The Shakedown (2024): Full list of cast

Modified Aug 07, 2024 20:29 GMT

Shani Sacks and Julia Anastasopoulos in The Shakedown (Image via Prime Video ZA/YouTube)

Amazon Prime Video's first South African original film The Shakedown is set to release on August 8, 2024. The comedy-drama film features an ensemble of seasoned actors as well as new talents.

The Shakedown follows Justin Diamond, played by Carl Beukes, a rich and respected medical aid broker who's being threatened by his mistress about exposing their affair and soiling his perfect man's reputation.

Justin seeks help from his brother Dovi, played by Emmanuel Castis, a man with connections to the underworld and criminals. Justin's desperation takes him on a dangerous path filled with criminals and chaos.

The film is directed by Ari Kruger and stars Carl Beukes, Emmanuel Castis and Julia Anastasopoulos in the lead. Other cast members include Milton Schorr, James Borthwick, David Isaacs and Berenice Barbier.

Main cast of The Shakedown

1) Carl Beukes as Justin Diamond

Carl Beukes in The Shakedown (Image via Prime Video ZA/YouTube)

Carl Beukes is leading the cast of The Shakedown as Justin Diamond, a wealthy insurance agent whose reputation is hanging by the thread, as his long-time mistress threatens to reveal the secret of their affair.

Carl Beukes is a well-established South African actor who has a career spanning over 26 years. He has worked on many South African and American projects like Hijack Stories, Pure Blood, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, NCIS: Los Angeles and Homeland.

2) Emmanuel Castis as Dovi Diamond

Emmanuel Castis in The Shakedown (Image via Prime Video ZA/YouTube)

Emmanuel Castis plays the role of Dovi Diamond, golden boy Justin's black sheep brother, who thrives in the underworld. Justin takes Dovi's help in desperation to solve his 'mistress' problem, leading to a flood of troubles.

Emmanuel has been working in stage, film and television since 1997. The South African actor of Greek descent gained prominence by playing Cole Harris in the popular soap opera Scandal!.

3) Julia Anastasopoulos as Natalie Diamond

Julia Anastasopoulos performing on stage (Image via @julia_anastasopoulos/Instagram)

Julia Anastasopoulos is a South African illustrator, artist and actress, who plays the role of the backbone of Justin Diamond's perfect family, his wife Natalie.

She raises two kids, unaware of her husband's affair but starts getting suspicious after Justin starts acting weird. Moreover, she buys a shirtless toy man on the advice of her friend.

Julia is also a YouTuber. Her channel, where she vlogs and displays her artistic prowess, is called Sketchbook. She became popular on the internet in 2014 and has been rising through her diverse talents.

4) Berenice Barbier as Marika

Berenice Barbier played Kelly on Revelation Road (Image via @berenice_barbier_/Instagram)

Bernice Barbie is a new talent, making her mark in her big feature film on the streaming platform.

Bernice started her career with a short film a Bloom, where she played Nick's mother. Before getting the role of Marika in The Shakedown, she appeared in a TV Movie Woke and a TV series Revelation Road.

Marika is Justin's mistress who threatens to expose him after getting pregnant and demands 1 million Rand to keep her mouth shut. Justin seeks his underworld brother's help to take care of her, but it turns out that she's the daughter of a mob boss.

5) Milton Schorr as Henko

Milton Schorr in The Shakedown (Image via Prime Video ZA/YouTube)

Milton Schorr is a South African actor with projects like Tomb Raider, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, One Piece and Outlander in his credits. In this film, he plays Henko, Bernice's father's henchman.

Schorr is a multitalented artist renowned for his novel Strange Fish, which won the award for Best Novel at the SA Independent Publisher Awards 2021. He has also received numerous accolades for screenwriting and directing.