'Where the Crawdads Sing' Cast and Characters

The wait for the movie adaption of Delia Owen's best-selling novel Where the Crawdads Sing is finally over. The mystery-thriller is out in theaters now and fans of the book cannot wait to see the gripping tale play out on screen.

Speaking to Newsweek, director Olivia Newman reflected on what it was like to work with the cast who brought the beloved characters to life.

She shared: "Honestly, I was blessed with a really amazing cast. Daisy [Edgar-Jones] really set the tone. She was so incredibly committed and prepared and really there to do the work and was just an incredible collaborator.

"She was surrounded by a fantastic supportive cast, Taylor John Smith, Harris Dickinson, I couldn't have asked for a finer actor to really capture those very different relationships that she has and Sterling Macer Jr. who played Jumpin, and Michael Hyatt who played Mabel breathe such light into those other characters."

Newman continued: "It really was for me, just a great honor to work with all of them and then David Strathairn, he is such a legend I think we were all in are. When we finally got to the courtroom scenes, it was like watching a play every day."

Meet The Where the Crawdads Sing Cast and Characters

Kya Clark — Daisy Edgar-Jones

Daisy Edgar-Jones leads the cast of Where the Crawdads Sing as Kya Clark.

Known locally as the marsh girl, Kya has grown up in the North Carolina marshes on her own after her family abandoned her as a young girl.

Kya's life takes a turn for better and worse when she meets Tate (played by Taylor John Smith) who teaches her to read and write. However, he is also the cause of her first heartbreak, heading off to university and leaving her and the marsh behind.

When Tate is away, Kya finds herself in court, accused of murdering the popular Chase Andrews (Harris Dickinson).

Speaking to Newsweek, Where the Crawdads Sing director Olivia Newman shared her love for Edgar-Jones' character, Kya.

She said: "We've never really seen a character like this portrayed before on screen. She is incredibly strong. She keeps on pulling herself back up again. But she's also very vulnerable and awkward. She has, this tenderness to her.

"I think that she's really she's really inspiring in that way and that she's able to be absolutely true to herself and still be quite heroic."

Edgar-Jones is best known for her role as Marianne Sheridan in Normal People.

She recently starred opposite Pam & Tommy's Sebastian Stan in the thriller film Fresh and as Brenda Lafferty in Under the Banner of Heaven.

Tate Walker — Taylor John Smith

Newcomer Taylor John Smith stars as Tate Walker in Where the Crawdads Sing, Kya's love interest.

Tate changes Kya's life arguably for the better when they meet as teenagers. His love for Kya is undeniable and he stands by her side throughout her murder trial.

Reflecting on working with Smith, Newman said: "I think Taylor is just a ray of sunshine. He's a warm and genuine human being and he's genuinely curious.

"I remember auditioning him, I felt at the end of it that I had actually been the one auditioning because he asked so many questions and it comes from a place of genuine curiosity and that's what he brought to the character of his work.

"He feels deeply and he's incredibly thoughtful and so when he takes on a role, he's putting his whole heart and soul into it. You really can't ask for anything more."

Smith is best known for his role as John Keene in Sharp Objects, starring alongside Amy Adams.

He has also appeared in the films Wolves, You Get Me, Hunter Killer, The Outpost, and Shadow in the Cloud.

Chase Andrews — Harris Dickinson

Harris Dickinson portrays Chase Andrews, the villain of Where the Crawdads Sing.

To Kya's surprise, Chase takes a romantic interest in her. However, it soon transpires Chase is living a double life and his darker side is revealed when his secrets are exposed by Kya.

The movie begins with Chase's lifeless body lying in the marsh. However, there is very little evidence of how he wound up there, other than suspicions he may have fallen or was pushed from a fire tower.

Kya ultimately finds herself as the main suspect in his death.

Dickinson is well known for his role as Conrad Oxford in The King's Man 3 and as John Paul Getty III in the FX drama Trust.

His other well-known roles include Frankie in Beach Rats, Prince Phillip in Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, and Sam in Clique.

Mabel — Michael Hyatt

Michael Hyatt plays the role of Mabel, who is a mother figure to Kya growing up.

Recognizing something was not quite right with Kya's home life as a child, Mabel saw to it that Kya attend school, and had shoes to wear and food to eat.

Hyatt is well known for her Broadway career and appearing as Brianna on The Wire, Dr. Noelle on Crazy's Ex-Girlfriend, and Sheila on Ray Donovan.

Jumpin — Sterling Macer Jr.

Sterling Macer Jr. plays Jumpin, the caring husband of Mabel who also takes Kya under his wing.

Jumpin sees himself as a father figure to Kya and is heartbroken to learn Kya may be in some sort of trouble with Chase.

Macer's credits include Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story, Park Day, and The Last.

Tom Milton — David Strathairn

Award-winning actor David Strathairn portrays Tom Milton, Kya's lawyer who fights to prove her innocence.

Strathairn, who is the recipient of an Emmy, Independent Spirit Award, and a Volpi Cup as well as Oscar, BAFTA, Critics Choice, SAG, and Golden Globe nominations, has a career dating back to the 1970s.

He is well known for playing Edward R. Murrow in Good Night, and Good Luck, as CIA Deputy Director Noah Vosen in The Bourne films as well as William H. Seward in Lincoln.

Pa — Garret Dillahunt

Garret Dillahunt plays the role of Kya's estranged father.

A World War II veteran, Kya's dad suffered from undiagnosed PTSD. He was also extremely physically abusive towards his wife and children. As a result, his wife left him and one by one, his children did the same, apart from Kya.

Dillahunt's credits include John Dorie in Fear the Walking Dead and Burt Chance in Raising Hope.

He is also well known for starring in Justified, The Mindy Project, Hand of God, No Country for Old Men, and 12 Years a Slave.

Ma — Ahna O'Reilly

Ahna O'Reilly stars as Kya's mother in Where the Crawdads Sing.

Evers since Kya's mom left, Kya dreamed of her returning to the marsh or being reunited with her one day.

O'Reilly is best known for her role as Elizabeth Leefolt in the multi-award-winning film, The Help.

She has also starred in The Morning Show, Kingdom, Bombshell, and Bull.

Where the Crawdads Sing is out in theaters now.