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The 12 Biggest Stars In 'Murder On The Orient Express' And What They're Doing Right Now (2025 Update)

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The 2017 adaptation of Agatha Christie’s classic, Murder on the Orient Express, captivated audiences not just with its stunning visuals and intricate mystery, but with one of the most star-studded ensemble casts in modern cinema. Directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh, the film brought together a dozen A-list actors, each playing a passenger with a secret.

As of December 2025, the careers of these actors continue to flourish, with major blockbuster roles, highly anticipated stage returns, and critically acclaimed projects dominating the industry. We dive into the impressive biographies and the very latest updates on the biggest names who boarded the luxurious train.

The All-Star Cast: Biographies and Latest Projects (2024-2025)

The success of the Murder on the Orient Express film lies in its ability to fill every role, no matter how small, with a globally recognized talent. This list details the key players from the 2017 film and their most current professional endeavors, ensuring you have the freshest information on where to see these stars next.

  • Sir Kenneth Branagh (Hercule Poirot): The director and star, Branagh has solidified his position as the modern-day Hercule Poirot.
    • Biography: A five-time Oscar winner, he is a celebrated actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his Shakespearean adaptations and blockbusters like Thor.
    • Latest Update: Following the completion of his Poirot trilogy with A Haunting in Venice (2023), Branagh is set to star in a new, non-Poirot project announced in May 2024. He also continues his acclaimed stage work, performing in the titular role of Shakespeare's King Lear in 2024.
  • Michelle Pfeiffer (Caroline Hubbard): Pfeiffer played the flamboyant American socialite, Mrs. Hubbard.
    • Biography: An Oscar-nominated actress, she is an industry icon known for roles in Scarface, Batman Returns, and her recent work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
    • Latest Update: She is set to star in the upcoming Christmas comedy film Oh. What. Fun., scheduled for release in 2025. She also reprised her role as Janet van Dyne in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.
  • Daisy Ridley (Mary Debenham): Ridley portrayed the governess with a complex past, Mary Debenham.
    • Biography: Best known globally as Rey in the latest Star Wars trilogy, Ridley has successfully transitioned to diverse roles across genres.
    • Latest Update: Her career is rapidly expanding with several major projects, including the horror film We Bury the Dead, which premiered in late 2024. Most significantly, she is confirmed to return to the Star Wars universe, reprising her role as Rey in a new Jedi Order film, with filming potentially beginning in 2025. She is also starring in the action film Cleaner.
  • Penélope Cruz (Pilar Estravados): Cruz took on the role of the Spanish missionary, Pilar Estravados.
    • Biography: A celebrated Spanish actress, Cruz is an Academy Award winner known for her collaborations with Pedro Almodóvar and her international film career.
    • Latest Update: Her recent work includes the 2023 film Ferrari, and she has several upcoming projects listed as 'TBA' (To Be Announced), including La Bola Negra and a potential reunion with husband Javier Bardem in the film Bunker, set for release in 2025.
  • Willem Dafoe (Gerhard Hardman): Dafoe played the role of the Austrian professor, Gerhard Hardman.
    • Biography: A highly versatile, four-time Academy Award nominee known for his work in independent films and blockbusters like the Spider-Man and Aquaman franchises.
    • Latest Update: Dafoe had a major role in Yorgos Lanthimos's 2024 film Kinds of Kindness. He is also in talks to re-team with director Robert Eggers for the film Werwulf, and is set to star in The Legend of Ochi (2025).
  • Leslie Odom Jr. (Dr. Arbuthnot): Odom Jr. portrayed Dr. Arbuthnot, a former military doctor.
    • Biography: A Tony and Grammy Award winner, he is famous for originating the role of Aaron Burr in the Broadway sensation Hamilton, and has since built a successful film and music career.
    • Latest Update: In a major return to the stage, Odom Jr. is scheduled to return to Broadway in Hamilton in the Fall of 2025. He is also adapting a 2024 Rolling Stone investigation into Sammy Davis Jr. for a new project and has a 2025 holiday tour planned.

Behind the Curtain: The True Ensemble Nature of the Orient Express

What makes the 2017 Murder on the Orient Express so compelling is not just the high-profile nature of the main cast, but the depth of talent that filled the supporting roles. The film truly embodied the term "ensemble cast," where every passenger was a potential suspect and every actor a celebrated entity in their own right.

This approach, championed by director Kenneth Branagh, ensures that the tension and intrigue of Agatha Christie's original 1934 novel are maintained, as the audience is constantly questioning the motives of a dozen familiar faces. The film's success led directly to the creation of the modern Hercule Poirot film series, which continued with Death on the Nile (2022) and A Haunting in Venice (2023).

The Supporting Pillars of the Mystery

Beyond the six actors detailed above, the "actors in Orient Express" list is a veritable who's who of established talent. Their presence added significant weight and topical authority to the production, making it a cinematic event.

  • Judi Dench (Princess Dragomiroff): The legendary Oscar-winning Dame Judi Dench played the Russian Princess. She remains active in film and theatre, continuing her decades-long career.
  • Johnny Depp (Edward Ratchett): Depp portrayed the victim, the American businessman Ratchett. His career has seen a resurgence in recent years, focusing on independent films and directing.
  • Josh Gad (Hector MacQueen): Gad, known for his voice work as Olaf in Frozen, played Ratchett's secretary. He continues to work extensively in film, television, and Broadway.
  • Derek Jacobi (Masterman): Jacobi, a veteran Shakespearean actor, played Ratchett's valet. He maintains a prolific career in British theatre and television.
  • Lucy Boynton (Countess Andrenyi): Boynton, who played the Hungarian Countess, has since become a major figure in fashion and film, starring in projects like Bohemian Rhapsody and The Politician.
  • Tom Bateman (Bouc): Bateman played Bouc, Poirot's friend and the director of the train line. He is the only other actor besides Branagh to appear in all three films of the Poirot trilogy, establishing him as a core entity in the cinematic universe.

The Enduring Legacy of the Poirot Film Series

The 2017 film was more than a standalone mystery; it was the foundation for a new cinematic universe based on the works of Agatha Christie. Kenneth Branagh's commitment to the role of Hercule Poirot has revitalized interest in the classic detective stories, introducing them to a new generation of viewers. The lavish production design, the snowy mountain setting, and the sheer star power of the cast cemented the film's place as a modern classic.

The film’s success highlights a key trend in modern Hollywood: the power of the ensemble cast. By distributing the dramatic weight across multiple high-caliber performers, the film created a unique spectacle where the audience was constantly engaged by the interplay between the characters. This strategy provided a fresh take on a story that has been adapted multiple times, including the famous 1974 version and various TV movies.

With the main actors from Murder on the Orient Express continuing to land major roles—from Daisy Ridley's return to Star Wars to Michelle Pfeiffer's ongoing presence in the MCU and Leslie Odom Jr.'s return to Hamilton—the legacy of the 2017 film is secured. It remains a pivotal point in the careers of these twelve stars, a luxurious, high-stakes journey they all took together. The film's enduring popularity and the subsequent Poirot sequels prove that a great mystery, paired with a great cast, is a timeless formula for success.

actors in orient express
actors in orient express

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