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Home - Character Guides - Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit: Character Guide

Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit: Character Guide

Noted are cast members, information about their character, notable events, organizations, and other details about the show.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted onSeptember 2, 2020 7:43 PMOctober 29, 2021 10:56 PM Hours Updated onOctober 29, 2021 10:56 PM
Title Card - The Queen's Gambit

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.


Additionally, some images and text may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission or receive products if you make a purchase.


  • Groups & Organizations
  • Notable Locations & Items
  • Other Noteworthy Information
  • Where To Watch

Noted are cast members, information about their character, notable events, organizations, and other details about the show.


Please Note: This content contains pertinent spoilers, descriptions are updated as new information is presented, images changed as better ones are captured, and this is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, guest star, or reoccurring role.

General Information

Network(s) Netflix
Creator(s) Scott Frank, Allan Scott
First Aired 10/23/2020

Official Synopsis

Based on the novel by Walter Tevis, the Netflix limited series drama The Queen’s Gambit is a coming-of-age story that explores the true cost of genius. Abandoned and entrusted to a Kentucky orphanage in the late 1950s, a young Beth Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy) discovers an astonishing talent for chess while developing an addiction to tranquilizers provided by the state as a sedative for the children. Haunted by her personal demons and fueled by a cocktail of narcotics and obsession, Beth transforms into an impressively skilled and glamorous outcast while determined to conquer the traditional boundaries established in the male-dominated world of competitive chess.

Groups & Organizations

  • ():

Notable Locations & Items

  • Henry Clay High School (1.2): One of the locations, in Kentucky, that Beth competed in chess.

Other Noteworthy Information

  • ():

[ninja_tables id=”53658″]

Where To Watch

www.netflix.com/QueensGambit


Elizabeth “Beth” Harmon (Anya Taylor-Joy & Isla Johnston)

Beth (Anya Taylor-Joy) as a young adult.
Beth (Anya Taylor-Joy)
Beth (Isla Johnston) as a child.
Beth (Isla Johnston)

An orphaned girl in Kentucky who realizes an incredible talent for chess while developing a dependency on tranquilizers at an early age. As she grows into a young woman, Beth is fueled by her addictions, jeopardizing herself and those around her in her determined pursuit of becoming champion.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About Beth

  • Introduced In Season 1 Episode 1 “Openings” [Series Premiere]
  • Age (1.2): 15 but pretends to be 13
  • Championship (1.5): Becomes the US Championship in 1967
  • When It All Began (1.7): Became an orphan around 9, and that is also when she was taught chess.

Quotes & Gifs

[They were] not pathetic, [they were] was stuck. There’s a difference.
— Beth (1.6)


Mrs. Alma Wheatley (Marielle Heller)

Mrs. Alma Wheatley (Marielle Heller) cheering Beth on.
Mrs. Alma Wheatley (Marielle Heller)

A lonely housewife with an absent husband and her own vices, Alma welcomes Beth as both her adopted daughter and much-needed companion.

Additional Information About Mrs. Wheatley

  • Introduced In Season 1/ Episode 2

Quotes & Gifs

I don’t know why my body is so intent on sabotaging my brain when my brain is perfectly capable of sabotaging itself.
— Mrs. Wheatley (1.3)


Benny Watts (Thomas Brodie-Sangster)

Benny Watts (Thomas Brodie-Sangster)
Benny Watts (Thomas Brodie-Sangster)

Arrogant, confident, and calm, Benny Watts, a young chess talent himself, becomes one of Beth’s greatest opponents as well as one of her closest allies.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About Benny

  • Introduced In Season 1/ Episode 3
  • Record (1.3): Has no losses, but one draw
  • Child Prodigy (1.3): Benny was 8 years old when he started to really become big in the chess world

Quotes & Gifs


Jolene (Moses Ingram)

Jolene (Moses Ingram)
Jolene (Moses Ingram)

Fellow orphan, and host to new residents, Jolene quickly befriends Beth and helps her navigate the rules and regulations of orphan life.

Additional Information About Jolene

  • Introduced In Season 1/ Episode 2
  • Job Prospects (1.7): Is a paralegal saving up for law school.

