The Dig Cast, Character & Real-Life Comparison Guide (2024)

Now streaming on Netflix, The Dig is based on real-life people, whose actual lives can differ from the movie itself.The 2021 film takes place in 1939 England, and follows characters who worry about animpending war but focus on a homeland excavation project. The Dig is fundamentally about an archaeological expedition atSutton Hoo, but the subtext reveals much about the main protagonists' humanity and how they bond while pursuing a shared goal.

The Dig was inspired bythe eponymous 2007 novel by John Preston, whose aunt participated in the Sutton Hoo excavation. The storyline centers on the work ofEdith Pretty and Basil Brown, and how theirunorthodoxarchaeological missionforeverchanged historians' perception ofAnglo-Saxon life during the 6th century. The Dig was adapted for Netflix byMoira Buffini.

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The main cast ofThe Dighas undeniably commercial appeal, with two notablestars in the primary roles. However, audiences shouldn't necessarily expect big Hollywoodperformances, but rather a low-key and emotional tale about hopes and fears in 1939 Suffolk, just as the world is about to change as a result of the events of World War II. The Dig likely won't be ahuge streaming hit, but it's a powerful film that feels like it could be a 10-part series.Here's a cast guide for Simon Stone's 2021 Netflix film.

Carey Mulligan As Edith Pretty

Carey Mulligan stars as Edith Pretty, a widow who finances a historical excavation on her property in 1939 Suffolk, England. In The Dig, Edith is presented as a relatively young woman, when in fact she was approximately 56 years old in 1939.

Mulligan earned an Oscar nomination for portraying Jenny Mellor in An Education. She also starred asIrene in Drive, Jean in Inside Llewyn Davis, and Cassie Thomas in the 2020 hitPromising Young Woman.

Ralph Fiennes As Basil Brown

Ralph Fiennes co-stars as Basil Brown, an amateur excavatorwhoselegacy is threatened by professional archaeologists. In real life, Brown was also an astronomer, a detail that isn't fully explored in the Netflix film, thoughFiennes' character does state that"We're part of something continuous."

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Fiennes earned Oscar nominations for portrayingAmon Goeth in Schindler's List andAlmásy in The English Patient. Harry Potter fans may know him asLord Voldemort, while James Bond enthusiasts may already know that Fiennes willappear as M in No Time to Die.

Lily James As Peggy Preston

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Lily James portrays Peggy Preston,a marriedarchaeologist. Due to the lack of romance in her life, she invests time in a friendship with Edith's cousin. In real life, Peggy had acareer that spanned six decades.

James starred as Cinderella in the 2015 film of the same name, and starred asElizabeth Bennet inPride and Prejudice and Zombies. She also appeared as Debora in Baby Driver and headlined the 2020 Rebecca remake asMrs. de Winter.

Ben Chaplin As Stuart Piggott

Ben Chaplin portrays Stuart Piggott, an archaeologist who shows little romantic interest in his wife, Peggy. In real life, Piggott remained married for nearly two decades after the events of The Dig, but the Netflix film suggests that his union had little passion.

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Ben Chaplin portrayed Private Bell inThe Thin Red Line and Sam Kennedy in Murder by Numbers. He recently appeared asThe Black Knight in The Letter for the King.

Ken Stott As Charles Phillips

Ken Stott appears as Charles Phillips, an archaeologist from the British Museum who diminishes Basil's work.The real Phillips hadn't yet reached his 40th birthday when the Sutton Hoo excavation took place in 1939, however, the Netflix film presents him as a cantankerous old man.

In pop culture, Stott is best known for portraying Balin inThe Hobbit trilogy. He recently appearedas Professor Wade in the 2020 seriesDevils.

The Dig Supporting Cast

Johnny Flynn as Rory Lomax (Above):Edith's cousin, a photographer who forms a bond with Peggy.Johnny Flynn portrayedChristopher Giles in Clouds of Sils Maria andPascal Renouf in Beast. He also starred as Young Albert Einstein in Genius and Mr. Knightly in the 2020 feature Emma.

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Archie Barnes as Robert Pretty:Edith's son who is interested in astrology (a character trait that seems to have been inspired by the real-life Basil Brown).Archie Barnes portrayed Zachary inPatrick the Pug.

Monica Dolan as May Brown:Basil's wife.Monica Dolan portrayed Janice in Sightseers,Miss Martha Alvaro in The Falling, andMrs. Peggy O'Dowd in Vanity Fair.

Robert Wilfort as Billy Lyons:Edith's chauffeur.Robert Wilfort portrayed Tom in Skins,Jason West in Gavin & Stacey, andBob Cratchit in Dickensian. He recently had a small role in Cursed.

Ellie Piercy as Mrs. Lyons:Billy's wife.Ellie Piercy portrayed Sandrine inMcMafia andBethany McGovern in Hanna season 2. She also appeared as a receptionist inBlack Mirror: Bandersnatch.

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Danny Webb asJohn Grateley:The Lyons' butler.Danny Webb appeared asMorse inAlien³ andCaptain Haans in Valkyrie. He recently portrayed John Ripper in Pennyworth season 1.

Joe Hurst as Josh Jacobs:An archaeologist who finds the first rivet.Joe Hurst portrayedThomas Evans in The Terror season 1 and Tom Richards in Wanderlust. He recently appeared as Jacob in Industry season 1.

Paul Ready as James Reid Moore:A museum man who requests that Basil leave Edith's "minor venture." Paul Ready portrayedHenry Goodsir in The Terror season 1 and Kevin in Motherland.

Peter McDonald as Guy Maynard:A museum curator.Peter McDonald portrayedBrother Trew in The Last Kingdom season 2 andJonathan Devlin in Dublin Murders.

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Eamon Farren as John Brailsford:Piggott's colleague.Eamon Farren portrayed Alex inLingua Franca and Cahir in The Witcher season 1.

James Dryden as George Spooner:James Dryden portrayed an oology expert in Ready Player One and a customs officer inFast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw.

Bronwyn James as Ellen McKenzie:Bronwyn James appeared asFanny Lambert in Harlots and Mac atThe End of the F***ing World season 2.

John Macmillan as Dr. Rothman:John Macmillan portrayed Ronald in Chewing Gum and Edmund in King Lear.

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Arsher Ali as William Grimes:Arsher Ali appeared as Hari in Line of Duty and Phil in the 2017 Netflix film The Ritual.

The Dig released in January 2021 on Netflix.

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