Poison cast: Who’s in the Netflix’s Roald Dahl shorts?

Netflix has released a series of Roald Dahl short films, bringing the timeless tales of this beloved children’s author to life on the streaming platform. Directed by the visionary Wes Anderson, these adaptations offer a fresh perspective on Dahl’s enchanting stories. Poison is just one of these thought-provoking and whimsical shorts, boasting a stellar A-list cast!

Released on September 30, 2023, Poison tells the captivating story of an Englishman who, while in India, discovers a venomous snake has slithered into his bed. The official synopsis, as per IMDb, reads:

"“When a poisonous snake slithers onto an Englishman’s stomach in India, his associate and a doctor race to save him.”"

With a runtime of just 17 minutes, Poison may seem deceptively simple. However, Wes Anderson’s unique cinematic style transforms this adaptation into a profound exploration of serious issues, such as racism.

If you’re curious to discover who brings the captivating characters to life on screen, you’re in the right place! Join us as we unveil the full cast list below!

Poison cast: Who stars in the Roald Dahl shorts?

As with all the Netflix Roald Dahl shorts, which also include The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar, The Swan, and The Rat Catcher, Poison features a celebrity cast of famous faces. The full cast list, according to IMDb, is as follows:

Benedict Cumberbatch as Harry

Benedict Cumberbatch portrays Harry, “a British man in India, who finds himself frozen in bed when a deadly snake slithers onto his stomach while he is reading. Harry must keep himself as still as possible to avoid waking the venomous reptile under his sheets.”

The English actor is probably best known as Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he is also known for starring in the BBC’s drama Sherlock, as the the titular consulting detective. Other movies he is known for include The Imitation Game (2014), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), and The Power of the Dog (2021).

Dev Patel as Woods

Dev Patel portrays Woods the narrator of the original Roald Dahl story and a friend of the protagonist, Harry. When Woods discovers Harry lying still in bed with a poisonous snake asleep on his stomach, he calls Dr. Ganderbai to help remove the snake. Woods plays a crucial role in the story as he assists Harry and Dr. Ganderbai in their attempts to save Harry from the deadly snake.

The British actor rose to fame after his portrayal of Jamal in the 2008 critically acclaimed movie, Slumdog Millionaire. He is best known for the movies Lion (2016), The Green Knight (2021), and Chappie (2015).

Ben Kingsley as Dr. Ganderbai

Ben Kingsley portrays Dr. Ganderbai, he is the doctor who is called by Woods to help save Harry from the venomous snake. However, when Harry reacts poorly to a joke made by Dr. Ganderbai and launches a tirade of racist abuse at him, the true “poison” in the story: Harry’s toxic bigotry, is revealed. Dr. Ganderbai’s character serves as a catalyst to expose the underlying theme of racism in the story, making his role significant in delivering the film’s message.

Ben Kingsley is an Academy Award-winning actor who is best known for starring in the 1982 movie Ghandi. More recently you would know the actor from his movies such as Jules (2023), Dailand (2022), Spider in the Web (2019), and The Red Sea Diving Resort (2019).

Ralph Fiennes as Roald Dahl

Ralph Fiennes portrays Roald Dahl in the short movie. Although he was not a character in the original story, in the short movie he acts as the second narrator, often taking over for Dev Patel’s Woods when necessary.

Ralph Fiennes is best known for playing Lord Voldemort in Harry Potter, M. Gustave in The Grand Budapest Hotel, and Chef Slowik in The Menu. Some of his other movies include Schindler’s List (1993), The Constant Gardener (2005), Coriolanus (2011), and The King’s Man (2021).