Netflix's The Chair stars a cast of familiar faces as well as some up-and-coming actors in ing roles. Since its release on the streaming platform in August of 2021, the show has received rave reviews from fans and critics alike. The series marks the first in a multi-million dollar deal between Netflix and Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, who spearheaded the project.
Co-created by another talented duo, Amanda Peet and Annie Wyman, the six-episode Netflix TV show revolves around a group of professors at the fictional Pembrook University. The Chair follows Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim (Sandra Oh) as she struggles to navigate her new role as Pembrook's English Department Chair. Sandra Oh impressively leads the star-studded cast of actors including Jay Duplass, Nana Mensah, Holland Taylor, David Morse, and Bob Balaban.
The Chair cast and crew boasts a talented list of names and faces. Many of the actors will be instantly recognizable to viewers, and all of them deliver stellar performances in the Netflix Original TV show. Here's a look at the characters portrayed in the show and where audiences will recognize each of the actors from.
Sandra Oh as Professor Ji-Yoon Kim
Sandra Oh stars as professor Ji-Yoon Kim. In The Chair, Dr. Ji-Yoon Kim has her work cut out for her as the first female and woman of color to hold the title of English Department Chair at Pembrook University. The Actor portrays the character with empathy and heart, as she strives to bring her vision for the school to life — all while juggling the demands of both her career and motherhood. Before her latest TV show, the actor’s breakout role came in her portrayal of another doctor — Dr. Cristina Yang in Grey’s Anatomy, which she starred in from 2005 to 2014. Sandra Oh’s acting career includes appearances in several other TV shows and movie roles including playing ing characters in Sideways and Under the Tuscan Sun, and being a co-lead in Killing Eve. Sandra Oh is also known for her portrayal of Debbie Grayson in the animated series Invincible.
Jay Duplass as Professor Bill Dobson
Also a professor in the English Department, Dr. Dobson recently lost his wife and his daughter has just left for college when The Chair opens in episode 1. After returning to the classroom, Dobson unintentionally causes a scandal that the series revolves around. Audiences may know Jay Duplass as being part of the writer/director duo with his brother Mark. The Duplass brothers got their start writing, directing, producing, and starring in several indie features including The Puffy Chair. The actor is also known for his more recent television work, including his role as the middle child, Josh Pfefferman, in one of Amazon Prime's best LGBTQ+ TV shows, Transparent. He also starred in Search Party and had a recurring role as Duncan in The Mindy Project.
Everly Carganilla as Ju-Hee "Ju Ju" Kim
Ju-Hee Kim is the adopted daughter of Dr. Kim in The Chair. Ju-hee is named after professor Kim's mother, who died when she was a child. The show explores Ju-Hee's journey as she embraces her biological past and heritage as well as the new traditions of her adoptive family. It's a nuanced character for such a young actor to portray and Carganilla totally nails the role. Before The Chair, Carganilla recently starred in the Netflix Original film, Yes Day, with Jennifer Gardner. Carganilla was also in the 2021 horror flick The Haunted Man, and she played baby Jane in an episode of Jane The Virgin in 2015.
Nana Mensah as Professor Yaz McCay
Dr. McCay is a scholar and young professor in the English department hoping to make tenure at Pembroke University in Netflix's The Chair — struggling to do so, even though she’s loved by her students and is a much more engaging teacher than her older, male colleagues. When one of these colleagues attempts to block her from obtaining tenure, McCay must decide whether to stay and fight for the position she so clearly deserves or accept a new position at Yale. Mensah is known for her role as Dr. Camila Candelario in New Amsterdam. Audiences may also recognize the actor from her two other recent appearances in Netflix Original TV shows Bonding and 13 Reasons Why. Mensah also recently made her directorial debut and starred in the 2021 film, Queen of Glory, for which the actor/director earned the award for Best New Narrative Director at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Holland Taylor as Professor Joan Hambling
Dr. Joan Hambling is an underappreciated senior member of the English department faculty. Holland Taylor has had a long and seasoned career as an actor, appearing in dozens of roles over the years. On the big screen, Holland is known for her roles in movies like The Truman Show, Legally Blonde — where she also plays a professor — and in the classic romantic comedy, Romancing the Stone. Holland recently starred in the Netflix TV show, Hollywood, and she also appeared in the television series, Two And A Half Men prior to The Chair.
Bob Balaban as Professor Elliot Rentz
Dr. Rentz is a tenured member of the English department faculty who has trouble accepting the changes Dr. Kim is trying to make at Pembroke. Dr. Rentz is played by Bob Balaban, who has appeared in award-winning films, including, most recently, Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom and The Grand Budapest Hotel. He's perhaps best known for his work with director Christopher Guest, appearing in his comedies Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration. His first Netflix TV show role was in The Politician. Prior to those appearances, Balaban is also known for his recurring role as the estranged father to Phoebe on Friends.
David Morse as Dean Paul Larson
Paul Larson serves as the Dean of the English Department at Pembroke University. Though he appointed Dr. Kim as Chair, he does little to her once she is in the position. David Morse has appeared in a number of notable films throughout his storied career as an actor, which includes roles in World War Z, 12 Monkeys, The Green Mile, and the Academy award-winning feature, The Hurt Locker. On the small screen, Morse has also appeared in several TV shows including a recurring role in House, and, more recently, as Hank Crawford in Blindspot.
David Duchovny as Himself
David Duchovny makes a special guest star appearance in the series, as himself. Fans will recognize Duchovny from his many movie and TV roles, including The X-Files' agent Fox Mulder. He also played the lead in HBO's Californication, along with acting in dozens of other TV shows and movies. The Chair highlights two of Duchovny's other ions as well. What fans might not know about the actor is that he is also a musician and a writer. Duchovny has released three rock albums, and he recently published his fourth novel.
ing Cast & Characters
Ella Rubin as Dafna - An English student at Pembroke University. Dr. Dobson is a bit of a hero for the young, budding writer. Audiences may recognize Rubin from her role as Biana Breer in an episode of the 2021 reboot, Gossip Girl, and starred in the 2014 feature, The Rewrite.
Ron Crawford as professor McHale - Dr. Crawford is the oldest of the senior faculty in Pembroke’s English department. Before this series, Crawford played alongside Hailee Steinfeld in the Apple TV+ show, Dickinson.
Jordan Tyson as Capri - Tyson portrays another one of the talented young students in the English department, Capri. This is a breakout role for the actor, but audiences may have also seen Tyson in the Netflix movie, Vampires vs. The Bronx.
Mallory Low as Lila - Low portrays Dr. Dobson's teaching assistant in The Chair. Low previously appeared in How To Get Away With Murder and Ad Astra.
Ji-yong Lee as Habi Kim - Lee plays Dr. Kim's father who has a hard time bonding with his granddaughter but instantly takes to Dr. Dobson when he helps babysit Ju Ju. Lee previously appeared in several South Korean productions including films such as The Quiz Show Scandal and Good Morning President.
Bob Stephenson as the Pembroke IT guy - In The Chair, his character in the Netflix show helps Dr. Joan Hambling find out which one of her students left a distasteful and inappropriate review of her class online. Stephenson’s previous movie credits include appearances in Fight Club and Lady Bird.
Marcia Debonis as Laurie - Debonis plays Dr. Kim’s English department assistant. Audiences may recognize Marcia from her previous role in the Netflix TV show, Orange Is The New Black. Before The Chair, Debonis also appeared in several feature films including 13 Going On 30.