FX's new drama series Fosse/Verdon is set to be a showbiz story unlike anything we've ever seen. Based on a true story [1], the mostly biographical series [2] centres on Bob Fosse, the choreographer whose movements defined a generation of dance on stage, and his wife, Gwen Verdon, a legendary dancer who contributed a huge amount to his work. The series has cast a wide array of stars to play the big-name characters, drawing on both Hollywood names and Broadway [3] talent. For a full rundown of who's playing who in the edgy, glitzy drama [4] — and who you will and won't recognise right away — read through our gallery ahead!

Sam Rockwell as Bob Fosse

The Oscar-winning actor is set to lead the cast as legendary choreographer Bob Fosse. Rockwell won his Oscar in 2018 for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and was nominated again in 2019 for playing former President George W. Bush in Vice. Marvel fans will also recognise him as Iron Man 2's smarmy villain Justin Hammer. (Others still will never forget his iconic performance in the classic action comedy Charlie's Angels.)

Michelle Williams as Gwen Verdon

Williams plays Gwen Verdon, the acclaimed dancer who also worked (uncredited) as an assistant choreographer throughout her career, often alongside husband Fosse. Williams is an icon herself, as the winner of a Golden Globe for My Week With Marilyn. She's had memorable roles in Dawson's Creek, Brokeback Mountain, and Blue Valentine and has showed off her singing chops on screen (The Greatest Showman) and on stage (Cabaret).

Nate Corddry as Neil Simon

Cordrry is one of the lower-profile cast members but plays a high-powered figure: Neil Simon, the legendary Broadway playwright. Corddry was most recently seen on Mindhunter as Det. Art Spencer.

Bianca Marroquin as Chita Rivera

Marroquin steps into the dancing shoes of Chita Rivera, the Broadway legend best known for her role in the Broadway production of West Side Story. Marroquin has a major connection to the real actress she portrays: both starred in the Broadway musical Chicago, although Rivera played vamp Velma Kelly, while Marroquin played corrupt ingenue Roxie Hart.

Byron Jennings as George Abbott

Jennings, a veteran of Broadway (currently seen in Harry Potter [5] and the Cursed Child), plays George Abbott, a producer and writer who crosses paths with Fosse. Jennings has done showbiz stories on screen before: he had a brief role in The Greatest Showman as the disapproving father of Zac Efron [6]'s character.

Evan Handler as Hal Prince

As a director and producer, Prince has been associated with some of the biggest musicals of all time, including Cabaret, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, and Sweeney Todd. Handler is best known for his role as Harry on Sex and the City [7] and most recently appeared on American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson.

Rick Holmes as Fred Weaver

Holmes is one of the least-known actors in the cast, hailing mostly from Broadway and off-Broadway theatre roles such as Spamalot. He's playing Weaver, the dancer who oversaw the Chicago Academy of Theatre Arts.

Susan Misner as Joan McCracken

Dancer and actress Misner has been a TV staple for years, with roles on major drama series like The Americans and The Good Wife. She plays McCracken, the dancer whose breakout role was in the original cast of Oklahoma! — and who was Fosse's second wife, before Verdon.

Norbert Leo Butz as Paddy Chayefsky

Butz is no stranger to the world of musicals: he's starred in titles such as Wicked and My Fair Lady and is the recipient of two Tonys (for the musical adaptations of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and Catch Me If You Can). Here, he plays an offscreen persona: writer Chayefsky, a playwright and early TV writer.

Aya Cash as Joan Simon

Cash, best known for You're the Worst, plays Joan Simon, the first wife of playwright Neil Simon.

Ethan Slater as Joel Grey

Fresh off his Tony-nominated turn as SpongeBob in the Nickelodeon show's Broadway adaptation, Slater comes to the role of Joel Grey, who became a showbiz legend for his indelible performance as the Emcee in Cabaret on Broadway and on film.

Kelli Barrett as Liza Minnelli

Broadway star Barrett is ideal to tackle the role of showbiz legend Minnelli, who famously worked with Fosse on Cabaret. She's also known to Marvel fans for her role as Maria Castle in The Punisher.

Paul Reiser as Cy Feuer

The comedian is best known for his roles in sitcoms such as My Two Dads and Mad About You and, more recently, Netflix's Stranger Things [8]. He plays Cy Feuer, the producer behind the film adaptation of Cabaret.

Laura Osnes as Shirley MacLaine

Osnes is a two-time Tony Award nominee (for 2011's Bonnie and Clyde and 2013's update of Cinderella), most recently on stage in the World War II big-band musical Bandstand and in the touring concert series The Broadway Princess Party. She's set to play actress and dancer MacLaine, who starred in Fosse's film Sweet Charity.

Margaret Qualley as Ann Reinking

Qualley, best known for starring on HBO's The Leftovers, has been tapped to play Reinking, the top-notch Broadway dancer who starred in Chicago, Sweet Charity, and A Chorus Line.