Netflix's 'Maid': Everything to Know

You may not have thought you needed yet another Netflix show to binge, but Maid has a 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a compelling true-life story based on a memoir and a cast you've definitely seen before.

Maid (produced by Warner Bros. Television) stars Margaret Qualley as Alex Russell, a single mother determined to leave an emotionally abusive relationship, no matter how challenging it may be to go it alone with her young daughter. Her real-life mom, actress Andie MacDowell, plays her mother on the show, adding another layer of depth to their complicated on-screen relationship.

A day after Maid premiered on Oct. 1, 2021, MacDowell raved on Instagram about the experience of acting with Qualley. "Working alongside my daughter @margaretqualley was an extraordinary honor, and an experience I will cherish forever," she wrote. In another Instagram post, MacDowell added, "Thank you to my daughter Margaret for giving me this space and opportunity as a scene partner."

Their performance together drew raves from critics like Inkoo Kang, who wrote for the Washington Post: "Qualley and MacDowell are each other's best scene partners, with the younger actor anchoring the production with emotional realism and the screen veteran arguably doing the most impressive work of her career, flitting through thoughts and moods as quickly as the pages of a book."

They are just two of the talented cast members of the drama, which is told from Alex's unfiltered point of view. Maid also dives deep into topics like substance abuse, domestic violence and class issues as Alex struggles to make enough money to get herself and her daughter out of their precarious living situations.

The 10-episode limited series is a fictionalization of Stephanie Land's New York Times best-seller Maid: Hard Work, Low Pay, and a Mother's Will to Survive. The author, who also serves as an executive producer on Maid, said in an interview with Netflix: "I wrote a book so people who struggle to get by could see themselves represented in an authentic way, and they could feel less alone ... [the series] continues that legacy in ways that absolutely blow my mind."

Keep reading to meet the star-studded cast of Maid and find out where you've seen them in the past.

Margaret Qualley as Alex

Qualley plays Alex, a young, single mother whose determination to make a better life for her 2-year-old daughter, Maddy, is unmatched. She does what she can to survive after fleeing her abusive husband, taking low-paying jobs as a maid and staying in shelters as she struggles to earn enough to make a home for her and Maddy.

The actress' previous credits include The Leftovers, The Nice Guys (2016), Death Note (2017), and Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood (2019). She's also been a trained ballerina since childhood and attended London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts to pursue her acting career.

Qualley has received multiple Emmy nominations, including outstanding supporting actress in a limited series or movie for Fosse/Verdon and outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie for Maid. She also earned a Golden Globe nomination for best actress – limited series, anthology series or television motion picture for her role on Maid.

Andie MacDowell as Paula

MacDowell is not only Qualley's mother in real life but also plays Alex's mother, Paula, on-screen. Though Paula cares about her daughter, she suffers from rapid mood swings (which Alex believes is undiagnosed bipolar disorder) that make her unreliable.

Paula is invested in her art and in a relationship with a man, Basil, who demonstrates hostile behavior toward Alex.

The actress has worked for decades in such iconic films as Sex, Lies, and Videotape (1989), Green Card (1990), Groundhog Day (1993), Four Weddings and a Funeral (1994) and Multiplicity (1996). Before working as an actress, she started as a model in the 1970s and has been a L'Oréal spokeswoman since the mid-’80s.

Nick Robinson as Sean

Nick Robinson plays Alex's abusive ex-boyfriend, Sean, who was sweet and romantic initially but experiences an alcohol problem and becomes a violent person from whom she runs away with their daughter. As a result, Sean attempts to sue her for custody of Maddy. Though he makes Alex's life hell, the show explores the difficult path of substance use disorder and other unresolved issues he faces.

Though Robinson is widely known for playing the lead role in Love, Simon (2018), he’s also received credits in Jurassic World (2015); Everything, Everything (2017) and A Teacher (2020).

Anika Noni Rose as Regina

Anika Noni Rose plays Regina, Alex's first client as a maid. Regina's snooty, hard-to-please persona makes it challenging for anyone to meet her demands, but she warms to Alex and counsels her on some of her biggest challenges.

Rose previously voiced the leading role of Tiana in Disney's The Princess and the Frog. The actress and singer also held various on-screen parts in films and TV shows such as Dreamgirls (2006), The Good Wife, For Colored Girls (2010) and Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020).

In addition, Rose has won multiple awards, including a Tony Award for best featured actress in a musical for her role in the 2004 original Broadway production of Caroline, or Change.

Billy Burke as Hank

Billy Burke plays Alex's distant father, Hank. Alex doesn't expect much of him, especially since he left her and her mother to start a new life and family of his own.

The actor is best known for playing another fatherly role: Charlie Swan, Bella's dad in the Twilight film franchise, from 2008 to 2012. His other acting credits include films like Along Came a Spider (2001), Lights Out (2016) and Breaking In (2018) and such TV shows as My Boys, Rizzoli & Isles, Revolution and Major Crimes.

Raymond Ablack as Nate

Raymond Ablack plays Nate, an old friend who returns to Alex's life during her moments of need to help bail her out. However, he previously had a romantic interest in her, which tests their relationship as she tries to get back on her feet.

The Canadian actor-comedian is no stranger to playing "nice guy" roles. Netflix fans may recognize him from Ginny & Georgia, where he plays Joe, the owner of Blue Farm Café. Other notable television projects he's appeared on include Orphan Black, Teenagers, Narcos and Nurses. He also had a recurring role on the teen drama franchise Degrassi as Sav Bhandari.

Tracy Vilar as Yolanda

Tracy Vilar portrays the no-nonsense Yolanda, the owner of Value Maids, a cleaning company that hires Alex. As someone who’s no stranger to adversity and the harsh realities of life and the business world, Yolanda comes off as strict and demanding and suffers no fouls. 

Vilar has played various small-screen characters, her most popular being Ro-Ro on CBS’ Partners. The actress has also appeared on such TV shows as The Steve Harvey Show, Saved, How to Get Away with Murder and The Good Doctor. Some of her film credits include Crooklyn (1994), Double Jeopardy (1999) and Search Party (2014).

Christie Burke as Tania

Christie Burke plays Tania, a friend of Alex and Sean. Despite knowing Alex for as long as she has, Tania’s unyielding loyalty to Sean threatens the fabric of her friendship with Alex.

The Canadian actress is best known for portraying Renesmee Cullen in parts one and two of The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn. Some of her other movie credits include A Single Shot (2013), Love Everlasting (2016) and Still/Born (2017).

Burke has appeared on TV projects such as Eureka, Almost Human, Supernatural, The Haunting of Bly Manor and The Ark.

Aimee Carrero as Danielle

Aimee Carrero portrays Danielle, a survivor of domestic abuse who eventually befriends Alex at a women’s shelter. Danielle becomes a rock for Alex, though the fate of Danielle’s narrative on Maid remains unknown.

The Dominican actress is best known for her voice acting credits, which include Princess Elena on Disney Channel’s Elena of Avalor and Adora/She-Ra on Netflix’s She-Ra and the Princesses of Power. Carrero has also starred in various movies, including Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel (2009), The Last Witch Hunter (2015), The Menu (2022) and Spirited (2022).

Carrero’s first TV gig came in 2009 as Mia on an episode of Hannah Montana. She’s made many small-screen appearances since then, including on shows like Greek, Baby Daddy, American Horror Story: Cult and The Consultant.