Prepare to question the very fabric of family and freedom when “Motherland” arrives in theaters on September 12, 2025. This gripping dystopian thriller is set in an alternate present-day society where the state has ostensibly liberated parents from the immense responsibility of raising children, promising a more efficient and harmonious existence for all. The film follows Cora, a dedicated enforcer of this system, whose unwavering belief in the rules is shattered when she uncovers a shocking truth buried deep within the machinery of the state. This discovery ignites a fiery rebellion that threatens to topple the very foundations of their controlled world.

Anchoring this thought-provoking and timely narrative is an exceptional ensemble cast led by the formidable Miriam Silverman as the revolutionary Cora. She is joined by the legendary Holland Taylor and the intensely charismatic Néstor Carbonell, alongside a talented group of actors including Emily Arancio, Molly Hager, and Arica Himmel. “Motherland” promises to be a visually striking and emotionally powerful film that explores the cost of absolute efficiency, the unbreakable bonds of family, and the courage it takes to defy a seemingly perfect system.

Motherland complete cast

1: Miriam Silverman as Cora

Tony Award-winning actress Miriam Silverman takes on the pivotal role of Cora, the rule enforcer whose journey from loyal servant of the state to passionate rebel forms the core of the film. Silverman, renowned for her powerful stage presence and nuanced television work in shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Good Fight, possesses a remarkable ability to portray intelligent, complex women undergoing profound transformation. Her character begins as a true believer in the system’s dogma, seeing her work as a noble duty, which makes her impending disillusionment all the more impactful.

Silverman’s performance will be a masterclass in internal conflict and burgeoning defiance. She must guide the audience through Cora’s seismic shift in perspective, making her awakening both believable and deeply compelling. As Cora uncovers the dark secrets behind the state’s “perfect” system, Silverman will embody the terror, rage, and determined hope that fuels a revolution, establishing Cora as a new iconic heroine in the sci-fi thriller genre.

2: Holland Taylor as Toni

The esteemed and versatile Holland Taylor brings her formidable talent to the role of Toni. A veteran actress with an Emmy Award and a storied career spanning decades in film, television, and theater, Taylor is perfectly suited to play a character of significant authority and mystery. Toni could be a high-ranking architect of the state’s system, a wise figurehead who presents its benevolent face, or perhaps a dissenter who has been quietly waiting for a spark like Cora to ignite change.

Taylor’s presence commands attention and conveys deep layers of history and intention with a single glance. Her character, whether ally or antagonist to Cora, will be crucial in defining the power structure of this alternate society. Taylor’s ability to deliver sharp, intelligent dialogue with equal parts warmth and severity will make Toni a fascinating and unpredictable force within the narrative, leaving audiences to question her true motives until the very end.

3: Néstor Carbonell as Mateo

The magnetic Néstor Carbonell, with his distinctive presence and penetrating gaze, portrays Mateo. Carbonell is widely recognized for his roles as the enigmatic Richard Alpert in Lost, the charismatic Mayor Anthony Garcia in Bates Motel, and his appearances in the The Dark Knight trilogy. His casting suggests a character of immense importance, likely a fellow enforcer, a government official, or a key leader within either the state apparatus or the underground resistance.

Carbonell excels at portraying characters with hidden depths and moral complexity. As Mateo, he could be a formidable obstacle to Cora’s rebellion, a potential ally with his own secrets, or even the figure who first plants the seeds of doubt in her mind. His performance will add a layer of intense intrigue and gravitas to the film, as his character’s allegiance and backstory become vital to the central conflict and Cora’s ultimate mission.

4: Emily Arancio as Zinnia

Emily Arancio brings the character of Zinnia to life. An actress on the rise, Arancio’s role is integral to the human cost at the heart of the film’s conflict. Zinnia could be one of the children raised entirely by the state, representing the product of this system—perhaps a model citizen or someone beginning to feel its inherent emptiness. Alternatively, she could be a new mother facing the state’s intervention, making her story a direct catalyst for Cora’s awakening.

