Summary
Danny McBride and Walton Goggins lead a stacked ensemble of hilarious performers in the cast of HBO’s twisted dark comedy seriesVice Principals.Vice Principalsrevolves around a pair of spiteful and vindictive vice principals both gunning for the top job. When they’re both passed over in favor of an outside hire, they reluctantly join forces to usurp the new principal.Vice Principalswas an oddity in the world of TV production, because it wasn’t designed to go on indefinitely; it was designed to last for two seasons, with every single episode written before the first one was shot.
McBride and Goggins proved to be a dynamic duo for the ages in the lead roles of Neal Gamby and Lee Russell. But they were surrounded by terrific supporting players, too. From Busy Philipps to Edi Patterson to Kimberly Hébert Gregory, theVice Principalscast is full of great actors.
Ray Liptrapp
Vice Principals Series Finale: Recap & Ending Explained
Though it may be Danny McBride’s shortest-lived HBO show, a Vice Principals recap is necessary to capture all the madcap antics in the finale.
Danny McBride As Neal Gamby
McBride plays the ruthless vice principal in charge of discipline at North Jackson
Danny McBride was born in Statesboro, Georgia, in 1976. He got his big break when his low-budget indie comedyThe Foot Fist Waywas picked up by Will Ferrell and Adam McKay’s Gary Sanchez Productions. McBride co-wrote and starred in the film as taekwondo instructor Fred Simmons.
McBride gained further recognition with roles as Rico Brown inHot Rod, Red inPineapple Express, and Cody Underwood inTropic Thunder. He has starred in the HBO comediesEastbound & Downas washed-up Major League pitcher Kenny Powers, one ofMcBride’s most outrageous characters, andThe Righteous Gemstonesas corrupt pastor Jesse Gemstone. McBride also played Tennessee inAlien: Covenantand a warped version of himself inThis is the End.
McBride leads the cast ofVice PrincipalsasNeal Gamby, the ruthless vice principal in charge of discipline at North Jackson. Neal is arrogant and hot-tempered, but he’s also deeply vulnerable. McBride also co-created the series with frequent collaborator Jody Hill and co-wrote every episode of the show’s two seasons.
Why Eastbound & Down Is Danny McBride’s Best HBO Show (& Vice Principals Is Second)
Danny McBride appears to be the comedy king of HBO. He brought the laughs in Vice Principals, but his crowning achievement is Eastbound and Down.
Walton Goggins As Lee Russell
Goggins plays the duplicitous vice principal of curriculum
Walton Goggins was born in 1971 in Birmingham, Alabama. He first broke out with the role of Detective Shane Vendrell in FX’s police corruption seriesThe Shield. This led to a larger role as Boyd Crowder, the main villain in FX’s neo-western dramaJustified.
Goggins is known for other TV roles likeThe Ghoul inFalloutand the voice of GDA director Cecil Stedman inInvincible. His film roles include Stans inPredators, Chris Mannix inThe Hateful Eight, and Sonny Burch inAnt-Man and the Wasp. His work onJustifiedearned him an Emmy nomination.
InVice Principals, Goggins playsGamby’s rival-turned-partner-in-crime Lee Russell, North Jackson’s vice principal of curriculum. Russell is just as self-important and duplicitous as Gamby, but he does a better job of hiding it. Goggins would later reunite with McBride to play Baby Billy Freeman inThe Righteous Gemstones.
Kimberly Hébert Gregory As Dr. Belinda Brown
Gregory plays the no-nonsense new principal
Kimberly Hébert Gregory was born in Houston, Texas, in 1972. She got her breakthrough with her role inVice Principals. Before that, she was principally known as a theater actor.
Elsewhere on TV, Gregory had recurring roles as Veronica Hopkins inBrooklyn Nine-Nineand Kyra Hay inBetter Call Saul. In films, Gregory has played Nurse Barbara in the coming-of-age romanceFive Feet Apartand Tasha White inMiss Virginia. Gregory previously co-starred with McBride when she had a small role as a debt collector in the comedy thrillerArizona.
InVice Principals, Gregory playsDr. Belinda Brown, the new principal of North Jackson High. Throughout season 1, Gamby and Russell team up to usurp her. She was part of the main cast in season 1, then had a recurring role in season 2.
Georgia King As Amanda Snodgrass
King plays the English teacher
Georgia King was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1986. She first broke big with the role of Rosamond Oliver in the 2006 TV adaptation ofJane Eyre. She later played surrogate mother Goldie Clemmons in the sitcomThe New Normal.
King has played movie roles like Harriet inWild Child, Lady Teazle inThe Duchess, and Juliet inSt. Trinian’s 2: The Legend of Fritton’s Gold. She also played Emma in the notorious box office bombCockneys vs Zombies. Her other TV roles include Lianne inDevs, Petra Aberdeen inStar Trek: Lower Decks, and Jess inVicious.
King playsAmanda Snodgrass, the kind-natured English teacher at North Jackson High, inVice Principals. Throughout the series, Snodgrass isGamby’s romantic interest. She remained a part of the main cast from beginning to end.
Edi Patterson As Jen Abbott
Patterson plays the civics teacher
Edi Patterson was born in Texas City, Texas, in 1974. She first broke out with the role of Veronica in the Kelsey Grammer/Martin Lawrence sitcomPartnersin 2014. The show was canceled after one season.
Patterson’s film roles include Fran inKnives Out, Miss Aimee inTroop Zero, and Shirl Clarts inBetween Two Ferns: The Movie. She voiced Katherine Harbor in the Netflix thrillerThe Guilty. She also played Wanda Whipple in theKnucklesspin-off series.
