See How the Mank Cast Compares to Their Real-Life Counterparts, In Photos

Everyone knows Gary Oldman's a master of disguise; after all, he won an Oscar in 2018 for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in Darkest Hour. Here, he transforms completely into Mankiewicz, a witty, brilliant writer plagued by addiction, self-doubt, and some very questionable cohorts. It's done brilliantly, and just might win Oldman another gold statue.

Viewers of The Crown will recognize the British actor Burke from his role as Princess Margaret's friend and confidante Derek "Dazzle" Jennings, but don't expect any similarities between Jennings and Burke's Welles. He plays the talented, troubled director who's set on having Mankiewicz write his script as a demanding, duplicitous auteur—which may not be entirely historically accurate, but is entirely enthralling to watch.

Mankiewicz might be something of an outsider in the world he inhabits, but he isn't alone. Marion Davies is a movie star and the girlfriend of one of the most powerful men in the world, but she's just as aware of her status as a Hollywood interloper as Mank is—perhaps that's why they seem to appreciate one another. Seyfried gives a brilliant performance as the shrewd, delightful Davies—something the character didn't get from a thinly veiled portrayal as Susan Alexander in Citizen Kane.

Dance is no stranger to playing powerful men; he starred as Lord Mountbatten in recent seasons of The Crown, and played Tywin Lannister in Game of Thrones. Here, he brings his expertise in portraying power to the character of William Randolph Hearst, the tycoon who inspires Mankiewicz's great work—even if the men themselves don't always see eye to eye. (It's worth noting that Hearst's namesake company still owns T&C.)

Legendary movie producer Selznik made classics like Gone With the Wind and Rebecca—and in Mank, the producer, who was also the son-in-law of Louis B. Mayer, stands in for the status-quo Hollywood system that Mankiewicz and Welles are looking to buck.

Hollywood producer Irving Thalberg lived a short life, dying at 37 years old in 1936, but he had an outsized impact on his industry. The whiz-kid producer made movies like Ben-Hur and Mutiny on the Bounty, and today has an Academy Award named after him. He's also been a pop-culture touchstone; he's been portrayed numerous times in film and on TV, and F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Last Tycoon was based on him. Here, Thalberg is portrayed by Kingsley (son of Sir Ben) as a smart, slick, cunning, and charming character worthy of his enduring reputation.

During his lifetime, MGM honcho Mayer was one of Hollywood's most powerful men—something that's on full display in Mank. Howard's Mayer is not only wheeling and dealing when it comes to getting films made (or shelved, when that suits him) but also finds himself involved in a divisive gubernatorial race that featured author Upton Sinclair as a candidate. He's a ruthless reminder that the true power in moviemaking is often operating behind the scenes.