. Based on the trailer, his character appears to be connected to the organization Judith works for.
Savannah Steyn as Queenie
Savannah Steyn plays Queenie. Steyn has credits in House of the Dragon and the film Good Boy. In the series, Queenie helps Debbie and Judith with a fake British passport for their mission.
Jamie Parker as David
Jamie Parker takes on the role of David, Debbie’s husband. Parker earned an Olivier Award for his performance as Harry Potter in the original West End production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. David’s actions put Debbie in danger when he steals money from a powerful mob.
Jacky Ido as Jacques
Jacky Ido rounds out the main cast as Jacques. Ido has appeared in the series West and other productions.
Production Team Behind the Series
Ride or Die comes from a strong production team. Tessa Coates, known for Feel Good, created the series based on her own idea. Matt Miller from Lethal Weapon serves as showrunner. Peyton Reed, who directed all three Ant-Man movies for Marvel and episodes of The Mandalorian, directs the first two episodes.
The series is produced by Paramount Television Studios, Amazon MGM Studios, Andy and Barbara Muschietti’s Double Dream, and Octavia Spencer’s Orit Entertainment. The Muschiettis recently worked on IT: Welcome to Derry for HBO.
Executive producers include Coates, Miller, Reed, Spencer, Waddingham, Andy Muschietti, Barbara Muschietti, Irene Yeung, Brian Clisham, and Stephanie Kluft.
What Ride or Die Is About
The series follows best friends Debbie Claybourne and Judith Burton who have known each other for over twenty years. They think they know everything about each other, but Judith has been hiding a huge secret – she works as an international assassin.
When a mysterious figure from Judith’s past appears and a hit goes wrong, both women are forced to go on the run together. They must race against time across Europe while law enforcement, trained assassins, and dangerous criminals chase them. Along the way, they also have to repair their damaged friendship.
The show blends big action sequences with comedy, creating what the stars describe as a “unique” buddy pairing. Waddingham and Spencer also serve as executive producers on the project.
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When and Where to Watch Ride or Die
All eight episodes of Ride or Die will be available on Prime Video starting July 15, 2026. The series will be available in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.
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