Starring Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore, May December will be released in select theaters on Nov. 17 and streams on Netflix in the U.S. and Canada on Dec. 1. The film will have its North American premiere on the opening night of the 61st New York Film Festival on September 29, with director Todd Haynes in attendance.
In May December, popular television actor Elizabeth (Natalie Portman) heads to Savannah, Georgia, to research a part in a new film that follows a scandalous tabloid romance. That love affair — between Gracie (Julianne Moore) and Joe (Charles Melton) — was once a fixture of the gossip pages. After all, Joe is significantly younger than Gracie, who served time in prison when they were caught together. When she was released, the pair were married, and they now have three children together who are about to graduate from high school. At first glance, their untraditional marriage looks more predictable than Elizabeth expected. But soon, her observation brings long-dormant feelings to the surface, and the decades-old scandal reveals deeper and deeper layers.
Now, you can meet the cast of characters below.
The Cast of ‘May December’
- Natalie Portman as Elizabeth Berry
- Julianne Moore as Gracie Atherton-Yoo
- Charles Melton as Joe Yoo
- D. W. Moffett as Tom
- Piper Curda as Honor
- Elizabeth Yu as Mary
- Gabriel Chung as Charlie
- Cory Michael Smith
- Lawrence Arancio
‘May December’ Character Guide
Natalie Portman as Elizabeth Berry
Elizabeth Berry
Elizabeth is a talented young actress who heads to Savannah to study Gracie and Joe’s family life as she prepares to play the former in an independent film about their scandalous love affair. At first, Elizabeth appears curious and nonjudgmental; she is genuine in her desire to learn more about Gracie and Joe’s relationship. But her motivations become questionable at times, as her participation in the family’s day-to-day begins to unravel their lives.
Natalie Portman is an Oscar-winning actress known for her incredible range. She’s done everything from period pieces like The Other Boleyn Girl to thrilling dramas like Black Swan and romantic comedies such as No Strings Attached, making her a perfect fit to dive into the complex performance of Elizabeth.
Julianne Moore as Gracie Atherton-Yoo
Gracie Atherton-Yoo
Twenty years after she went to prison for what she claimed was a love affair with a 13-year-old boy — now her husband, Joe (Melton) — Gracie remains steadfast and loyal to the life they’ve built together. Still, Gracie has something brewing beneath the surface. She is not as put together as she appears and wants to feel in control of her life. Throughout the duration of Elizabeth’s visit with the family, Gracie’s façade — and the reality she lives in — begins to crack, as it becomes clear how fragile she really is.
Charles Melton as Joe Yoo
Joe Yoo
Joe is Gracie’s quiet and boyish 36-year-old husband. The pair have three kids together, and they are preparing to become empty nesters. Joe seems to go with the flow, afraid to take control of his life. But when Elizabeth visits with the family to learn more about Gracie, he begins to question his marriage and the life they built together. For the first time since he met Gracie, Joe seems to consider whether the life he has is the one he really wants for himself.
