PILOU ASBAEK AS STEVEN AVERY
The “Game of Thrones” actor’s beard is a perfect fit for the role of Steven Avery. While he hasn’t played a Wisconsinite before — if he can adopt a “GOT” accent, he can do anything.
PAUL DANO AS BRENDAN DASSEY
The “Love and Mercy” actor, while 15 years older than Dassey was around the time of Teresa Halbach’s murder, is our pick to play Avery’s nephew. In “Prisoners,” Dano plays a suspected kidnapper with a similarly low IQ, giving him a leg up on the role.
KYLE CHANDLER AS DEAN STRANG
If Chandler borrows Stephen Colbert’s glasses, he’ll be perfect for the role of Avery’s defense lawyer. Chandler’s reputation for playing morally upright men (“Friday Night Lights”, “Wolf of Wall Street”) would serve him well in portraying one of the few principals in the show who were actually interested in serving justice.
DAVID HYDE PIERCE AS JERRY BUTING
Let’s state the obvious — this casting is perfect. Everything from the glasses to the square chin is similar between Avery’s other attorney and the longtime “Frasier” actor.
JOHN GOODMAN AS ALLAN AVERY
Every time the show depicts the impact of Steven and Brendan’s ordeal on the Avery family, Allan’s will to do whatever it takes to see his son freed steals the show. Goodman sells the role of Avery patriarch on outward appearances, but it’s his talent that would punch home the father’s duty to his family.
KATHY BATES AS DOLORES AVERY
Kathy Bates just played a doting mother in the latest season of “American Horror Story,” so she would be the perfect fit for the role of Steven’s mom, who stayed ever by his side, and for whom we all felt sorry throughout the series.
ERIC STONESTREET AS KEN KRATZ
It may seem harsh to cast the hilarious Eric Stonestreet as prosecutor Ken Kratz, but the actor has proven he can take on series roles, like his turns in “American Horror Story” and “The Loft.”
TONYA HARDING AS BARB JANDA
OK, we’re kind of cheating a little here, but you have to admit the resemblance is spot-on. There’s no doubt Harding has known something of a hard life, and she may surprise us all with a gritty portrayal of a mother fighting for her son’s freedom. Hey, if Ronda Rousey can play Patrick Swayze…
RASHIDA JONES AS ANGENETTE LEVY
Many fans have taken to social media to point out the physical similarities between reporter Angenette Levy, who asked “the tough questions,” and the former “Parks and Recreation” star.
MIKE MYERS AS LT. ANDREW COLBORN
It would require from Myers the most subdued performance of his career, but a grave role like that of the Manitowoc cop accused of planting evidence could mark a surprise second act for the comedian as a serious actor. Either way, he can practically coast on the resemblance that a cropped haircut would give him.
WILLIAM H. MACY AS LEN KACHINSKY
Brendan Dassey’s well-meaning (supposedly) yet ineffectual lawyer was found to have colluded with the prosecution to get his client to confess in return for a lighter sentence. Macy could channel his bumbling Jerry Lundegaard from “Fargo” into the portrayal man who is capable of much more harm than he realizes.
ELISABETH MOSS AS TERESA HALBACH
The role of the tragic murder victim in the case may be a small one for a big name star, but the character would no doubt pop up continually in flashbacks to drive the emotional story forward (think “Twin Peaks”).
MITCH PILEGGI AS JAMES LENK
Best remembered for playing the tough but fair FBI Director Skinner on “The X-Files,” Pileggi could essentially turn that image on its head as Lenk: a seemingly unscrupulous police lieutenant who is viewed as one of the main figures in a conspiracy by the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Department to frame Avery and Dassey.
GARY SINISE AS DET. TOM FASSBENDER
Sinise has a lot of experience playing an investigator (“CSI: NY,” “Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders”), and remember: he was the man who kidnapped Mel Gibson’s son in “Ransom.” So playing a devious detective who practically tricks a teenager into confessing should be right in his wheelhouse.
