Under the Banner of Heaven: Examining Cast and Real-Life Figures
Andrew Garfield leads the cast of fictional and real-life characters as FX on Hulu's Under The Banner Of Heaven explores the true tale of the Brenda and Allen Lafferty murder case. The series investigates the difficult world of conservative Mormonism and shows a horrific double-murder based on the 2003 nonfiction book of the same name. The characters in the show are compelled to challenge their convictions and face the risks of unwavering faith when they learn the actual narrative.
Under the Banner of Heaven centers on the horrific 1984 murders of Brenda Lafferty, 24-year-old daughter of a well-known Latter-day Saint family living in Utah, and Erica, 15-month-old daughter. Inspired by particular texts and Laffertys' religion's beliefs, the atrocities were linked to fundamentalist Mormonism. From actors experienced in spiritually-driven projects to horror stars, the Under the Banner of Heaven cast is able to faithfully and emotionally capture these complicated, terrible, and strong-willed people.
Allen Lafferty, Billy Howle
Actor Billy Howle plays Allen Lafferty in Under the Banner of Heaven, a performance that still ranks among his most well-known ones. He has also made appearances in TV shows and feature films including Outlaw King as Prince Edward, Chloe as Elliott, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker as Rey's father. His first performance was in 2012's Vera; he is slated to feature opposite Nicole Kidman and Liev Schrieber in the next Netflix mystery drama The Perfect Couple.
Character: Many of the flashbacks in Under the Banner of Heaven follow Allen Lafferty, Brenda's real-life husband's point of view. After meeting Brenda, Allen, the youngest brother in the Lafferty family, falls in love fast; but, his brothers and father object to Brenda's independent and outspoken character. Allen remembers their life together before her murder, and it is his critical comments on the doctrines of Mormonism and the LDS Church that progressively cause Detective Pyre to doubt his faith.
Daisy Edgar-Jones as Brenda Wright Lafferty
Starring Brenda Lafferty in the Under the Banner of Heaven ensemble is Daisy Edgar-jones. She is most known outside of the miniseries for appearing as Emily Gresham in War of the Worlds, Normal People as Marianne Sheridan, and Hulu's Fresh as Noa. She most famously plays Kya in the Where the Crawdads Sing in 2022. She next makes a noteworthy cameo in the Twisters sequel from 2024.
Character: Brenda Lafferty was Allen Lafferty's real-life 24-year-old wife and mother to 15-month-old Erica, who was viciously killed in her house in 1984. The flashbacks in the show follow Brenda Lafferty before her murder as she travels from her Mormon home in Idaho to Utah's Brigham Young University, where she meets Allen and his somewhat pious LDS family. The startling details of how Mormon religious fanaticism affected her killers progressively come to light as the FX on Hulu series moves through flashbacks and the present-day inquiry headed by Andrew Garfield's character.
Andrew Garfield as a Detective Jeb Pyres
Leading Under the Banner of Heaven as Jeb Pyre, Andrew Garfield, nominated for an Academy Award, He most famously plays Peter Parker in The Amazing Spider-Man films, Desmond Doss in Hacksaw Ridge, Jonathan Larson in Tick, Tick... Boom!, and Eduardo Saverin in The Social Network.
Detective Pyre oversees the inquiry of Brenda and Erica Lafferty's murders in Under the Banner of Heaven. Detective Pyre, a devoted Mormon who has known the Laffertys via his church, tests his own Faith in the Church of Latter-day Saints as the specifics of the killings and how his religion influenced them come to light. Jeb Pyre is a fictitious character unlike most of the people in Under the Banner of Heaven.
Examining the True Story and Religious Extremism More Closely
Under the Banner of Heaven looks at the sinister side of Mormonism, analyzing how religious fanaticism could inspire bloodshed and catastrophe. The show explores the literal interpretation of the Book of Mormon that drives the Lafferty family's extreme views. Their views and their sense of Brenda as a danger to their way of life drove a horrible act of violence. The show begs significant issues on the perils of religious fanaticism and the necessity of critical thinking and challenging inside religious societies.
The show also emphasizes the complicated link between Faith and family, revealing how religious ideas could affect family relationships and generate strife and conflict. Powerful and unsettling, Under the Banner of Heaven investigates the sinister side of faith and the extent some would go in the name of religion.
Sam Worthington As Ron Lafferty
Actor: Sam Worthington is another rather well-known member of the Under the Banner of Heaven ensemble. His most well-known roles are as the voice of Alex Mason in the Call of Duty video games and in James Cameron's Avatar films and Terminator Salvation. Worthington also starred Captain Jack Glover in Hacksaw Ridge with Under the Banner of Heaven co-star Andrew Garfield.
Character: First to deviate from his father's beliefs on following their Mormon scriptures is the eldest Lafferty brother. Married to Dianna, Ron, a real-life construction firm owner, has six children with her.
Wyatt Russell as Dan Lafferty
Actor Wyatt Russell, who has been active since the late 1980s, is also rather well-known in the Under the Banner of Heaven cast. Among TV shows and movies he stars in, he is most well-known for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, 22 Jump Street, Overlord, and Lodge 49.
Played by Wyatt Russell is Allen's older brother, who Ammon identifies as the leader of the home while he and their mother are on a missionary journey. While Ammon is abroad, Dan takes over the family's chiropractor practice out of the Lafferty house and is also candid about not paying his taxes. The character's obligations also affect his wife, Matilda, who he wed following a mission in Scotland, and her two daughters from a past marriage.
The Value of Benevolent Under Banner of Heaven
Powerful and provocative, Under the Banner of Heaven investigates the negative aspects of faith and the perils of religious radicalism. The show is evidence of the gifted actors and crew that have vividly and disturbingly brought the actual Lafferty killings to life. The show reminds us of the need of critical thinking, challenging assumptions, and compassion inside every society.
Anyone interested in actual crime, religious history, or the difficult interaction between faith and society should definitely check out the series. Long after you have stopped seeing it, Under the Banner of Heaven will remain with you.
