Unorthodox Cast and Character Guide
A cast and character guide for the Netflix series Unorthodox featuring who plays who, information about each character, and other noteworthy information about the show.
[Unless Said Otherwise] Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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A cast and character guide for the Netflix series Unorthodox featuring who plays who, information about each character, and other noteworthy information 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.
Esther “Esty”
Played By Shira Haas
First Noted In – Episode 1 “Part 1”
Brief Description
The focus of “Unorthodox,” Esty is a 19-year-old woman raised in an ultra-orthodox community in Williamsburg, Brooklyn who, at one time, dreamed of starting a family of her own – especially since she was raised without her mother. However, as she discovered the expectations of women in the ultra-orthodox community, and had issues with her husband spread throughout the community, she decides to leave for Berlin – the place her mother, Leah, ran off to.
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Additional Information About Esty
- She enjoys playing piano
- 1.4: Played piano for 3 years.
- 1.1: Previous to leaving for Berlin, Esty never left New York City.
- Born 12/12/1998
- 1.3: Is told she has vaginismus
- 1.4: Was in school until she was 17
- Is a mezzo sorprano
Malka
Played By Ronit Asheri
First Noted In – Episode 1 “Part 1”
Brief Description
Malka is Esty’s aunt who raised her alongside Esty’s grandmother.
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Additional Information About Malka
- Appears to be Mordecai’s biological sister, as opposed to second wife
Esty’s Grandmother, “Babba,” or Mrs. Schwartz
Played By Dina Doronne
First Noted In – Episode 1 “Part 1”
Brief Description
Esty’s grandmother, Mordecai and Malka’s mother, who is the matriarch of their family and Esty’s safe place. At least until she runs away.
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Additional Information About Esty’s Grandmother
- 1.1: Is from Hungary, originally
Yanky
Played By Amit Rahav
First Noted In – Episode 1 “Part 1”
Brief Description
Esty’s husband who comes from a respectable family and is an utter mother’s boy. Even to the point of speaking to his mother about issues he is having with Esty that most would never speak to their mother about.
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Additional Information About Yanky
- 1.2: Actual name is Jacob, but nickname is Yanky
Mordecai
Played By Gera Sandler
First Noted In – Episode 1 “Part 1”
Brief Description
Esty’s father whose main job is collecting rents. Outside of that, he is a known drinker, and has embarrassed himself on more than one occasion, and is one of the primary reasons Esty wasn’t raised with her mother.
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Additional Information About Mordecai
Quotes
Leah Mandelbaum
Played By Alex Reid
First Noted In – Episode 1 “Part 1”
Brief Description
Esty’s mother who isn’t a native to Brooklyn, but is actual European, and went back to Europe after a sordid marriage to Moredecai.
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Additional Information About Leah
- 1.1: Is in a homosexual relationship in Berlin
- Born 2/14/1976
- 1.4: The first time she has spent time with Esty, without a chaperone, in 15 years
Miriam Shapiro
Played By Delia Mayer
First Noted In – Episode 1 “Part 1”
Brief Description
Yanky’s mother who is perhaps the most vocal and outspoken of any ultraorthodox woman, especially when in mixed company.
[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]
Additional Information About Miriam
- 1.1: Nickname is Mimi
Quotes
Symcha Shapiro
Played By Harvey Friedman
First Noted In – Episode 1 “Part 1”
Brief Description
Yanky’s father who okays the investigation into where Esty went and her retrieval, but doesn’t do or say much throughout the series.
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Additional Information About Symcha
- 1.1: Family owns a jewelry business
Quotes
Moishe
Played By Jeff Wilbusch
First Noted In – Episode 1 “Part 1”
Brief Description
A disgraced member of Yanky’s family, specifically Yanky’s cousin, who dabbles in things he isn’t supposed to. Thus leading to him not being welcomed warmly unless his particular skills are needed or useful – like trying to coerce Esty home.
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Additional Information About Moishe
Quotes
Robert
Played By Aaron Altara
First Noted In – Episode 1 “Part 1”
Brief Description
A German boy who Esty meets when she arrives in Berlin, and seems to have a crush on.
[adinserter name=”Character Guide”]
Additional Information About Robert
Quotes
Dasia
Played By Safinaz Satter
First Noted In – Episode 1 “Part 1”
Brief Description
One of the first friends Esty makes in Berlin, who helps her integrate into her and Robert’s friend group.
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Additional Information About Dasia
- 1.1: Is from Yemen, but grew up in Munich.
Quotes
Yael
Played By Tamar Amit-Joseph
First Noted In – Episode 1 “Part 1”
Brief Description
One of Dasia and Robert’s friends who, with being Jewish, from Israel, helps everyone understand what and where Esty ran from but is also someone who puts Esty most on edge.
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Additional Information About Yael
- 1.1: Played violin in military orchestra
Vivian
Played By Laura Beckner
First Noted In – Episode 1 “Part 1”
Brief Description
A piano teacher who lives in one of Mordecai’s buildings, who taught Esty piano for years in lieu of rent.
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Additional Information About Vivian
Karim Hafez
Played By Yousef Swied
First Noted In – Episode 2 “Part 2”
Brief Description
One of the professors of Chalhulm Conservatory who takes to Esty and tries to help her get into the conservatory.
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Additional Information About Karim
General Information
| Network | Netflix | |
| Creator(s) | Anna Winger, Alexa Karolinski | |
| First Aired | 3/26/2020 | |
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Notable Locations
Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Where most of the flashback are located as we watch Esty begin the process of courtship and get married to Yanky.
Berlin
Where Esty runs off to, and is a citizen of, thanks to her mother.
Chalhulm Conservatory of Music
Where Robert, Dasia, Yael, and others study music.
- Has an 8% acceptance rate
Other Noteworthy Information
- 1.2: The year is 2019 and most of what happens is between 2018 to 2019.
- 1.4: The reason behind why the Ultraorthodox are the way they are is explained.
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