Summary
The 2024 romantic-comedy movieSpace Cadetfollows Emma Roberts as an unconventional hopeful astronaut with a hilarious supporting cast. The original Prime Video movie takes an interesting approach tothe space moviesubgenre through Roberts’ character and the rest of the astronaut candidates, comically referred to as “Ascans.” WhileSpace Cadetis certainly a comedy with romantic elements, it has an important message and a lot of heart behind it.Space Cadetcan make viewers laugh out loud and tear up in its nearly 2-hour runtime.
Space Cadetwas written and directed by Liz W. Garcia, who was once tasked with writing a draft ofPrincess Diaries 3. Garcia is also known for co-writing the popular 2022 Netflix romantic dramaPurple Hearts. Unlike that movie,Space Cadetfocuses far more on its comedy than the romance, with acharacter-driven story that helps it fit in with othercomedy movies directed by women, likeClueless. Much of what’s endearing aboutSpace Cadetcomes from the cast and their performances as their unique, memorable characters.
Emma Roberts As Rex Simpson
Date of Birth: July 17, 2025
Actor:American actor Emma Roberts, who comes from an acting family, debuted in 2001’sBlow, butgained recognition at 13 while starring in the Nickelodeon seriesUnfabulous. Roberts’ career hasn’t slowed down since, as she’s appeared in numerous films, many of which were romantic comedies, and television shows since. Roberts is perhaps now best known for her collaborations with Ryan Murphy intheAmerican Horror Storyanthology seriesand the comedy horror seriesScream Queens.
American Horror Story(2013-2024)
Various Characters
Character:Emma Roberts plays the lead character, Rex Simpson, inSpace Cadet, a woman from Florida in her early 30s who dreams of being an astronaut. Though Rex may not be traditionally qualified to go to space, she has the necessary smarts, passion, and drive.
Why Emma Roberts Left Harmony Korine’s Controversial Spring Breakers
Emma Roberts was cast in Spring Breakers and even had test screenings with Selena Gomez but she exited the movie before production. Here’s why.
Tom Hopper As Logan O’Leary
Date of Birth: July 17, 2025
Actor:English actor Tom Hopper was born in Leicestershire, England, and started to study acting as a teenager. After appearing onstage and having small onscreen roles,Tom Hopper had his breakthrough role as Sir Percival inMerlin. FollowingMerlin, Hopper starred in the American historical adventure seriesBlack Sailsand had a role inGame of Thrones. Hopper’s most notable role as of late has been asLuther Hargreeves in Netflix’sThe Umbrella Academy.
The Umbrella Academy(2019-2024)
Luther Hargreeves
Character:InSpace Cadet, Tom Hopper plays Logan O’Leary, Rex’s superior at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Logan is also Rex’s main romantic interest, as he is intrigued by her eccentric behavior typically unfitting for an astronaut.
Poppy Liu As Nadine Cai
Date of Birth: July 22, 2025
Actor:Actor Poppy Liu was born in Xi’an, China, and was raised between Minnesota and Shanghai. Liu began performing as a young child and, in 2018, had herfirst main onscreen role in the television showMercy Mistress.Liu has mainly worked in television, with multiple short films to her name as well. Liu’s projects are mostly comedic, such asHacks, but in 2023, Liu starred in the psychological thriller miniseriesDead Ringers.
iCarly(2021-2022)
Hacks(2021-)
Kiki
Character:Poppy Liu stars inSpace Cadetas Nadine Cai, Rex’s best friend who supports Rex’s dreams but wants her to be realistic. For better or worse, Nadie is instrumental in helping Rex succeed.
Emma Roberts & Poppy Liu Explain Why Space Cadet’s Quirky Comedy Comes At The Perfect Time
Space Cadet stars Emma Roberts and Poppy Liu discuss collaborating with the cast, director Liz W. Garcia, and the quirky comedy they each leaned into.
Kuhoo Verma As Violet Marie Vislawski
Date of Birth: June 01, 2025
Actor:American actorKuhoo Verma had her feature film debut in 2017’sThe Big Sick. She has starred in multiple short films since and appeared in two episodes of the 2019 miniseriesInsomnia. Verma is best known for co-starring inthe Hulu coming-of-age comedy filmPlan Bwith Victoria Moroles. The actor has also been featured in multiple episodes of the podcast seriesPlay on Podcasts.
