Every author has that secret “what if” daydream — the one where their book isn’t just bound in pages, but lit up on the big screen (or let’s be real, streamed worldwide in one weekend by millions of people). For me, that dream is always Netflix. Their slate of slick, binge-worthy thrillers feels like home for The Catalogue. It’s cinematic in scope, character-driven at its core, and loaded with the kind of psychological tension that makes audiences whisper “just one more episode” at 2 a.m.
But beyond the fantasy of seeing my characters move, breathe, and argue in flesh and blood, there’s another delight: casting them. Who could capture Jake’s haunted resilience? Zasha’s unpredictable fire? Parker’s charm-turned-venom? This is where storytelling collides with fandom — because if The Catalogue ever did make its way to Netflix, here’s exactly how I’d love to see it brought to life.
The Cast
Richard Madden as Jake
Richard Madden (Bodyguard, Game of Thrones) has that rare combination of grit and vulnerability. He can carry himself like a man hardened by his past but still let flashes of humanity break through. That’s Jake — someone surviving in the cracks, but with just enough spark to keep fighting.
Anya Taylor-Joy as Zasha
Zasha is unpredictable — you’re never sure if she’s about to save you or set the whole room on fire. Anya Taylor-Joy (The Queen’s Gambit, The Menu) thrives in roles that balance sharp intelligence with an almost alien charisma. She could make Zasha unforgettable, but this may be her most physically challenging role to date (if she took it).
Chris Hemsworth as Ethan Parker
This is where casting against type makes the role shine. Hemsworth is known for his charm and larger-than-life heroics, but that’s exactly why he’d be perfect as Parker. Imagine that charisma turned deceptive — the golden-boy exterior hiding a ruthless manipulator. When the mask comes off, it would hit the audience like a freight train.
Daniel Dae Kim as Jun Li
Jun Li demands quiet authority. Daniel Dae Kim (Lost, Hawaii Five-0) has a presence that communicates both discipline and depth. He can play the strategist, the mentor, and the man who carries invisible burdens. Kim’s intensity is subtle but commanding — which is exactly what Jun Li needs.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Chinelo
Chinelo is steel wrapped in compassion, a character who refuses to bend in the face of corruption. Adewale (Lost, Suicide Squad) radiates strength but also a profound moral gravity. He can play fierce and intimidating, yet still ground his characters in humanity — making him a perfect Chinelo.
David Harbour as Lt. Simons
Simons is a complicated man, world-weary and scarred by years of doing the job. David Harbour (Stranger Things) excels at playing characters who are rough-edged but ultimately human. He’d nail the gruff exterior while giving glimpses of the brokenness underneath.
Tony Leung as Do Shen
For Do Shen, menace comes not from shouting, but from silence. Tony Leung (Shang-Chi, In the Mood for Love) has that rare gift of communicating power through stillness. His every glance feels loaded, his presence commanding without a word — the exact embodiment of Do Shen’s quiet terror.
🎬 The Directors
For tone, my dream directors stay the same:
- Denis Villeneuve (Sicario, Dune) – for the scale and grit.
- Susanne Bier (The Night Manager) – for human drama and moral ambiguity.
- Cary Joji Fukunaga (True Detective) – for stylish tension and cinematic atmosphere.
Final Thoughts
Part of the fun of dreaming about a screen adaptation is that it forces you to see your own story in a new light. Casting choices highlight different shades of a character. Director picks remind you of the atmosphere you always imagined in your head. And suddenly, what once lived only on the page feels like it’s just a step away from jumping onto the screen.
But here’s the truth: the real adaptation always begins in the reader’s imagination. You see Jake, Zasha, Parker, and the rest in your own unique way. Maybe your fan cast looks completely different than mine. Maybe you’d choose a director I didn’t even consider. That’s the beauty of it — every reader builds their own “show” as they turn the pages.
So let me turn it back to you: Who would you cast if The Catalogue was a Netflix series? Drop your dream picks — I’d love to hear them.
And if you haven’t read it yet, now’s the perfect time to grab a copy of The Catalogue and start building your own mental cast list. Who knows — maybe one day, we’ll be watching it together on Netflix.
Read this thriller to see what actors pop in your head!
Download The Catalogue today and experience a world built seamlessly into every twist, turn, and character choice.
