‘Inventing Anna’: Here’s Why the Cast Looks So Familiar - Netflix Tudum

  • Guide

    Why the ‘Inventing Anna’ Cast Looks So Familiar

    Eagle-eyed fans of Shondaland projects will recognize many faces.

    By Henry Goldblatt
    Feb. 12, 2022

If some cast members of Inventing Anna look familiar to you eagle-eyed Shondaland viewers, well, that’s because they are. In the first eight minutes of the premiere, we encounter no fewer than five familiar faces — Katie Lowes, Anna Deavere Smith, Debra Mooney, Jeff Perry and Kate Burton. Shonda Rhimes, executive producer of Inventing Anna, says the déjà vu was intentional. “I knew that we were going to use Katie Lowes to play Rachel from the very beginning, and I was excited because it would be a different role for her,” she tells Tudum.

“I knew I wanted to use Jeff Perry, but I didn’t know if we were going to be able to get him.” Luckily, she did, along with a murderers row of Shondaland repertory players. Below, the Shondaland vets who populate Inventing Anna’s world, and their memorable previous roles.

Katie Lowes (Scandal) - Why the 'Inventing Anna' Cast Looks So Familiar
(L-R): Michael Desmond/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images; Nicole Rivelli/Netflix

Katie Lowes

Scandal: Quinn Perkins, a gladiator at Olivia Pope & Associates who tortures lots of bad guys — and some good ones. Inventing Anna: Rachel DeLoache Williams, a posh Vanity Fair staffer who’s tortured by her friendship with Anna Delvey — metaphorically anyway.

Jeff Perry (Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal) - Why the 'Inventing Anna' Cast Looks So Familiar
(Clockwise from top left): Eric McCandless/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images; Nicole Rivelli/Netflix; Craig Sjodin/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

Jeff Perry

Grey’s Anatomy: Meredith Grey’s estranged father, Thatcher, who seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time at her hospital.  Scandal: Manipulative, Machiavellian and almost-husband-murderer Cyrus Beene, who was chief of staff to the first President Grant and vice president to the second. Inventing Anna: Manipulative, Machiavellian and almost-husband-murderer are not words you’d use to describe seasoned Manhattan magazine journalist Lou.

Kate Burton (Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal) - Why the 'Inventing Anna' Cast Looks So Familiar
(Clockwise from top left): Michael Desmond/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images; Nicole Rivelli/Netflix; Carol Kaelson/ABC/Everett Collection

Kate Burton

Grey’s Anatomy: She may be Meredith Grey’s second parent to appear on Inventing Anna, but she’ll always be Meredith’s No. 1 tormentor. Scandal: Sally Langston, the conservative firebrand vice president turned TV talk show host. Inventing Anna: Nora, the Bergdorf-brand shopper turned patron to Anna and her boyfriend Chase.

Anna Deavere Smith (For The People) - Why the 'Inventing Anna' Cast Looks So Familiar
(L-R): ABC/Eric McCandless; David Giesbrecht/Netflix

Anna Deavere Smith

For The People: Tina, a clerk of court for the Southern District of New York who was fiercely protective of the law. Inventing Anna: Maud, a writer in Manhattan magazine’s “Scriberia” bullpen who is fiercely protective of fellow journalist Vivian Kent.

Debra Mooney (Scandal, Grey’s Anatomy) - Why the 'Inventing Anna' Cast Looks So Familiar
(Top to bottom): Richard Cartwright/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images; Byron Cohen/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

Debra Mooney

Scandal: A corrupt Supreme Court justice who, in a spoiler alert from 2013, died at the hand of President Fitzgerald Grant. Grey’s Anatomy: Owen Hunt’s no-nonsense mother, Evelyn, who can’t understand why her grandson wants to wear dresses. Inventing Anna: The no-nonsense judge of Anna Delvey’s trial who can’t understand why Anna won’t wear prison-provided dresses.

Marika Domińczyk (Grey’s Anatomy) - Why the 'Inventing Anna' Cast Looks So Familiar
(L-R): Nicole Wilder/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images; David Giesbrecht/Netflix

Marika Domińczyk

Grey’s Anatomy: Dr. Eliza Minnick, a gorgeous hospital consultant obsessed with cost-cutting, sports medicine and Arizona Robbins. Inventing Anna: Talia, a gorgeous lifestyle mogul who’s obsessed with the Hamptons, caftans and pronouncing Ibiza with a th.

Josh Malina (Scandal) - Why the 'Inventing Anna' Cast Looks So Familiar
(L-R): Randy Holmes/ABC/Everett Collection

Josh Malina

Scandal: David Rosen, attorney general of the United States and Olivia Pope’s doormat. Inventing Anna: Henrick Knight, venture capitalist to the glitterati and nobody’s doormat.

Chris Lowell (Private Practice) - Why the 'Inventing Anna' Cast Looks So Familiar
(L-R): Eric McCandless/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images; Nicole Rivelli/Netflix

Chris Lowell

Private Practice: Dell, a sweet receptionist/midwife who had a crush on his boss. Inventing Anna: Noah, a sweet videographer/worrywart who has a crush on Rachel.

Ben Rappaport (For The People) - Why the 'Inventing Anna' Cast Looks So Familiar
(L-R): ABC/Byron Cohen; David Giesbrecht/Netflix

Ben Rappaport

For The People: Assistant US Attorney Seth Oliver, the type of guy who would have prosecuted Anna Delvey. Inventing Anna: Convicted felon Billy McFarland, the type of guy who founded the Fyre Festival.

All About Inventing Anna

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    March 11, 2022
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    Filming at an operating prison is hard, but filming during a pandemic is harder.
    By Destiny Jackson
    March 10, 2022
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    Inventing Anna brought some unexpected undergarment fashion to Rikers.
    By Destiny Jackson
    March 4, 2022
  • Fashion
    Most people use eyeglasses to see the world more clearly. Anna Delvey used them to obscure her true identity.
    By Olivia Harrison
    March 2, 2022
  • Meet Cute
    There’s a reason you love Neff Davis so much.
    By Maria Sherman
    Feb. 23, 2022
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    Inventing Anna has lots of surprises — including this unexpected drink pairing.
    By Ashley Reese
    Feb. 23, 2022
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    Clear some space on your credit card.
    By Jamie Beckman
    Feb. 22, 2022

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