InVice Principals, Patterson playsNorth Jackson’s civics teacher Jen Abbott. Abbott is obsessed with Gamby and constantly tries to manipulate him into loving her. Patterson later reunited with McBride to play Judy Gemstone inThe Righteous Gemstones.
Busy Philipps As Gale Liptrapp
Philipps plays Neal’s ex-wife
Busy Philipps was born in Oak Park, Illinois, in 1979. She first broke out with the role of Kim Kelly in the short-lived but widely acclaimed dramedy seriesFreaks and Geeks.TheFreaks and Geekscastfamously launched the careers of many future stars, including Seth Rogen, Jason Segel, Linda Cardellini, Martin Starr, and James Franco.
Philipps has played many high-profile TV roles, like Audrey Liddell inDawson’s Creek, Kacy Corbin inTerminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Laurie Keller inCougar Town, and Summer Dutkowsky inGirls5eva. In films, she’s played Duffy inThe Gift, Jane inI Feel Pretty, and Mrs. George in the musical reimagining ofMean Girls. She also hosted her own talk show,Busy Tonight, on the E! network.
Philipps has a key role in theVice Principalscast asNeal’s ex-wife, Gale Liptrapp. Gale tries to get along with her ex-husband, but Neal makes it extremely difficult. Still, they can put their differences aside for the sake of their daughter, Janelle.
Shea Whigham As Ray Liptrapp
Whigham plays Gale’s new husband
Shea Whigham was born in Tallahassee, Florida, in 1969. He first achieved fame with the role of Eli Thompson in the HBO crime dramaBoardwalk Empire. He later played Joel Theriot inTrue Detectiveseason 1 and Moe Dammick inFargoseason 3.
Whigham played Agent Michael Stasiak inFast & Furious,Fast & Furious 6, andF9. He voiced Gwen Stacy’s father George inSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verseand played Jasper Briggs inMission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One. His other film roles include Gus Grissom inFirst Man, Carl Elway inAmerican Hustle, and Captain Ted Beecham inThe Wolf of Wall Street.
Whigham appears inVice PrincipalsasGale’s new husband Ray Liptrapp. Ray is always kind and supportive to Neal, but Neal never reciprocates that kindness. Still, Ray never loses his cool.
Vice Principals Supporting Cast & Characters
Mike O’Gorman as Bill Hayden:Gamby’s rival for Snodgrass’ affections, North Jackson’s history teacher Bill Hayden, is played by Mike O’Gorman. O’Gorman is best known for playing Jacob Brianson inTed Lassoand Luther Tenet in the TV adaptation ofTrue Lies.
Sheaun McKinney as Dayshawn:Sheaun McKinney plays Dayshawn, the cafeteria worker who Gamby often confides in. McKinney has played other TV roles like Malcolm Butler inThe Neighborhood, Karvel inSnowfall, and Wayne inGreat News.
Ashley Spillers as Janice Swift:Janice Swift, the secretary at North Jackson, is played by Ashley Spillers. Spillers played Elizabeth inLast Vegas, Amy inTwo Step, and Olivia in the Netflix comedyFather of the Year.
Susan Park as Christine Russell:Susan Park plays Lee’s wife Christine Russell. Park also played Judy Kim inAlways Be My Maybe, Dr. Sally Hong inLife in Pieces, Connie Chen inFresh Off the Boat, and Linda Park inFargoseason 1.
June Kyoto Lu as Mi Cha:Lee’s overbearing mother-in-law, Mi Cha, is played by June Kyoto Lu. She previously played White Tiger inBig Trouble in Little Chinaand Mrs. Choi inLady in the Water.
James M. Connor as Martin Seychelles:The drama teacher at North Jackson High, Martin Seychelles, is played by James M. Connor. Connor also played Deputy Commissioner Podolski inBrooklyn Nine-Nineand a Subway rep inCommunity.
Robin Bartlett as Octavia LeBlanc:North Jackson’s stuck-up English teacher Octavia LeBlanc is played by Robin Bartlett. Bartlett is known for playing Tina Schildkraut inThe Fabelmans, Bridget Kearns inShutter Island, and Debbie Buchman inMad About You.
Dale Dickey as Nash:Dale Dickey plays Nash, the new principal who takes over in season 2. Dickey also played RoseMarie in the Netflix miniseriesUnbelievableand Beverly in the TV reboot ofA League of Their Own.
Brian Tyree Henry as Dascious Brown:Dr. Brown’s estranged husband, Dascious, is played by Brian Tyree Henry. Henry is best known for playing Paper Boi inAtlanta, Phastos in Marvel Studios’Eternals, and Bernie Hayes in the MonsterVerse.
Fisher Stevens as Brian Biehn:Fisher Stevens appears inVice Principalsseason 2 as Brian Biehn, a successful novelist who begins dating Amanda after she breaks up with Neal. Stevens is best known for his role as Ben in theShort Circuitmovies. He also played Gabriel Kovac inThe Good Fightand Hugo Baker inSuccession.
Vice Principals
Cast
An HBO original television series, Vice Principals, is a dark comedy that follows Danny McBride as Neal Gamby, a short-tempered vice principal hated by the entirety of North Jackson High School. Seeking to take over when his current boss steps down, he has to partner with co-vice principal Lee Russel when both of them are skipped over for the promotion. With an outsider taking the chair, the two conspire to destroy her reputation - while failing miserably.
