Frankenstein Cast: Who Plays Who in Del Toro’s New Adaptation

Nivedita Dubey
November 14, 2025

Summary:

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein features a star-heavy ensemble led by Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Mia Goth.
Several roles differ from Mary Shelley’s original characters to fit del Toro’s interpretation.
The cast pulls from major franchises like Star Wars, Game of Thrones, and Harry Potter.

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein arrives with a cast stacked with award winners, franchise regulars, and familiar faces from prestige TV. Adaptations of Mary Shelley’s classic have been attempted for over a century, but del Toro’s version leans on a carefully chosen ensemble to bring emotional depth and gothic scale to the story. Here’s a breakdown of every major character and the actor behind them.

Who Are the Main Frankenstein Cast Members in Del Toro’s Adaptation?

Frankenstein _ Guillermo del Toro _ Official Trailer _ Netflix

Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein

Victor Frankenstein is the ambitious scientist whose pursuit of reanimation triggers the events of the story. In del Toro’s version, Victor is a “depressed dreamer” driven by grief, obsession, and a need to defy mortality. His experiments push him further away from the people he loves, ultimately shaping him into the flawed creator audiences know.

Oscar Isaac brings considerable range to the role. You may know him as:

Poe Dameron in the Star Wars sequel trilogy
Steven Grant/Marc Spector in Moon Knight
The lead in Ex Machina, Annihilation, and Dune
The title character of Inside Llewyn Davis
A Golden Globe winner for Show Me A Hero
Hamlet in an upcoming stage-to-screen documentary

Isaac’s experience with intimate dramas and large-scale genre projects makes him a natural fit for the tortured scientist at the center of Frankenstein.

Jacob Elordi as the Creature

The Creature—often mistakenly called “Frankenstein”—is assembled from the remains of multiple people and becomes the tragic spine of the story. Del Toro’s version follows the Creature through self-discovery, learning, and flashes of violence, sticking closely to the emotional arc outlined in Mary Shelley’s novel.

Jacob Elordi takes on the role after a streak of high-profile performances, including:

Nate Jacobs in Euphoria
Elvis Presley in Priscilla
Felix in Saltburn
Roles in The Kissing Booth series
A leading role in an upcoming Wuthering Heights adaptation

Elordi’s mix of physical presence and vulnerability plays directly into del Toro’s interpretation of the Creature as both intimidating and empathetic.

Mia Goth as Elizabeth & Claire Frankenstein

Mia Goth plays dual roles: Elizabeth, Victor’s brother William’s fiancée—and later, Victor’s romantic partner—and Claire, the deceased mother of the Frankenstein family.

Del Toro shifts Elizabeth from childhood companion to William’s fiancée, creating a different relationship dynamic while keeping her central to Victor’s emotional arc. Her fondness for bugs adds a small but memorable character detail unique to this adaptation.

Goth’s growing reputation as a modern horror standout includes:

Pearl, X, and MaXXXine
Suspiria
A Cure for Wellness
Emma.

Her natural fit in gothic and psychological roles makes her an intuitive choice for del Toro’s aesthetic.

Which Supporting Actors Complete the Frankenstein Cast?

Christoph Waltz as Henrich Harlander

Henrich Harlander is a wealthy benefactor with his own interest in reanimation. This character doesn’t appear in Shelley’s original text; he’s created for the film to expand the thematic scope of Victor’s scientific world.

Christoph Waltz’s résumé includes:

Two Academy Award–winning performances in Inglourious Basterds and Django Unchained
Villainous turns in Spectre and No Time To Die
A recent role in Only Murders in the Building

He brings a sharp, calculated energy to Harlander—exactly the type of presence a story about scientific ambition thrives on.

Felix Kammerer as William Frankenstein

Victor’s younger brother William receives a larger and older portrayal than in the book. Del Toro combines certain traits from Henry Clerval, Victor’s best friend in the novel, to reshape William into a more active character.

Felix Kammerer previously starred in:

All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)
All the Light We Cannot See

His appearance in Frankenstein marks a break from wartime roles, giving him a chance to explore a more intimate family drama.

Charles Dance as Leopold Frankenstein

As Victor’s father, Leopold Frankenstein is depicted as a rigid, abusive figure who values scientific achievement more than emotional connection. His harsh parenting shapes Victor’s attitudes toward life and loss.

Charles Dance is well-known for roles such as:

Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones
Characters in The Crown and Bleak House
Film roles in Gosford Park and The Imitation Game

His authoritative, cold presence aligns perfectly with Leopold’s role in the narrative.

David Bradley as the Blind Man

In one of the story’s most iconic chapters, the Creature finds a Blind Man living in the woods who treats him with compassion. This encounter becomes a turning point, teaching the Creature how to read and trust others—at least briefly.

David Bradley is widely recognized for:

Argus Filch in the Harry Potter films
Walder Frey in Game of Thrones
Voice roles in del Toro’s Pinocchio and The Strain

His history with del Toro and ability to portray poignant warmth make him an ideal choice.

Lauren Collins as the Hunter’s Wife

The Blind Man’s home includes a hunter, his wife, and their daughter. They initially mistake the Creature for a benevolent forest spirit due to his unseen attempts to help them.

Lauren Collins is best known to many viewers as:

Paige Michalchuk from Degrassi: The Next Generation

She’s also appeared in:

Life with Derek
Kroll Show

Her role may be small but adds emotional weight to the Creature’s brief connection with human kindness.

Lars Mikkelsen as Captain Anderson

Victor and the Creature recount their intertwined stories to Captain Anderson after being found in harsh Arctic conditions. His drive and ambition mirror Victor’s own intensity, making him a subtle reflection of the narrative’s themes.

Lars Mikkelsen has starred in:

House of Cards
The Witcher
The Killing
Ahsoka as Grand Admiral Thrawn

His cool, commanding energy fits the tone of the final act.

Ralph Ineson as Professor Krempe

Professor Krempe is one of Victor’s instructors who disapproves of his research. This character originates from the novel, though del Toro shifts the context of Victor’s academic disputes.

Ralph Ineson is known for:

Galactus in The Fantastic Four: The First Steps
The Witch
The Green Knight
HBO’s Chernobyl
Award-nominated voice work in Final Fantasy XIV

His distinctive voice and presence make him a memorable part of the academic world Victor leaves behind.

How Does Del Toro’s Frankenstein Cast Differ From Mary Shelley’s Original Characters?

Frankenstein Guillermo del Toro Official Trailer Netflix 2 — Frankenstein _ Guillermo del Toro _ Official Trailer _ Netflix

Del Toro generally stays faithful to Shelley’s emotional and thematic framework but makes a few strategic changes.

1. Elizabeth’s role shifts

Rather than being Victor’s childhood friend, Elizabeth is reimagined as William’s fiancée. This shift alters the emotional stakes and redirects the family dynamics without removing her importance to Victor’s arc.

2. New characters expand the world

Henrich Harlander doesn’t exist in the novel but provides a way to explore motivations behind reanimation and the philosophical implications of Victor’s work.

3. William is aged up

The younger brother becomes a more active, multidimensional character, taking on aspects of Henry Clerval’s personality.

4. Claire Frankenstein is added

The mother of the Frankenstein family, also played by Mia Goth, doesn’t appear in the book in this form. Including her highlights the story’s themes of grief and loss.

These adjustments all serve to deepen del Toro’s interpretation while keeping the novel’s core intact.