Terminator Zero Cast & Character Guide

Set within the Terminator universe, Netflix’s sci-fi action anime Terminator Zero introduces a brand-new roster of characters and cast members to the storied franchise. Developed by Mattson Tomlin (The Batman) and directed by animator Masashi Kudō (Bleach), the eight-episode first season of the series was beautifully crafted by animation studio Production I.G. and Skydance Television. Unlike other entries in the Terminator timeline, Terminator Zero takes place in Japan, though it still pulls in lore, including Terminator‘s post-apocalyptic Judgment Day, from James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd’s pre-existing Terminator movies, sequels, and spin-offs.

For fans of the franchise, Terminator Zero puts forth familiar story beats, but with a few fresh twists, making the Netflix anime the definitive example of how the Terminator franchise can move forward. As Judgment Day approaches, scientist Malcolm Lee (André Holland) frets over whether to release his AI system, KOKORO (Rosario Dawson), to counteract the soon-to-be-launched Skynet. Meanwhile, a Terminator is sent back from the future to track down Malcolm, three children, and their nanny Misaki (Sumalee Montano), which prompts resistance soldier Eiko (Sonoya Mizuno) to travel from 2022 to 1997 to stop the cybernetic assassin.

André Holland As Malcolm Lee

Date Of Birth: December 28, 1979

Actor: Born in Bessemer, Alabama, Holland’s first on-screen performance was in an episode of Law & Order, though he cut his teeth on stage, playing three roles in the acclaimed Blue Door. Since then, Holland has played a political activist in Ava DuVernay’s historical drama film Selma, sports writer Wendell Smith in the Chadwick Boseman-starring 42, and the character of David in Barry Jenkins’ Academy Award-winning Moonlight. The actor’s other major projects include Shirley​​​​, Exhibiting Forgiveness, Passing, Bones and All, The Knick, Castle Rock, and The Big Cigar.

Character: A father and scientist with a mysterious past, Malcolm is hard at work developing an AI, KOKORO, that can stop Skynet from causing Judgement Day — an apocalyptic event he’s had dreams of for years.

Sonoya Mizuno As Eiko

Date Of Birth: July 1, 1986

Actor: Born in Tokyo, Japan, British actor Sonoya Mizuno began her career as a professional model for brands like Chanel, Alexander McQueen, Saint Laurent and Louis Vuitton​​​​​​​. In 2014, she made her feature film debut in Alex Garland’s acclaimed science-fiction thriller Ex Machina, and went on to land parts in La La Land, Crazy Rich Asians, and Cary Joji Fukunaga’s Maniac. Although Mizuno has appeared in other Alex Garland movies, such as Civil War, Men, and Annihilation, she played the lead in the filmmaker’s lauded miniseries, Devs. Most recently, Mizuno gained even more visibility for her role as Mysaria in House of the Dragon.

Character: A hardened resistance soldier, Eiko is sent back in time from 2022 to 1997 in order to protect Malcolm and his children from the Terminator, all while stopping Malcolm from activating KOKORO.

Rosario Dawson As KOKORO

Date Of Birth: May 9, 1979

Actor: Born in New York, Dawson made her feature-film debut in the 1995 independent drama Kids before landing parts in big-name projects like Josie and the Pussycats, Men in Black II, Rent, Clerks II, and Sin City. More recently, the actor appeared in the acclaimed miniseries Dopesick, voiced Diana Prince/Wonder Woman in the DC Animated Movie Universe’s projects, and landed the role of fan-favorite character Ahsoka Tano, leading to her appearance in several live-action Star Wars projects, including The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, and Ahsoka.

Character: KOKORO is a highly advanced AI developed by Malcolm Lee as Japan’s answer to Skynet.

Sumalee Montano as Misaki

Date Of Birth: August 3, 1972

Actor: Born and raised in Ohio, Montano also spent some time in Bangkok, Thailand while growing up. Before beginning a career in acting, she was an investment bank analyst in New York City and Hong Kong. Since switching careers, Montano has appeared in numerous big-name live-action projects, including Veep, This Is Us, and Scandal, among many others. On the voice-over side of things, Montano has played characters in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Beware the Batman, Transformers Prime, Dragon Age: Inquisition, and Ghost of Tsushima, among many others.

Character: Misaki is a mysterious young woman who cares for Malcolm’s children and runs errands while he’s at work — though there’s more to her than meets the eye.

Timothy Olyphant As The Terminator

Date Of Birth: May 20, 1968

Actor: Although he was born in Honolulu, Hawai’i, Olyphant mainly grew up in Modesto, California. In 1996, he made his feature film debut in The First Wives Club, and, just a few years later, Olyphant nabbed a breakout role in Scream 2. Since then, the actor’s most well-known projects have grown to include Deadwood, Justified, Santa Clarita Diet, and Damages, though he’s also had notable guest star roles in The Mandalorian, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and The Good Place.

Character: The Terminator is a cybernetic assassin who was sent back in time to eliminate Malcolm Lee before he has the chance to stop Skynet’s Judgement Day.

Ann Dowd As The Prophet

Date Of Birth: January 30, 1956

Actor: Born in Holyoke, Massachusetts, Dowd’s first big screen role was in 1997’s Shiloh. After appearing in cult hit All Over Me, Dowd went on to land roles in classics such as The Manchurian Candidate, Philadelphia, Garden State, Marley & Me, and Compliance, with the latter earning her a National Board of Review Award. In addition to appearing in big-name films like Hereditary, Mass, and The Exorcist: Believer, Dowd received an Emmy nomination for her portrayal of Patti Levin in HBO’s The Leftovers before finally winning an Emmy for her role as Aunt Lydia in Hulu’s adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale.

Character: The Prophet is the Resistance’s spiritual and philosophical leader, who provides Eiko with more insight into both time travel and her mission.

Terminator Zero’s Supporting Characters

Other Notable Voices From The Cast Of Netflix’s Terminator Zero

Armani Jackson as Kenta: Best known for his roles in Wolf Pack and Ready Player One, Jackson plays Kenta, Malcolm’s older and robot-obsessed son, in Terminator Zero.

Carter Rockwood as Hiro: Rockwood has lent his voice to Batman: The Caped Crusader and plays Hiro, Malcolm’s caring younger son, in Terminator Zero.

Gideon Adlon as Reika: Although Adlon is more well-known for her live-action roles in Blockers, The Mustang, and The Thing About Pam, she has provided voice-over work for Pacific Rim: The Black and Terminator: Zero, in which she plays Malcolm’s caring and insightful daughter, Reika.

Terminator Zero Japanese Voice Actors

Netflix’s Terminator Zero Features Both Japanese & English Voice Casts

Netflix viewers are able to watch Terminator Zero with either English or Japanese voice tracks. That said, Terminator Zero‘s Japanese voice cast includes the following talent:

• Yuuya Uchida as Malcolm Lee
• Hiro Shimono as Kenta
• Shizuka Ishigami as Hiro
• Miyuki Satou as Reika
• Saori Hayami as Misaki
• Toa Yukinari as Eiko
• Atsumi Tanezaki as KOKORO
• Mari Yokoo as The Prophet

Terminator Zero season 1 is now streaming on Netflix.