Co-Star(2024)
Karli
Character:Kuhoo Verma plays Rex’s roommate and fellow Ascan inSpace Cadet, Violet Marie Vislawski. Violet Marie, or Vi as Rex calls her, struggles with her confidence and she and Rex find ways to help each other out.
Space Cadet Supporting Cast & Characters
Space Cadet Has A Strong Ensemble Cast
Gabrielle Union As Pam Proctor- Gabrielle Union is featured inSpace Cadetas Pam Proctor, a highly-respected NASA astronaut who helps run the astronaut training program.Union had her breakthrough role inBring It Onand has since starred inBad Boys II,Cadillac Records,Think Like a Man,L.A.’s Finest, andTruth Be Told.
Sam Robards As Calvin Simpson- Sam Robards plays Rex’s widowed father, Calvin Simpson, who runs a scam ghost encounter business. Robards began as a stage actor and received a Tony Award nomination for his work in the Broadway revival ofThe Man Who Had All the Luck. He has appeared onscreen inThe Tempest,Fandango,American Beauty,Gossip Girl,Twisted, andIsle of Hope.
Desi Lydic As Dr. Stacy Kellogg -Desi Lydic plays Dr. Stacy Kellogg, the most intense Ascan, who quickly becomes Rex’s rival. Lydic, an actor and comedian, previously starred inAwkward,Invasion, andThe Real Wedding Crashes, and is a senior correspondent onThe Daily Show.
Sebastián Yatra As Toddrick Spencer -Toddrick Spencer, Rex’s former classmate who started his own private space company, is played by Sebastián Yatra. Yatra is primarily known as a Grammy Award-nominated Colombian singer who also worked on the soundtracks ofA Man Called OttoandEncanto.
Encanto: All 8 Songs Ranked Worst To Best
Disney’s musical, Encanto, features eight songs written by Lin Manuel-Miranda. Here’s every song from the soundtrack, ranked from worst to best.
Dave Foley As Rudolph Bolton -Dave Foley joins theSpace Cadetsupporting cast as Rudolph Bolton, the head of the astronaut training program. The Canadian-American actor is also a stand-up comedian who co-founded The Kids in the Hall comedy group. Foley is best known forNewsRadio,A Bug’s Life,Dick,Monster’s University, andFargo.
Yasha Jackson As Grace Jackson -Yasha Jackson plays another Ascan, Grace Jackson, who boasts an impressive, secretive military background. Jackson has appeared inBlue BloodsandThe Flight Attendantand was featured in the romantic comedyThe Hating Game.
Andrew Call As Captain Jack Mancini -Andrew Call’s character inSpace Cadet, Ascan Captain Jack Mancini is nicknamed “Captain America” for his military background, patriotism, and looks. Call previously had roles inGrease Live!AndZ: The Beginning of Everythingand was nominated for a Helen Hayes Award for his performance inResident Musical.
Josephine Huang As Miriam Osprey -Josephine Huang plays Miriam Osprey inSpace Cadet, a quieter, somewhat unnerving Ascan. Huang, a first-generation Taiwanese-American actor-director, has guest-starred in numerous television shows, includingThe FollowingandRamy. She was also featured inCommon Ground - The Web Series.
Troy Iwata As Hector Kaneko -Troy Iwata rounds out the Ascan group as Hector Kaneko, a confident, sometimes conceited Ascan. Iwata’s most notable roles were in the 2020 Netflix seriesDash & Lilyandthe 2022 Apple TV+ miniseriesWeCrashed.
Tomás Matos As Johnny -One of Rex’s best friends inSpace Cadet, Johnny, is played by Tomás Matos. The “Fame” school graduate first gained attention for his performance in the 2022 Hulu romantic comedyFire Island. Motas also appeared in episodes ofFantasmas.
Fire Island’s Main Characters, Ranked By Likability
Hulu’s new gay romantic comedy Fire Island has complex characters who range from outright lovable to completely loathsome.
Fergie L. Philippe As Bingo -Fergie L. Phillipe plays Bingo, Nadine’s boyfriend and father of her baby inSpace Cadet. Philippe has previously appeared inHere on OutandThe Gilded Ageand has multiple Broadway credits.
Space Cadet
Cast
A young woman with no formal training unexpectedly finds herself in a space program after a series of fortunate events. As she navigates rigorous training and high-stakes challenges, she must prove her capabilities to skeptical teammates and instructors.
