Tiger King TV Miniseries Cast

Kate McKinnon Is Starring in the Tiger King Miniseries — Here's Our Full Dream Cast

Mar 30 2020 by Amanda Prahl

Netflix's hit Tiger King tells a story of exotic animals and crime for hire that's stranger than fiction, so it's no surprise that there's a fictionalised version of the docuseries now in the works. Who should play big cat breeder Joe Exotic and the quirky crew of misfits who surrounded him? We've got more than a few ideas! Although one of the central roles is already cast — that of Exotic's rival Carole Baskin — the rest of the real-life characters have yet to have actors attached. Ahead, we've put together a few of our thoughts on some of the important figures sure to be included. Do you agree with our picks?

Image Source: Netflix

Kate McKinnon as Carole Baskin

This one's not theoretical at all: Variety reported in November 2019 that McKinnon is set to play Exotic's rival, Carole Baskin, in the upcoming miniseries.

Image Source: Getty / George Pimentel

Dax Shepard as Joe Exotic

Shepard is already campaigning to play the over-the-top big cat breeder, tweeting, "If I don't get cast as Joe Exotic in the eventual biopic, Hollywood is broken."

Image Source: Getty / Manny Carabel

Edward Norton as Joe Exotic

Norton had some choice words for his buddy Shepard, tweeting back, "Um, step aside, pal. You're way too young and buff and you know it. You could probably pull off Maldonado still, actually. Wouldn't that be fun?"

Image Source: Getty / Franco Origlia

Steve Buscemi as Howard Baskin

Carole Baskin's third husband, the older Howard, isn't as flashy a character, but he's right in the centre of things when it comes to the couple's lawsuits — and Carole's near-murder — with Exotic. Buscemi could totally pull off that tricky balance.

Image Source: Getty / Valerie Macon

Watch This!

Pop Quiz

Watch the Cast of Fear Street Play a Creepy Game of Horror Movie "Would You Rather"

Fred Stoller as Howard Baskin

For a younger-looking take on Baskin, this character actor — a perpetual "you know, That Guy!" — could potentially be a dark horse for the unassuming but crucial role.

Image Source: Getty / Paul Archuleta

Kevin Costner as Doc Antle

The director of Myrtle Beach Safari plays a big role in Exotic's life and career, and Hollywood staple Costner has just the right combination of charisma and grit to pull it off.

Image Source: Getty / Roger Kisby

Bob Odenkirk as Doc Antle

Better Call Saul reminds us that Odenkirk is one of the best character actors working today — he'd kill it as Doc Antle!

Image Source: Getty / Kevin Mazur

Pete Davidson as John Finlay

If the casting skews younger, Davidson could slip into the role of Finlay. He's got the tats already, plus that rough-around-the-edges vibe.

Image Source: Getty / Steven Ferdman

Aaron Paul as John Finlay

A slightly older option for Finlay might be Aaron Paul, who's shown us already that he can go from hapless to fearsome in the blink of an eye.

Image Source: Getty / Leon Bennett

Nick Offerman as John Reinke

A little gruff and rough, with some serious facial hair, Reinke's role could use a big personality like the Parks and Rec star.

Image Source: Getty / Rachel Luna

Bryan Cranston as John Reinke

A supporting role might be too small for this Tony- and Emmy winner, but we can't stop imagining Cranston's unique gifts to just disappear into the role of Reinke, one of Exotic's right-hand men.

Image Source: Getty / Alberto E. Rodriguez

Thomas Haden Church as Rick Kirkham

We can definitely imagine this Spider-Man and Hellboy supporting actor as Kirkham, who was a producer for Joe Exotic TV.

Image Source: Getty / Monica Schipper

Willem Dafoe as Rick Kirkham

With his unique expressions and ability to slide into a role, we think Dafoe could pull off the role of Kirkham with no problem!

Image Source: Getty / Gareth Cattermole

Woody Harrelson as Jeff Lowe

Over the course of the documentary, Lowe goes from Exotic's close associate to one of the men responsible for bringing him down. We'd love to see Harrelson's take on this larger-than-life pivotal character!

Image Source: Getty / Vittorio Zunino Celotto

David Harbour as Jeff Lowe

Stranger Things is all the evidence you need that Harbour is fantastic at playing characters who keep secrets and divided loyalties.

Image Source: Getty / Sylvain Gaboury

Michael Chiklis as Allen Glover

Chiklis's stoicism and cool demeanour would make him an interesting choice to play the small but important role of would-be hitman Glover.

Image Source: Getty / Jon Kopaloff

Chris Elliott as Erik Cowie

Anyone who's watched Schitt's Creek knows that Elliott has the off-the-wall chops (and the ability to rock a mullet) to portray a character like Cowie.

Image Source: Getty / Cindy Ord

Jon Heder as Erik Cowie

For a younger-looking Cowie, Heder's laid-back, scruffy vibe gives off just the right energy.

Image Source: Getty / Albert L. Ortega

Eric Stonestreet as James Garretson

No one would have guessed that Garretson would be the one to take down Exotic, and Stonestreet's unassuming charm would let him slip perfectly into the role.

Image Source: Getty / Tommaso Boddi

John C. Reilly as James Garretson

Reilly is a pro at playing underrated characters who are underestimated at your peril — Garretson would certainly be playing to type!

Image Source: Getty / Miikka Skaffari

Vicci Martinez as Kelci Saffery

The singer-songwriter proved her acting chops in her role as "Daddy" on Orange Is the New Black.

Roberta Colindrez as Kelci Saffery

You might recognise this actress from her roles on The Deuce and I Love Dick, among other quirky and indie projects.

Image Source: Getty / Araya Diaz