Arancio’s performance will ground the film’s high-concept premise in raw, human emotion. Through Zinnia, the audience will see the personal consequences of the state’s policies, giving a face to the abstract idea of “the burden” of parenting that has been removed. Her interactions with Cora will likely be a key emotional driver, making the systemic conflict painfully personal and urgent.

5: Molly Hager as Myrtle

Molly Hager, an actress and writer known for her work on High Maintenance and The Onion News Network, takes on the role of Myrtle. This character’s name suggests someone who might work within the system’s infrastructure, perhaps a colleague of Cora’s who remains a staunch believer in their work. Myrtle could serve as a foil to Cora, representing the blind obedience and indoctrination that Cora must overcome both externally and within herself.

Hager’s background in comedy and satire suggests she could bring a nuanced irony to the role, highlighting the absurdities of the system that Cora once failed to see. Myrtle’s unwavering dedication will create compelling dramatic tension as Cora’s rebellion begins, posing the dangerous question of what happens when a true believer is confronted with a heretic they once called a friend.

6: Doug Harris as Thomas

Doug Harris portrays Thomas. His character is likely a figure embedded within the state’s hierarchy, potentially a supervisor to Cora or a technician who maintains the system’s functionality. Thomas could represent the banality of evil—a person who is not inherently malicious but is so committed to the routine and order of his job that he willingly upholds an oppressive regime without questioning its morality.

Harris’s performance will be crucial in illustrating how such a invasive system is maintained by ordinary people simply doing their jobs. Thomas may act as a obstacle of bureaucratic indifference, his refusal to see the humanity in his work making him just as dangerous as the more overtly villainous characters. He embodies the system’s chilling efficiency and the difficulty of fighting against something that its operators do not see as cruel.

7: Julia Blanchard as Yvonne

Julia Blanchard appears as Yvonne. This role could be another parent who has willingly given up her child, a state caregiver, or an administrator who coolly implements the policy. Yvonne might represent the widespread societal acceptance of the norm, showing that Cora’s rebellion is not just against the government but against an entire culture that has accepted this reality as truth.

Blanchard’s interpretation of Yvonne will help to define the everyday world of this society. Whether she is a content beneficiary of the system or a cog in its machine, her character will demonstrate the pervasive nature of the state’s control and the societal pressure Cora faces when she begins to question everything everyone else takes for granted.

8: Arica Himmel as Willa

Arica Himmel, known for her leading role in the reboot of Mixed-ish, takes on the part of Willa. Himmel’s casting suggests a significant role for a younger character. Willa could be a teenager on the cusp of adulthood within the state system, beginning to question her own identity and origins. Alternatively, she could be the specific child that sparks Cora’s maternal instincts and her ultimate rebellion, making her the emotional heart of the entire story.

Himmel’s proven ability to portray thoughtful and curious characters makes her ideal to represent the new generation. Willa’s journey of discovery could run parallel to Cora’s, and their relationship will likely be the key that unlocks the film’s most powerful themes of connection, identity, and the innate human need for a family bond that the state cannot replicate.

9: Pearl Shin as Alice

Pearl Shin rounds out the cast as Alice. This character could serve in various capacities, perhaps as a diligent and perhaps overly enthusiastic junior enforcer, or a citizen who reports dissenters to the authorities. Alice represents the younger generation that has known nothing but this system, having been fully indoctrinated into its ideology from birth. Her unwavering faith in the state’s doctrine would make her a formidable and terrifying adversary because of her sincere belief.

Shin’s performance will highlight the terrifying success of the state’s propaganda and control. Alice is a reminder that the greatest challenge to Cora’s rebellion may not be the architects of the system, but the millions of ordinary people like Alice who have been taught to love their chains and will fight to protect their perceived liberation from the “burden” of natural human relationships.