Dead Boy Detectives Cast & Character Guide

Warning! Contains minor spoilers for Dead Boy Detectives.

Summary

• Dead Boy Detectives delivers intriguing supernatural stories with well-written characters and stellar performances by the cast members.
• Initially an HBO spin-off, Dead Boy Detectives became a Netflix show tied to The Sandman series, offering unique quirkiness and intrigue.
• The monster-of-the-episode format and the exceptional cast make the character beats relatable and fun, maintaining viewer engagement.

Dead Boy Detectives presents several intriguing supernatural stories, but its drama is further elevated by its well-written characters and the performances of the cast members who play them. Based on Neil Gaiman’s DC Comics characters of the same name, the Dead Boy Detectives made their first television appearance in HBO Max’s Doom Patrol. Owing to this, the Dead Boy Detectives series was initially supposed to be a spin-off of the HBO series.

However, the Neil Gaiman adaptation was later taken over by Netflix, making it a spin-off of the streamer’s The Sandman series. Like Netflix’s The Sandman, Dead Boy Detectives packs enough supernatural quirkiness and intrigue in its storylines to keep viewers hooked throughout its runtime. Its monster-of-the-episode format also keeps things refreshing till its finale’s credits start rolling. However, even the show’s cast members cannot be ignored because they play a crucial role in making its character beats more relatable and fun.

George Rexstrew as Edwin Payne

Active Since 2023

Actor: George Rexstrew graduated from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Before starring in Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives, he starred in and helped develop a play titled SCREEN 9, which helped him garner a lot of attention as an actor. Considering how he gives an incredible performance in Dead Boy Detectives and perfectly portrays his character, Edwin Payne, he will likely get more prominent roles in the near future.

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Character: In Dead Boy Detectives, George Rexstrew plays one of the two leading detective characters. His character, Edwin Payne, was once a student at St. Hilarion’s boarding school. However, he faced a tragic doom when a group of bullies sacrificed his soul to hell. After spending 70 years in the depths of hell, Payne used his knowledge of the occult to escape. Throughout the Netflix series, he accesses his intricate guides and notes of detailed information about the occult. His massive database of totems and spells helps him and his partner, Charles, overpower evil forces.

Jayden Revri as Charles Rowland

Active Since 2014

Actor: Born on May 16, 1999, in Brent, London, England, Jayden Revri is a British actor who made his television debut with Disney’s The Lodge. Before starring as one of the two leads in Dead Boy Detectives, he was last seen in Netflix’s Fate: The Winx Saga as Devin. Following his convincing performance as Charles in Netflix’s Dead Boy Detectives, Revri will likely land similar roles in the future.

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Character: After dying in 1990, Charles befriended Edwin Payne and chose to stick with him instead of going to the afterlife with Death. Before his demise, he, too, was a student at St. Hilarion’s. Although Charles is not as clever and knowledgeable as Edwin Payne, his presence of mind and fearlessness in the face of grave danger make him an incredible dead boy detective. He also carries a magical cricket bat that is imbued with the power of hurting and warding off malevolent forces.

Kassius Nelson as Crystal Palace

Active Since 2013

Actor: Kassius Nelson was born on 24 June 1997 in Islington, North London. Before dipping her feet into the world of acting, she was a performing arts student at the City and Islington Sixth Form College. She made her feature film debut in the indie movie Lone Rivers. Since then, she has starred in myriad television shows, movies, and shorts and even landed two British Soap Awards wins for her performance in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks.

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Character: Crystal first encounters the titular Dead Boy Detectives, Edwin and Charles, when they save her from a demonic possession. With what follows, Crystal ends up losing a significant chunk of her memory and decides to join forces with Edwin and Charles in their supernatural investigations. The show initially reveals that she is a psychic medium, but the more she learns about her past and family history, the more she understands the depth and scope of her powers.

Yuyu Kitamura as Niko Sasaki

Active Since 2018

Actor: Raised in Hong Kong, Yuyu Kitamura is a Japanese actress who graduated from NYU before starting her acting career. She made her acting debut with a short titled Clique Bait and made her first television appearance in an episode of the 2023 TV series Expats. Kitamura appears in all eight episodes of Dead Boy Detectives, making it her first major television role.

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Character: Yuyu Kitamura’s Dead Boy Detectives‘ character, Niko, hails from Japan. She moved to Port Townsend, Washington, after her father’s demise to finish high school. However, things took a grim turn after she got infected by supernatural parasites. Edwin, Charles, and Crystal join forces in the series to help her get rid of her parasites before it is too late. Once the parasites are out of the way, Niko becomes a part of the team and helps them with their investigations.

Jenn Lyon as Esther Finch

Actor: Born and raised in High Point, North Carolina, Jenn Lyon graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in 2003. Soon after, she moved to New York where she not only worked in theater but also started her own comedy sketch troupe, POYKPAC. Her work in comedy helped her land her first television role on Good Morning Internet! and paved the way for her future success in both comedic and dramatic roles.

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Character: Jenn Lyon’s Esther Finch is the main antagonist in Dead Boy Detectives. She is a witch who strikes a deal with Lilith to achieve immortality and even resorts to the darkest methods to make herself look young. In the Netflix series, Finch sets out on a vengeful path against the titular detectives and stops at nothing to ensure they learn the consequences of standing in her way.

Dead Boy Detectives
season 1 is available on Netflix for streaming.

Dead Boy Detectives Supporting Cast & Characters

Briana Cuoco as Jenny Green: Jenny Green, Crystal and Niko’s landlady and the owner of the Tongue & Tail butcher shop in Dead Boy Detectives, is portrayed by Briana Cuoco. The actress is Kaley Cuoco’s sister and has previously appeared in shows like The Flight Attendant and Harley Quinn.

Joshua Colley as Monty: Joshua Colley, of the Senior Year and Sex Appeal fame, plays Monty in Dead Boy Detectives.

Lukas Gage as Cat King: The Cat King, who ensnares Edwin in Dead Boy Detectives, is portrayed by Lukas Gage. Gage is best known for his performances in Euphoria, The White Lotus, Fargo, and Road House.

Michael Beach as Tragic Mick: Before portraying the magic shop owner and walrus-turned-human, Tragic Mick, in Dead Boy Detectives, Micael Beach was in Aquaman and Ryan Murphy’s Monster.

David Iacono as David the Demon: Best known for his roles in The Summer I Turned Pretty and The Flight Attendant, David Iaconno plays Crystal’s ex-boyfriend, David the Demon, in Dead Boy Detectives.

Ruth Connell as Night Nurse: Before playing the Night Nurse in Dead Boy Detectives, Ruth Connell starred in several TV shows and movies, like Supernatural, For the Love of George, Doom Patrol, and The Winchesters.