Summary
The renaissance of the modern rom-com continues with Netflix’sA Family Affair, which features an impressive cast of notable actors and actresses such as Zac Efron and Nicole Kidman. The 2024 romantic comedy film,directed by Richard LaGraveneseand written by Carrie Solomon, chroniclesthe story of a young woman (Joey King) whose mother (Kidman) enters a relationship with her boss (Efron),much to her dismay. Unfortunately, as teased inthe trailer forA Family Affair, King’s character learns of the scandalous (which is only so due to the couple’s age gap) affair when she walks in on them about to have sex.
Before appearing inA Family Affair, Zac Efron and Nicole Kidman worked together on the 2012 crime dramaThe Paperboy, which also featured them playing lovers.
The trope of an older woman dating a younger man in rom-coms seems to be trending upwards, as the premise ofZac Efron’s new movie sounds quite similar toThe Idea of Youon Amazon Prime Video. However, based on the trailer,A Family Affairseemingly leans more into its comedic roots and the role of the daughter plays a bigger part. Meanwhile,The Idea of You, which starredAnne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine, is fraught with drama.A Family Affairalso arguably includes a more renowned cast of well-rounded and iconic actorsand actresses.
Zac Efron As Chris Cole
Date Of Birth: June 03, 2025
Actor:Zac Efron was born in San Luis Obispo, California, where he grew up before pursuing an acting career when he was a teenager. Efron participated in school theater, but after graduating high school, he started auditioning for (and landing) guest roles on television shows such asFireflyandER. The actor scored his first main role as Cameron in the second season of the WB drama seriesSummerland, butEfron’s breakthrough was undoubtedlyHigh School Musicalon the Disney Channel.Efron played Troy Boltonthroughout the popular musical trilogy, which led to numerous other opportunities in Hollywood.
Summerland
Cameron Bale
High School Musical, High School Musical 2,andHigh School Musical 3: Senior Year
Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile
A Family Affair
Chris Cole
Character:Zac Efron’sA Family Affaircharacter, Chris Cole, isa famous movie star (known for his role in theIcarus Rushfranchise) who begins dating his assistant’s older mother, Brooke.At first glance, Chris is perceived as conceited and self-absorbed, which is why his assistant is so against him dating her mother and inserting himself into their family. However, as time goes on, it becomes clear how much Chris cares about Brooke and vice versa.
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Nicole Kidman As Brooke Harwood
Date Of Birth: July 08, 2025
Actress:Nicole Kidman was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Australian parents who were in the United States on student visas. However, a few years after she was born, Kidman and her family moved back to Sydney, Australia, where she grew up participating in theater and dance. Kidman later dropped out of high school to pursue acting full-time and made her film debut in the Australian Christmas dramaBush Christmasat 16 years old. However,Kidman’s breakout role came when she starred as Rae Ingram inDead Calmin 1989. Since then,Kidman has starred in numerous notable movies.
AquamanandAquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Brooke Harwood
Nicole Kidman won an Oscar for Best Actress for her performance as Virginia Woolf inThe Hoursand an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her role as Celeste Wright inBig Little Lies.
Character:Nicole Kidman stars as Brooke Harwood, Chris Cole’s love interest, in the 2024 Netflix rom-com.Kidman and herA Family Affaircostar Zac Efron share a 20-year age gap, which drives the conflict in the movie (alongside the fact that Kidman’s character is the mother of Chris’ assistant).Brooke is a writer and a widowwho falls for her daughter’s boss.
Joey King As Zara Ford
Date Of Birth: August 04, 2025
Actress:Joey King was born in Los Angeles, California, and began acting at a young age. When she was four, King started starring in commercials before moving on to guest appearances in television shows such asGhost WhispererandThe Suite Life of Zack and Codyas she got older.King’s breakthrough came when she was cast as Ramona Quimby inRamona and Beezusopposite Selena Gomez in 2010. Since then,King has starred in various popular and renowned movies and shows.
Joey King was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for her performance as Gyspy-Rose Blanchard in Hulu’sThe Act.
Ramona and Beezus
Zara Ford
Character:Joey King plays Zara Ford inA Family Affairon Netflix. As mentioned above,Zara is Chris' assistant who is disturbed to learn that her boss is sleeping with her mother, Brooke.Chris often takes Zara for granted and expects a lot from her, which is why King’s character is so against him dating her mother inthe 2024 rom-com.
Liza Koshy As Genie
Date Of Birth: August 24, 2025
Actress:Liza Koshy was born in Houston, Texas, andgot her start on the social media app Vine in 2013after moving to Los Angeles. She accumulated millions of followers on Vine, and after the app was shut down, Koshy moved her content to YouTube, where she continued posting comedic videos. Koshy made her acting debut in 2016 when she starred as Violet Adams in the Hulu horror television seriesFreakish.Koshy has continued to pursue an acting career while also keeping her YouTube active.
Arcee (voice)
Genie
Character:Liza Koshy portrays Genie in the 2024 Netflix romantic comedy.Genie is Zara’s best friend inA Family Affair,who supports Zara when she learns that her nightmare boss is dating her mother. However, Genie starts to feel neglected by her friend as the movie goes on.
Kathy Bates As Leila Ford
Date Of Birth: August 09, 2025
Actress:Kathy Bates was born in Memphis, Tennessee, where she grew up before moving to New York City to pursue a stage career. She worked various odd jobs to make ends meet while playing minor roles in theatrical productions and films. However, Bates started getting recognized for her stage work, including her role as Jessie Cates in the 1983 play’night, Mother,which earned her a Tony nomination for Best Leading Actress in a Play. However,Bates made her movie breakthrough when she starred as Annie Wilkes inMiseryin 1990, which won herthe Oscar for Best Actress.
Thomasin White/The Butcher and Agnes Mary Winstead
Feud: Bette and Joan
Leila Ford
Character:Kathy Bates stars alongsideZac Efron and Nicole Kidman in the 2024 movieA Family Affairon Netflix. Bates plays Leila Ford,Brooke’s mother-in-law and Zara’s grandmother,who is ultimately the voice of reason and wisdom throughout the film.
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A Family Affair Supporting Cast & Characters
Sherry Cola as Stella Poms-Aside from Genie, Zara’s list of friends includes Stella Poms, played by Sherry Cola. Stella is an aspiring playwright who Zara tries to help out by showing her script to Chris. Viewers might recognize Cola from her roles inGood TroubleandJoy Ride.
Zele Avradopoulos as Mila- Zele Avradopoulos' Mila is Chris' maid (and Zara’s confidant) inA Family Affair. Before getting cast in the Netflix rom-com, Avradopoulos appeared inSweet Magnolias, The Other Black Girl,andHillbilly Elegy.
Olivia Macklin as Ashley- Ashley, Chris' girlfriend at the beginning of the movie, is portrayed by Olivia Macklin. Macklin previously starred inThe Young Pope, LA to Vegas, Dead to Me, Filthy Rich,andPretty Smart.
Ian Gregg as Malcolm- Ian Gregg stars as Malcolm, Genie’s boyfriend who she is fighting with, inA Family Affairon Netflix. Gregg has appeared in a variety of television shows, includingThe Resident,Outer Banks, andThe Rookie.
Cast
A young woman discovers her mother is having an affair with her boss, complicating her professional and personal life. As she navigates the emotional fallout, unexpected relationships and family secrets come to light. The film delves into the complexities of love, loyalty, and the ties that bind, offering a blend of drama and comedy as the characters confront their intertwined fates.
