The Apes Have Risen: A Deep Dive Into The Star-Studded Cast Of Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes And Their Shocking Character Secrets

The *Planet of the Apes* franchise has roared back to life, ushering in a new era with *Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes*, a film set centuries after the reign of Caesar. Released in 2024, this highly anticipated fourth installment of the reboot series introduces a fresh, talented ensemble cast tasked with continuing the epic saga of a world where apes dominate and humanity struggles to survive. This article, updated in December 2025, provides a deep dive into the actors who brought these complex, motion-captured characters to life, revealing behind-the-scenes secrets, their extensive training, and the shocking details of the new Ape society they inhabit.

The film, directed by Wes Ball (known for *The Maze Runner* trilogy), is a significant undertaking, requiring its stars to master the intricate art of performance capture, a demanding process that turns human actors into believable, emotionally resonant apes. The casting choices blend rising stars with seasoned Hollywood veterans, ensuring both a fresh perspective and a solid foundation of acting excellence.

The Main Cast: New Heroes, Ruthless Villains, and the Last Humans

The core of *Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes* revolves around a handful of pivotal characters—one young ape protagonist, a ruthless new leader, and a mysterious human woman. Their intertwined destinies drive the narrative in a post-Caesar world.

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Owen Teague as Noa (The Protagonist)

Biography & Profile:

• Full Name: Owen William Teague
• Born: December 8, 1998 (27 years old as of December 2025)
• Nationality: American
• Notable Roles: Patrick Hockstetter in *It* (2017) and *It Chapter Two* (2019), Nolan Rayburn in *Bloodline*, and a role in *The Stand*.
• Role in *Kingdom*: Noa, a young chimpanzee hunter who is the heir to his falconry ape clan. He is the new central ape hero.

Character & Preparation Deep Dive: Teague's performance as Noa is central to the film. To prepare for the demanding motion-capture role, the actor underwent intense training, which he famously dubbed "Ape School." This preparation included visiting the Center for Great Apes in Florida to observe chimpanzees and orangutans firsthand, immersing himself in their mannerisms and movement. Teague even joked about needing "human school" afterward to shed the ape-like posture he adopted. His consultation with motion-capture legend Andy Serkis, who played the original Caesar, was instrumental in defining his character's physical language.

Freya Allan as Mae (The Human Catalyst)

Biography & Profile:

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• Full Name: Freya Allan
• Born: September 6, 2001 (24 years old as of December 2025)
• Nationality: English
• Notable Roles: Princess Cirilla "Ciri" of Cintra in the Netflix series *The Witcher*, and appearances in *Into the Badlands*.
• Role in *Kingdom*: Mae, a young woman who is hunted by apes but eventually joins Noa on his journey. She is a central focus and carries her own hidden agenda.

Character & Role Deep Dive: Mae is one of the few humans capable of speech in this new world, making her a vital and highly sought-after figure. Her character is a crucial bridge between the evolved ape society and the scattered remnants of humanity. Allan, a rising star, described the role as a unique challenge, often acting alone or in scenes dominated by motion-capture artists, requiring her to ground the emotional reality of the story.

Kevin Durand as Proximus Caesar (The Antagonist)

Biography & Profile:

• Full Name: Kevin Serge Durand
• Born: January 14, 1974
• Nationality: Canadian
• Notable Roles: Martin Keamy in *Lost*, Fred Dukes / The Blob in *X-Men Origins: Wolverine*, and Vasiliy Fet in *The Strain*.
• Role in *Kingdom*: Proximus Caesar, an ambitious, ruthless, and highly evolved chimpanzee who has crowned himself king, twisting Caesar's original teachings for his own power.

Character & Role Deep Dive: Proximus Caesar is the new, self-proclaimed ruler of the ape world. He leads a tribe that seeks to uncover and exploit the secrets of the "old world" (human civilization). Actor Kevin Durand revealed that he views his character not as a straightforward villain, but as a leader trying to "save Apedom" in his own tyrannical way. Interestingly, the character's persona and ambition were unexpectedly likened to tech mogul Elon Musk by the production team, giving him a contemporary, complex villainous edge. Proximus Caesar is an evolved bonobo ape, adding a new species to the leadership dynamic.

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The Supporting Pillars of Ape and Human Society

The film's depth is amplified by a strong supporting cast, featuring veteran actors and talented newcomers who embody the different facets of the new world order.

William H. Macy as Trevathan

Character Deep Dive: The legendary Oscar-nominated actor William H. Macy plays Trevathan, an opportunistic and educated human who is in the service of Proximus Caesar. Trevathan acts as a key advisor, teaching the ape king about the forgotten history and technology of the former human world. His presence highlights the complex power shift, where a brilliant human is reduced to serving an ape ruler. Macy is best known for his roles in classics like *Fargo* and the TV series *Shameless*.

Peter Macon as Raka

Character Deep Dive: Peter Macon, widely recognized for his role as Lt. Commander Bortus in *The Orville*, plays the wise orangutan Raka. Raka serves as a crucial moral compass in the film, standing in the gap between the ruthless new regime and the memory of Caesar's original teachings. Macon's character embodies the lost principles of peace and coexistence, acting as a mentor figure to Noa.

The New Generation of Apes: Soona and Anaya

Noa's journey is supported by two fellow young chimpanzees, who also underwent the rigorous "Ape School" training:

• Lydia Peckham as Soona: Soona is portrayed as a kind, playful, and wise young chimpanzee, a close friend and confidante to Noa. New Zealand actress Lydia Peckham secured the role after submitting a self-filmed audition tape.
• Travis Jeffery as Anaya: Anaya is another evolved ape and friend of Noa. Australian actor Travis Jeffery also discussed the invaluable advice he received from Andy Serkis regarding the motion-capture process, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the performance capture.

Additional Key Entities and Production Details

The success of *Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes* is a testament to the entire creative team and the advanced technology used to tell the story.

• Director: Wes Ball is the visionary behind this new chapter, known for his work in creating large-scale dystopian worlds.
• Dichen Lachman as Korina: The Australian actress, known for *Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.*, plays Korina, a key character whose role is integral to the new ape and human dynamic.
• Sara Wiseman as Dar: New Zealand actress Sara Wiseman takes on the motion-capture role of Dar, further expanding the diverse cast of evolved apes.
• Josh Friedman: The film's screenplay was written by Josh Friedman.
• The Setting: The story is set approximately 300 years after the events of *War for the Planet of the Apes*, establishing a new timeline and a fully evolved ape civilization.
• Production Studio: This is the first *Planet of the Apes* film released under 20th Century Studios since the acquisition by Disney.
• Technology: The film heavily relies on motion-capture technology (Mo-Cap) to translate the actors' nuanced human performances into believable, emotional ape characters.

The extensive and dedicated cast of *Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes*, from the lead ape Noa to the human advisor Trevathan, demonstrates a commitment to both performance capture excellence and compelling storytelling. The film not only honors the legacy of Caesar but also boldly launches a new, complex narrative that promises to explore the future of the planet's dominant species.