!["Mare of Easttown"](https://cdn.businessinsider.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/6099778f0dae4.jpg)
Michele K. Short / HBO
- "Mare of Easttown" is HBO's latest juicy prestige drama.
- It stars familiar faces such as Kate Winslet, Guy Pearce, and Jean Smart.
- Below, Insider lists where you might recognize the cast from.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
HBO quietly released its newest juicy prestige drama, "Mare of Easttown," from writer Brad Inglesby ("The Way Back"), back in April and the limited series has confidently snatched audiences' attention.
"Mare," a detective story, centers a 17-year-old mom, who is murdered and left naked on a quarry of rocks in the middle of a Pennsylvanian waterfall.
For the most part, the show traffics the same subtle and clever plotting that one can find in everything from "True Detective" to "Twin Peaks." Yes, it's all dark and depressing, but the show's main departure from the genre is the way in which it carefully weaves through the possible culprits.
Everything is steeped in absolute realism and audiences are provided with a circuitous tour of the blue-collar townships of rural Pennsylvania where the show is set.
Oh, and the cast is stacked. There are stars. Major stars. So below, Insider listed a few places where you may have seen some of the "Mare" actors before.
Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet, best known for her breakout role in 'Titanic,' leads the series
![Kate Winslet](https://cdn.businessinsider.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/60997796dbbfe.jpg)
HBO/Paramount
Kate Winslet is the most recognizable face in the small and incestuous enclave of Easttown. She leads the show as the troubled yet brilliant lead detective, Mare Sheenan.
You will, of course, recognize Winslet from blockbusters such as "Titanic," "Sense and Sensibility," and a personal favorite, "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind."
Here, Winslet is doing some of her best work. "Mare of Easttown" is certainly her best showing on television.
Still, it's not the first time she's worked with the network. The seven-time Academy Award nominee, and one-time winner, previously partnered with HBO for the 2011 limited series "Mildred's Place," which was created by Todd Haynes.
She is also an executive producer on "Mare."
Evan Peters, who plays Mare's assistant detective, has appeared in Ryan Murphy's 'American Horror Story'
![Evan Peters](https://cdn.businessinsider.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/6099779d2c44d.jpg)
HBO/FX
One of the most interesting parts of "Mare" is the way in which many of the traditional gender roles associated with the detective genre are subverted. And not in a glib or careless manner. The changes are carefully and consciously interwoven into the fabric of the story.
Winslet's Mare is the brooding, hard-nosed detective - the role usually given to an older male actor - and Evan Peters, who you will recognize from the weird and wacky world of Ryan Murphy ("American Horror Story," et al.), is the young, inexperienced assistant detective who tries everything to their impress their boss.
Angourie Rice has had supporting roles in 'The Nice Guys' and Tom Holland's 'Spiderman' series
![pjimage (82)](https://cdn.businessinsider.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/609977a7343e4.jpg)
HBO/Warner Bros. Pictures
In the most recent episode of "Mare," before Winslet's character commits a crime causing irredeemable damage to her career, audiences start to learn a little more about her family life. Her daughter, who appears to be a budding documentary maker, is played by Australian actress Angourie Rice.
Rice's recent credits include supporting roles in the Ryan Gosling crime-comedy "The Nice Guys" and Sofia Coppola's Cannes-winning drama "The Beguiled."
Though you will probably recognize her best from the recent "Spider-Man" movies where she stars alongside Tom Holland and Zendaya. She is the witty partner of Holland's side-kick, Ned.
Guy Pearce, who you might know from 'Memento,' plays Winslet's love interest
![Guy Pearce.](https://cdn.businessinsider.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/609977ad570dd.jpg)
HBO/Newmarket
Guy Pearce, another one of "Easttown's" big hitters, has had a long and acclaimed Hollywood career.
You'll probably recognize him best from Christopher Nolan's "Memento" or Curtis Hanson's "L.A Confidential." He also starred alongside Winslet in the aforementioned "Mildred's Place."
In "Easttown," his character is just as dark and mysterious. He arrives in the first episode as an out-of-town author. He has only written one semi-acclaimed book, but oddly later in the series, we learn that he still enjoys a cult of adoring, largely female fans.
He quickly becomes Mare's love interest, which theoretically should absolve him from suspicion. But there's just something about his demeanor. Out of all the characters, he feels the most guilty and has the least to prove his innocence.
You may have seen Jean Smart in the second season of 'Fargo'
![Jean Smart](https://cdn.businessinsider.nl/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/609977b327489.jpg)
MICHELE K. SHORT/HBO/FX
There are many sharp performances in "Mare" that allow the show to avoid the dip into melodrama.
One of the best supporting performances comes from Jean Smart who adds a light yet masterful touch to the proceedings. Smart plays the role of Mare's well-meaning mother.
Just last year, she starred in "Watchmen," another acclaimed HBO drama.
But she is best known for roles in "Sweet Home Alabama," the second season of "Fargo," (the best season of the show), and 2018's "A Simple Favor."
HBO's "Mare of Easttown" airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET and is also streaming on HBO Max.