Why The Cast Of Someone Great Looks So Familiar

Someone Great is one of Netflix's best hidden gems (in other words, stop what you're doing, and go watch it; now!). Following the story of New York City-based music journalist Jenny, who upon learning she's landed her dream job on the other side of the country ends things with her long-term boyfriend of nine years, it's a modern rom-com, but not as you know it. Focusing on love, heartbreak, female friendship, and so much more, you'll laugh, cry, and totally relate to Jenny as she rallies her two best friends, Blair and Erin, for one final night of frivolity and fun before she relocates to San Francisco indefinitely. 

The perfect choice for a girls' night in, this movie is empowering, charming, and everything in between. But if you've already seen Someone Great (twice!), it's likely you recognized a few familiar faces, from lead Jenny, to her ex-boyfriend Nate. Here's where you may have seen the main cast of Someone Great before.

Gina Rodriguez, who plays lead Jenny in Someone Great, is also the star of Netflix's Jane the Virgin, which wrapped up in 2019 after five years. "Wow," Rodriguez wrote on Instagram. "We started shooting the first season of Jane in July 2014. A few days into shooting I turned 30 on set. Yesterday I turned 35. And today is the very last episodes, 99 and 100, airing of Jane the Virgin. Five years." 

According to iMDb, the actor won a Golden Globe for her role as Jane in 2016 and it's safe to say, it's her most notable gig to date. However, if you've never watch Jane the Virgin, you may actually recognize Rodriguez's face from Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Bold and the Beautiful, and Law & Order. And if it's her voice that sounds familiar, that's probably because you've heard it in Carmen Sandiego, Smallfoot, Big Mouth, or even Elena of Avalor.

DeWanda Wise, who plays Jenny's bestie Erin in Someone Great, is most recognizable from her role as artist Nola Darling in the Netflix comedy She's Gotta Have It, by renowned director Spike Lee. Describing the iconic character to Refinery29, Wise explained, "Nola just covers so much ground. There is obviously an element of strength and resilience and she has a certain edge that feels very Rihanna, but there is also something that's very like fancy free and carefree about her that feels more like Solange." One thing is for sure: she's up there as one of our favorite characters on the screen. 

If you haven't seen Wise as Nola in She's Gotta Have It, there's still a good chance you've seen her elsewhere. She boasts an impressive resume including appearances in episodes of Shots Fired, Underground, Sorta My Thing, The Mentalist, Boardwalk Empire, Law & Order, and The Good Wife (via iMDb).

Brittany Snow, who plays Jenny's best friend Blair, has been in so many shows and movies it's hard to keep up. Long-time fans will know her as Susan from Guiding Light, or Meg from American Dreams, but if you think you've seen her onscreen recently, it's most likely you've admired her in Pitch Perfect alongside Rebel Wilson and Anna Kendrick (via iMDb).

Snow also starred in Nip/Tuck, Law & Order, Hairspray, Gossip Girl, Call Me Crazy, Workaholics, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend — as we said, too many to count. Speaking about why she has chosen to accept work in so many different TV shows and movies, Snow told Brief Take, "I never want to be pigeonholed into just one thing. It's interesting that the most popular things that I've done all seem to be in the same category, but I try to do indie movies that I love in between the broader things."

LaKeith Stanfield, who plays Jenny's ex-boyfriend Nate, is best known for his role as Darius in Donald Glover's Atlanta. Dubbed "the coolest actor of 2018" by The Guardian, Stanfield has also made a name for himself, starring in Straight Outta Compton, Dope, Crown Heights, The Incredible Jessica James, Selma, Get Out, Sorry to Bother You, and Uncut Gems, among others (via iMDb). Speaking to The Face, Stanfield revealed he likes to change up his characters when choosing new work. ​"I'm trying to reach out and experience as much as I can, so I like to jump around, whatever I haven't touched before, a new experience," he admitted. 

However, it seems he also has a soft spot for romances like Someone Great. "I really want to do stuff like Marriage Story," he told Independent recently. Explaining why, he simply said, "I love love."