The Crowded Room (2023)

Tom Holland portrays character based on real-life Campus Rapist in miniseries from A Beautiful Mind screenwriter

The Crowded Room is a psychological thriller miniseries created by Akiva Goldsman for Apple TV+. It is based on the Daniel Keyes 1981 nonfiction novel titled “The Minds of Billy Milligan” which discusses the case of Billy Milligan, a groundbreaking figure who became the first person in U.S. history to be acquitted of a significant crime by pleading dissociative identity disorder. Tom Holland’s character of Danny Sullivan is loosely based on Milligan. 

Akiva Goldsman is best known for his screenwriting in such films as Cinderella Man and The Da Vinci Code. He previously won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay for 2001’s A Beautiful Mind. He is presently heavily involved in the new Star Trek universe on Paramount+. He wrote the first four episodes of The Crowded Room and co-wrote the remaining six episodes with other screenwriters. Kornél Mundruczó directs multiple episodes of the miniseries in addition to the pilot. The miniseries also features the work of other esteemed directors including Mona Fastvold, Brady Corbet and Alan Taylor. 

Tom Holland stars as the lead character of Danny Sullivan while Zachary Golinger portrays his younger self. Holland is best known for his role as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. According to Goldsman, Holland was his top choice and the sole actor he approached to portray Danny in the series. Amanda Seyfried portrays Rya Goodwin, a clinical psychologist determined to uncover the truth and realities surrounding the event. Emmy Rossum takes on the role of Candy Sullivan, Danny's mother.

The rest of the talented ensemble includes Sasha Lane as Ariana, Danny's closest friend who, like him, seeks retribution for their shared past struggles. Christopher Abbott portrays Stan, a war veteran and Danny's lawyer who grapples with the lingering traumas from his own life experiences. Emma Laird plays Isabel, a high school friend of Danny who recognizes his potential and abilities more than anyone else. The cast also features Will Chase as Marlin Reid, Jason Isaacs as Jack Lamb, Lior Raz as Yitzhak, Henry Eikenberry as Doug, Henry Zaga as Philip, Thomas Sadoski as Matty Dunne, Laila Robins as Susie, Sam Vartholomeos as Mike and newcomer Levon Hawke as Jonny.