Insecure cast guide: Who’s who in the HBO comedy series?

If you’ve been looking for a reason to watch Insecure on Netflix (or a reason to re-binge the title), then you’ve come to the right place because we’re here to do some major convincing.

First and foremost, the comedy in this show is serious a sight to behold. The jokes are always right on time and the characters’ humor just rubs off on one another really well. Secondly, the visual and audio aesthetics of the show are well done, causing you to marvel at the various California locations and local California musical artists.

Above all, however, we believe the Insecure cast is the best reason to catch this title on Netflix!

Insecure cast and characters

What we love most about Insecure is the stellar cast full of actors and actresses who you definitely know and love. What’s more, it’s not often we see so many talented African-American stars in one show, which is why we think it’s time to remind veteran watchers of Insecure as well as inform new fans of this show just who makes up the ensemble of this HBO title.

Without further ado, here’s who’s who in the Insecure cast!

Issa Rae as Issa Dee

Issa Rae stars as our awkward but relatable protagonist, Issa Dee. Dee is someone who may not always know what she’s doing, as she is simply making the best of whatever life throws at her. Even so, she somehow always ends up on top, making it hard to not root for her.

As for Rae, she’s our iconic, hilarious African-American actress who we can’t get enough of. Seriously, who isn’t a fan of this beauty?!

Here’s more on Issa Rae!

• Age: 38 – January 12, 1985
• Hometown: Los Angeles, California
• Instagram: @issarae
• Notable Projects:
  • The Hate U Give (2018) as April Ofrah
  • The Photograph (2020) as Mae Morton
  • Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023) as Jessica Drew
  • Barbie (2023) as Barbie

Yvonne Orji as Molly Carter

Yvonne Orji plays Issa Dee’s best friend through thick and thin, Molly. Molly is Issa Dee’s opposite, in that she’s well put together and is nearly allergic to not paying her bills and looking absolutely dashing. But where she thrives in her career, she sadly fails in her strings of hook-ups. Thankfully, she always has her coin to depend on!

Orji is yet another stunning woman who wears success very well. She’s an inspiration to many, a great comedian, and, just like her Insecure character, is a fashionista we wouldn’t mind sharing a closet with.

• Age: 39 – December 2, 1983
• Hometown:  Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria
• Instagram: @yvonneorji
• Notable Projects:
  • Night School (2018) as Maya
  • Vacation Friends (2021) as Emily Conway-Parker
  • The Blackening (2022) as Morgan
  • My Dad the Bounty Hunter (2023) as Tess

Jay Ellis as Martin Lawrence Walker

Jay Ellis is Lawrence Walker, a character who was very unlikeable at the beginning of the HBO original series due to his lack of ambition and leech-like behavior. However, over time, he finally got his life sorted out, making us appreciate his determination to become the best version of himself. Still, he definitely has a lot to learn!

Ellis is our tall, handsome star we can’t help but be super proud of how far he’s come. From his early days on BET to starring alongside Tom Cruise in Top Gun: Maverick, his journey is certainly one for the books.

• Age: 41 – December 27, 1981
• Hometown: Sumter, South Carolina
• Instagram: @jayrellis 
• Notable Projects:
  • The Game (2013) as Bryce “Blueprint” Westbrook
  • Escape Room (2019) as Jason Walker
  • Somebody I Used to Know (2023) as Sean
  • History of the World, Part II (2023) as Jesus Christ

Natasha Rothwell as Kelli Prenny

Natasha Rothwell playing Kelli Prenny definitely showcases her comedic talent because there was never a moment where we weren’t laughing our butts off at this character’s wild antics and even wilder statements. Kelli knows how to make light of a heavy situation, which comes in handy when things are looking grim Issa Dee and the rest of our Insecure girl group.

Between her work as a writer for Saturday Night Live and her many roles in comedy titles, it doesn’t come as a surprise to us that Rothwell has a knack for making

• Age: 42 – October 18, 1980
• Hometown: Wichita, Kansas
• Instagram: @natasharothwell
• Notable Projects:
  • Love, Simon (2018) as Ms. Albright
  • DuckTales (2018) as Zan Owlson
  • Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) as Rachel
  • The White Lotus (2021) as Belinda

Amanda Seales as Tiffany DuBois

Amanda Seales stars as Tiffany DuBois, the fourth and final character that makes up Insecure‘s fab four (Issa, Molly, and Kelli). Tiffany can come off as a stuck-up to many since she says whatever’s on her mind without carrying about what anyone thinks. But, like every human being, there’s a softer side to her that we’ve come to appreciate.

Seales knows how to make all of California laugh until they cry, as she performs numerous stand-up comedy shows all around the world. She’s well-known for being herself and being unapologetically outspoken.

• Age: 42 – July 1, 1981
• Hometown: Inglewood, California
• Instagram: @amandaseales
• Notable Projects:
  • Cop and a Half (1993) as Katy
  • My Brother and Me (1994) as Deon Wilburn
  • Ladies Book Club (2016) as Helena
  • Black-ish (2018) as Barbara

Kendrick Sampson as Nathan Campbell

Kendrick Sampson was always a delight to see on our screens because his character, Nathan Campbell, was incredibly vulnerable with us towards the end of the series. He opened up about his mental issues, which not only made us understand his behavior even more but appreciate his willingness to be honest about his struggles. (We love a character with depth!)

Sampson is another actor who’s been with us for quite some time! He had early beginnings in titles like Greek and Days of Our Lives and now stars in titles like Supernatural and The Flash. He’s a star we’ll never grow tired of seeing!

• Age: 35 –  March 8, 1988
• Hometown: Houston, Texas
• Instagram: @kendrick38
• Notable Projects:
  • The Vampire Diaries (2013) as Jesse
  • How to Get Away with Murder (2015) as Caleb Hapstall
  • Something from Tiffany’s (2022) as Ethan Greene
  • I’m a Virgo (2023) as Edwin Garrison

In addition to all of these wonderful stars, here are even more amazing recurring cast members that you’ll see in Insecure:

• Jean Elie as Ahmal Dee
• Christina Elmore as Condola Hayes
• Alexander Hodge as Andrew Tan
• Sarunas J. Jackson as Alejandro ‘Dro’ Peña
• Lisa Joyce as Frieda
• Y’lan Noel as Daniel King
• Leonard Robinson as Taurean Jackson
• Norman Towns as Bennett

Now that you know all about the cast and characters of Insecure, head to Netflix to stream every single season of the critically acclaimed HBO title.