By Dexerto | Created at 2025-03-12 05:42:04 | Updated at 2025-03-12 12:03:10
6 hours ago
The legendary Hideo Kojima is returning to Death Stranding with a second outing set to explore a wide range of new locations and of course, include plenty of wacky new characters. Here’s a comprehensive look ahead at every actor and their character set to be featured in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
Six years on from the release of Death Stranding, Kojima’s seminal work has only gone on to become more popular and more beloved, not to mention more prophetic. The acclaimed developer is now following up on his ‘strand-type game’ with On the Beach set to hit store shelves on June 26, 2025.
The sequel aims to expand on the unique gameplay structure while also pushing the narrative forward after the many shocking twists and turns of the original’s lengthy conclusion. Naturally, this new chapter in the story is set to feature a number of returning characters alongside a mix of new additions to the cast.
From Mad Max creator George Miller to A Complete Unknown’s Elle Fanning, plenty of big names are getting involved. We’ve put together a comprehensive list of every character confirmed for Death Stranding 2.
Sam Porter Bridges – Norman Reedus
Kojima ProductionsWhat would a sequel be without its protagonist? Norman Reedus keeps on keeping on as Sam Porter Bridges returns for another round of deliveries.
Set a decent stretch after the events of the first game, Sam is still out in the wilds connecting towns, building roads, and avoiding knee-deep water at all costs. But this time around, he’s got Lou to keep safe, as our tearful BB has grown up a little since we last saw them.
Fragile – Léa Seydoux
Kojima ProductionsShe’s Fragile, but she’s not that Fragile. Léa Seydoux is back in the lead role once again, seemingly a proper companion of Sam’s throughout the sequel, even caring for Lou when he’s unable.
Higgs Monaghan – Troy Baker
Kojima ProductionsBrought back to life with an electric guitar at his hip, Troy Baker assumes the role of Higgs Monaghan once more in Death Stranding 2. The main antagonist looks to be as devilish as ever, seemingly controlling much of the game’s new AI-driven faction that’s largely helped to automate deliveries.
Heartman – Nicolas Winding Refn (Performance by Darren Jacobs)
Kojima ProductionsDrive director Nicolas Winding Refn is one of Kojima’s closest friends, so of course, he’s reprising his role as Heartman once again in this new chapter. While it’s unclear just how big of a role he may have this time around, the March 2025 trailer revealed Heartman’s role in helping control a colossal tar monster, so he may just be more vital to Sam’s journey than ever before.
Tarman – George Miller (Performance by Marty Rhone)
Kojima ProductionsAn outspoken fan of the Mad Max franchise, Kojima has cast his one true God in Death Stranding 2. That’s right, George Miller himself, at least his likeness and his voice, is present in the sequel, and his character, aptly named Tarman, even shares a similarity with Furiosa, in that he’s missing an arm.
Tomorrow – Elle Fanning
Kojima Productions“Tomorrow is in your hands” served as the tagline throughout much of DS1’s promotional material. Thus, plenty of theories have been surfacing of late, pointing to the idea that Elle Fanning’s character could actually be Lou (BB) all grown up. Of course, that’s just speculation for now though, as details surrounding her involvement in the game have largely been kept under wraps.
This marks Fanning’s first major role in a video game, coming off the back of a breakout performance in the Oscar-nominated ‘A Complete Unknown.’ She’s also appeared in the likes of Maleficent, Super 8, and even Nicolas Winding Refn’s The Neon Demon.
Neil – Luca Marinelli
Kojima ProductionsAs revealed in DS2’s March 2025 trailer, Luca Marinelli joins the franchise as Neil, an “important” figure that effectively “replaces” Mads Mikkelsen as Cliff in DS1, as Kojima himself explained.
Neil is a smuggler, responsible for taking goods across the border between Mexico and the United States. Struggling to cope with the mental toll of his work, Neil begins seeing Lucy, a psychologist. He soon falls in love with her, and as fate would have it, Lucy is played by Luca’s actual wife, Alissa Jung.
Luca, admittedly a lifelong fan of Kojima’s, rose to TV stardom with The Old Guard on Netflix, but has appeared in plenty of Italian productions over the years, including Diabolik, The Eight Mountains, and many others.
Lucy – Alissa Jung
Kojima ProductionsAlissa Jung brings Lucy to life in Death Stranding 2, serving as not only a psychologist for Neil, but as his romantic interest too. As early footage has revealed, we know to expect a great deal of tension between the couple, especially after Lucy falls pregnant.
Rainy – Shioli Kutsuna
Kojima ProductionsNo details have emerged on this particular character just yet. In typical Kojima fashion, the character first appears outside in the rain, so therefore, her name is Rainy.
Kutsuna is best known for her role as the ever-charming Yukio in Marvel’s Deadpool series.
Dollman – Faith Akin (Performance by Jonathon Roumie)
Kojima ProductionsKojima’s love of film spills over into his games once again with Dollman, as Turkish-German film director Faith Akin lends his voice and his appearance to the stop-motion figure.
Undoubtedly the wackiest character we’ve seen in DS2 so far, Dollman looks to be accompanying Sam on his many travels, informing him of nearby dangers or filling us all in on crucial lore.
Doctor – Debra Wilson
Kojima ProductionsIn an incredibly brief snippet, Debra Wilson was revealed to have joined the Death Stranding 2 cast, known simply as ‘Doctor.’
While we haven’t yet heard her speak, nor do we know anything of significance about her role, Wilson has long been royalty in the gaming space, lending her voice and appearance to dozens of high-profile games like the Star Wars Jedi series.
Ma Dong-seok – Prepper
Kojima ProductionsSouth Korean action legend Ma Dong-seok is confirmed to be one of the many preppers Sam can find throughout Death Stranding 2. Much like how Conan O’Brien and Geoff Keighley served as hidden preppers out in the wilds of Edge Knot City in the first game, DS2 is clearly set to feature a number of popular figures in cameo roles again.
That’s the full list of actors and characters confirmed for Death Stranding 2 at the time of writing. Though with a few months left before the game is in our hands, we’ll be sure to update you here as any further details are revealed.
