Casting the Novel That Doesn’t Exist (Yet!)

If The Second Coming of Grace were turned into a movie or TV series, who would play the characters? It’s a question every writer secretly thinks about—whether or not an adaptation ever happens.

For this post, I’m putting on my imaginary casting director hat and selecting actors—past and present, younger and older—who could embody my characters. Let’s dive in!

Grace Morgenstern – A Young Barbra Streisand

Grace is fiercely intelligent, is deeply spiritual, and has a unique beauty that isn’t always recognized in an industry obsessed with conventional looks. She also has a big, expressive personality that shines when she’s passionate about something.

🔹 Why Barbra? Young Barbra Streisand was bold, quirky, self-assured and insecure, all at once. She didn’t fit the mold of a Hollywood ingenue, yet she became a legend. Much like Grace, she refused to erase her Jewish identity to be more “marketable.” That mix of talent, fire, and vulnerability makes her a perfect fit.

🔹 Modern Alternative: Beanie Feldstein—she has that same mix of wit, charm, and unapologetic presence.

Tobias Michaels – Jamie Dornan or a Young Liam Neeson

Tobias is charismatic, self-assured, and magnetic, but with a deep emotional core. He’s a working actor who straddles the line between Hollywood and indie film, bringing old-school leading-man energy while still being soulful and artistic.

🔹 Why Jamie Dornan? Dornan has that mix of smoldering intensity and quiet depth—exactly what Tobias needs. Plus, as an Irish actor himself, he’d bring authenticity to Tobias’s Celtic heritage.

🔹 A Younger Liam Neeson (1980s/1990s version) would also work—commanding, ruggedly handsome, but thoughtful.

Krystle Bennett – Gina Torres

Krystle is polished, commanding, and a powerhouse. She’s the kind of person who owns the room the second she walks in—a woman who has mastered the industry’s rules and expects her clients to follow them.

🔹 Why Gina Torres? She is Krystle. Confident. Intelligent. No-nonsense. Magnetic. You can absolutely see her as an agent who knows how the industry works and isn’t afraid to push Grace to fit the mold.

🔹 Other Options: Viola Davis (if Krystle leaned more formidable and intimidating).

Sigrid Larsson – Margot Robbie or Grace Kelly

Sigrid is icy perfection—beautiful, ambitious, and effortlessly put-together. She represents the ideal woman that patriarchy glorifies—the one who never challenges the system, just benefits from it.

🔹 Why Margot Robbie? She can play both charm and cruelty with effortless ease. Sigrid isn’t an overt villain, but she’s a master of the subtle dig, the polished insult, the smile that barely hides the condescension.

🔹 A classic alternative? Grace Kelly. The epitome of graceful, untouchable perfection.

🔹 A bonus alternative: Chloe Sévigny. Just because in the past, I’ve wanted to look like her.

Liam Russell – Timothée Chalamet or Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Younger Years)

Liam is the intellectual, introspective best friend—sharp-witted, deeply curious, and always questioning the world around him. He’s a psychology student specializing in paranormal phenomena, meaning he approaches Grace’s abilities with both skepticism and fascination.

🔹 Why Timothée Chalamet? He’s got that sharp, thoughtful energy—a perfect balance of nerdy and brooding. He’d bring the academic curiosity and the emotional depth Liam needs.

🔹 A Younger Joseph Gordon-Levitt (from his 500 Days of Summer or Looper days) would also be a strong choice—smart, introspective, and just a little bit nerdy.

Rowan O’Neill – Dev Patel

Rowan is intensely artistic, deeply compassionate, and naturally grounding. He’s a sociology/anthropology grad student fascinated by mythology and the way culture shapes identity. Unlike Liam, who intellectualizes everything, Rowan feels things deeply.

🔹 Why Dev Patel? He’s thoughtful, warm, and effortlessly charismatic—he could absolutely embody Rowan’s poetic soul and deep curiosity about the world.

Evelyn Turner – Helen Mirren or Meryl Streep

Evelyn is the wise, warm, no-nonsense mentor—a retired psychologist with a strong spiritual side. She’s grounded but open-minded, offering Grace a framework for understanding her abilities without dictating what to believe.

🔹 Why Helen Mirren? Because she radiates intelligence, warmth, and quiet authority. Evelyn isn’t a sweet, nurturing grandmother figure—she’s sharp, she’s experienced, and she has no patience for nonsense.

🔹 Meryl Streep could also embody that same balance of intellectual rigor and emotional wisdom.

Celeste – Judi Dench or Isabelle Huppert

Celeste is the mysterious old woman who appears at just the right moments, guiding Grace with riddles and cryptic wisdom. She’s not a traditional mentor—she’s more of a cosmic signpost, pointing Grace toward the truth without ever revealing it outright.

🔹 Why Judi Dench? She has the gravitas and quiet knowing to play someone who may or may not be an angelic figure. She’d bring a serene yet powerful presence to Celeste.

🔹 French Alternative: Isabelle Huppert—she can be both ethereal and unsettling, perfect for Celeste’s is-she-human-or-is-she-more energy.

Final Thoughts: Who Would You Cast?

Dream casting is one of my favorite things to do as a writer. It brings the characters to life in a different way and lets me visualize their personalities on screen.

Now it’s your turn—who would you cast in a dream adaptation of The Second Coming of Grace? Would you change any of my picks? Let’s discuss in the comments!

Next week, I’ll be back to more serious themes—diving into the mentors of fiction and what makes a great guide in storytelling. Stay tuned!