Quotes & Gifs

You’ve been the best at what you do for so long, you don’t even know what it’s like for the rest of us.
— Jolene (1.7)


I’m not your guardian angel. I’m not here to save you. Hell, I can barely save me. I’m here because you need me to be here.
— Jolene (1.7)


Harry Beltik (Harry Melling)

Harry Beltik (Harry Melling)
Harry Beltik (Harry Melling)

A traditional learner and one of the best chess players in the state of Kentucky, Harry is in awe of Beth’s talent and enters her life when she is at a low point.

[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]

Additional Information About Harry

  • Introduced In  Season 1/ Episode 2
  • Champion (1.2): Is Kentucky’s state champion
  • Teeth (1.5): Gets his teeth fixed – due to his feelings for Beth.

Quotes & Gifs

Anger is a potent spice. A pinch wakes you up, too much dulls your senses.
— Harry (1.5)


Mr. Shaibel (Bill Camp)

Mr. Shaibel (Bill Camp) playing chess with Beth.
Mr. Shaibel (Bill Camp)

A janitor who introduces Beth to the game of chess and is quickly humbled by her natural ability at the game. Mr. Shaibel opens new doors for the young prodigy.

Additional Information About Mr. Shaibel

  • Introduced In Season 1 Episode 1 “Openings” [Series Premiere]

Quotes & Gifs


Vasily Borgov (Marcin Dorncinski)

Vasily Borgov (Marcin Dorncinski)
Vasily Borgov (Marcin Dorncinski)

A Russian world champion who Beth is scheduled to face.

Additional Information About Vasily

  • Introduced In Season 1/ Episode 4
  • It All Began (1.6): Started playing chess when he was 4.

Quotes & Gifs


Ms. Deardroff (Christiane Seidel)

Ms. Deardroff (Christiane Seidel) greeting Liz
Ms. Deardroff (Christiane Seidel)

The headmistress of the orphanage Liz finds herself in after her mother’s death.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In Season 1 Episode 1 “Openings” [Series Premiere]

Quotes & Gifs

After grief brings you low, prayer and faith brings you high. High enough to see a new path for yourself.
— Ms. Deardroff (1.1)


Mr. Ganz (Jonjo O’Neill)

Mr. Ganz (Jonjo O'Neill) watching Liz play chess
Mr. Ganz (Jonjo O’Neill)

A high school chess club mentor who is astounded by Liz’s abilities.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In Season 1 Episode 1 “Openings” [Series Premiere]

Quotes & Gifs


Allston (Patrick Kennedy)

Alma’s husband who works in sales and often is away.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In Season 1/ Episode 2

Quotes & Gifs


Annette (Eloise Webb)

Someone Beth competes against and helps her when she has her first period.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In Season 1/ Episode 2

Quotes & Gifs


DL Townes (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd)

DL Townes (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd) playing chess with Beth
DL Townes (Jacob Fortune-Lloyd)

One of Beth’s competitors who she gets a crush on.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In Season 1/ Episode 2
  • Occupation (1.3): Writes for Chess review
  • Sexual Orientation (1.7): He’s gay

Quotes & Gifs


Manuel (Pablo Scola)

A picture of Manuel (Pablo Scola) that Alma received
Manuel (Pablo Scola)

Alma’s pen pal from her childhood who she meets in Mexico City, in 1966, when Beth has a competition there

Additional Information

  • Introduced In Season 1/ Episode 4

Quotes & Gifs


Georgi Girev (Louis Ashbourne Serkis)

A young boy, a prodigy in the making, who Beth faces in Mexico City.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In Season 1/ Episode 4

Quotes & Gifs

Cleo (Millie Brady)

Cleo (Millie Brady) at a bar with Beth
Cleo (Millie Brady)

A model from Paris, France, and friend of Benny, who befriends Beth and is perhaps one of the first women, her own age, who she spends time with.

Additional Information

  • Introduced In Season 1, Episode 6

Quotes & Gifs


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Listed Under Categories: Character Guides, Series (Character Guide)

Related Tags: Allan Scott, Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Camp, Christiane Seidel, Harry Melling, Isla Johnston, Jonjo O’Neill, Louis Ashbourne Serkis, Marcin Dorncinski, Marielle Heller, Moses Ingram, Pablo Scola, Patrick Kennedy, Scott Frank, The Queen’s Gambit, The Queen’s Gambit: Season 1, Thomas Brodie-Sangster

Amari Allah

Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been writing reviews since 2010, with a focus on dramas and comedies.

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