Lost Ollie: Jonathan Groff, Gina Rodriguez, and more cast in Netflix series

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Netflix has announced its main players for Lost Ollie, a live-action/animation hybrid family series based on William Joyce and Brandon Oldenburg’s book Ollie’s Odyssey. Actors set to join the epic excursion include Jonathan Groff (Frozen, Hamilton), Mary J. Blige (Mudbound), Tim Blake Nelson, (O Brother, Where Art Thou?), Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin), Jake Johnson (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Jurassic World), and Kesler Talbot (50 States of Fright). Each will be taking on live-action and voice roles in the series from Shannon Tindle (Kubo and the Two Strings, Coraline), Peter Ramsey (Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse), Stranger Things producer Shawn Levy’s 21 Laps Entertainment, and Industrial Light & Magic.

Greenlit in October, the four-episode Lost Ollie tells the tale of a lost toy on a grand adventure, searching across the countryside for the boy who lost him, and the story of the boy who lost more than a best friend.

In terms of casting, Groff will voice Ollie, a handmade toy rabbit stitched together from odds and ends. Ollie has a pure spirit with a heart of gold and never ruins a chance to make friends. He’s been best friends with Billy for as long as he can remember, until one day he ends up in a resale shop with no way home. Talbot will play Billy, the young boy who embarks on a mission to find his lost toy. Gina Rodriguez will play Billy's mother, Sharon, a caring woman who inspires her son's creativity. Johnson will star as Billy's overworked and stressed-out father, James. Blige will voice Rosy, a raggedy teddy bear stitched together from other toys. A character who sees herself as a passionate warrior, Rosy becomes an important ally for Ollie during his adventure. Finally, Nelson will voice Zozo, an old clown doll with an even older soul. A good-humored gentleman, Zozo is more than willing to help Ollie find his way back to his best friend, Billy.

I'm just going to come out and say it: This project sounds amazing. The ensemble cast is incredibly well-crafted, and the concept sounds both harrowing and heartwarming all at once. Plus, would you look at that preview image of Ollie? How adorable is he? I so want him to be reunited with his friend, and dammit, I'll leap into the show to help him myself if need be.

Be sure to stay close for more updates as to when Lost Ollie will wander onto Netflix.