The only thing weirder than the motley crew of geniuses working at the Dragon company in Unstable? Their founder, eccentric biotech innovator Ellis Dragon (Rob Lowe). This new workplace sitcom follows Ellis and his inner circle — his long-suffering CFO, supersmart scientists and nosy board members — as they attempt to save the company from impending disaster when Ellis spirals after his wife’s death. Most crucial to the mission is Ellis’ son Jackson, played by Rob Lowe’s real-life son John Owen Lowe, who co-created the series with his father and comedy veteran Victor Fresco (Santa Clarita Diet). Read on to meet the quirky characters in Ellis’ orbit. 

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Rob Lowe

Brilliant biotech scientist Ellis Dragon has lost his focus following the death of his wife. When his eccentricity threatens to sink his transformative new invention, his son Jackson steps in to help get his father back on track.

John Owen’s real life trolling of his father Rob on social media inspired Ellis’ occupation and relationship with Jackson. “It’s not just a son making fun of a dad,” Rob tells Tudum. “It’s a very specific type of son making fun of a very specific type of dad. And what we realized was that the dad had to be a known figure, has to be generally liked in the world, which really frustrates the son when he sees the dad acting like a buffoon. I didn’t want to play an actor. I didn’t want to play a president. But you gotta play somebody who’s out there in the world. Right now, there’s nothing more current than a tech billionaire.”

A staple of pop culture since the ’80s, Lowe’s most iconic projects include The Outsiders, St. Elmo’s Fire, Behind the Candelabra, The West Wing, Brothers & Sisters, Parks and Recreation and the new Dog Gone.

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John Owen Lowe as Jackson (left) in Season 1 of Unstable.

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John Owen Lowe

Ellis’ pragmatic son Jackson is an accomplished flutist who has stayed out of the family business — until now, when he returns home to try to pull his father out of his emotional spiral.

While John Owen plays the piano in real life, Fresco thought it would be funnier if Jackson was a flautist, the actor-producer tells Tudum. “We though the flute was having a resurgence, perhaps due to Lizzo. And it’s a funny kind of instrument,” says John Owen. “It’s hard to look cool playing the flute. Lizzo does it, but there’s not many other people who can do it, I don’t think. I certainly can’t.” 

Stanford grad Lowe has acted alongside his father before, in sitcom The Grinder and Netflix Christmas movie Holiday in the Wild. He also appeared in the indie Grace Point. As a writer, he worked on multiple seasons of the procedural series 9-1-1: Lone Star.

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Sian Clifford

Dragon’s chief financial officer has kept the train running during Ellis’ emotional breakdown. She’s stern, strong, smart and opinionated — and one of the few people who isn’t afraid to face off with Ellis directly.

“He doesn’t really have anyone in his life and neither does she,” says Clifford about Ellis and Anna’s dynamic. “It’s for sure a codependent relationship — not that either of them are conscious of that fact — but I think they both need each other [equally]. She’s keeping that company together for both of their sakes.” 

Clifford got a haircut that made her look like a pencil as the titular character’s sister in Fleabag. Following a prolific London theater career, her recent screen credits include the mini-series Quiz and adaptations of Life After Life and Vanity Fair and the film See How They Run.

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Aaron Branch

Jackson’s childhood friend has recently been promoted from Ellis’ assistant to project manager of the game-changing experimental Red Lab. He might not be a scientist, but he still worships Ellis.

Stepping into Malcolm’s nervous shoes wasn’t an issue for Branch. Before he became a full time actor, Branch worked as a CEO’s assistant and was eventually promoted to project manager of a very small team. “It’s one of those art mimicking life scenarios,” he says. “The moment that I read the [Unstable] script, I was like, ‘I really need this role. I know exactly what Malcolm’s feeling.’ It was all the emotions I had recently felt.” 

Stand-up comedian Branch can be seen in episodes of sitcoms Kenan and Millennials.

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Emma Ferreira

An outgoing, friendly scientist working in Dragon’s Red Lab, Ruby spends her days collaborating with her work wife–slash–best friend and fellow biotech genius Luna. Ruby quickly develops an attraction to Jackson.

“Having the chance to play a woman of color in STEM amongst established and soon to be comedy legends? It’s such an incredible opportunity,” says Ferreira. “I think people will love Ruby’s directness, her vulnerability, her zest for life and of course her work wife relationship with Luna.”

Ferreira was named one of the Toronto International Film Festival’s Rising Stars in 2021 as she made her feature-film debut in Learn to Swim. Aside from an episode of the Canadian medical drama Transplant, Unstable is Ferreira’s first TV gig. 

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Rachel Marsh

Shy scientist Luna spends her days working with Ruby on Ellis’ carbon-to-concrete project. She’s more awkward than her outspoken best friend, which proves problematic when she, too, develops a crush on Jackson.

When Marsh read for Luna, she was immediately drawn to the character’s lack of self-consciousness. “I really think she’s not aware of how funny she is,” says Marsh. “She’s a vehicle for a lot of comedy and situational comedy specifically. I think people really love just being able to laugh along with her and the weird situations she finds herself in.”

Marsh joined Unstable after episodes of NCIS: Los Angeles, iCarly and Head of the Class.

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(L-R) Sian Clifford as Anna, JT Parr as Chaz and Tom Allen as TJ in Season 1 of Unstable. 

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Tom Allen and John Parr

These dopey tech bros are on the Dragon board (thanks to their father’s money), and are trying to oust Ellis. Unfortunately, they lack the smarts to do it by themselves.

Allen and Parr, better known as comedy duo Chad and JT, star in the Netflix prank comedy series Chad and JT Go Deep, in which the surfer bros “set out to spread positivity through community activism and chill vibes.” They also host a podcast of the same name.

Follow the duo on Instagram and Twitter; follow Allen on Instagram and Parr on Instagram. 

Fred Armisen as Leslie (left) and Rob Lowe as Ellis (right) in Season 1 of Unstable.

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Fred Armisen

Leslie is Ellis’ board-appointed mental health professional. He’s dealing with a recent separation from his wife — and it’s not going well.

Where haven’t you seen Armisen? He’s a comedy constant from years in TV and film including Saturday Night Live, Portlandia, Documentary Now!, The Bubble, Big Mouth and of course as Uncle Fester in Wednesday.

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Additional reporting by Ariana Romero.