The Tyler Perry series,Ruthless, includes a cast of talented actors, some of whom have been in Perry productions before and others new to the universe. Tyler Perry, creator of theMadeafranchise of moviesas well as many more TV shows and films, createdRuthlessas a spinoff ofThe Oval, a BET political drama about the U.S. President and his family.Ruthlesstakes a much darker turn, starring Melissa Williams as Ruth Truesdale, a member of the dangerous and sexually exploitative Rakudushi cult.
When Ruth’s daughter is also brought into the cult,Ruth comes to realize how awful it is and plans her escape. Premiering in March 2020,Ruthlesshas been on for five seasons and the show once again proves thatTyler Perry doesn’t need Madeato create a watchable program. It’s one of the more fantastical and overtly hair-raising Tyler Perry productions and the ensemble cast of actors does an excellent job at making the show’s stakes feel real. While not every actor in the cast is a household name, viewers may recognize many from previous roles.
Melissa L. Williams As Ruth Truesdale
Date Of Birth: July 18, 2025
Actor:Melissa Williams has been acting since 2011, appearing in the short filmAll the King’s Horses. It would not be until 2015 that she would have her first major role, a part in an episode ofThe Gameas Jasmine. Her other notable TV credits include Zaya inHello Cupid 3.0and playing Ruth Truesdale inThe Oval. Williams' film credits include the recurring role of Nina in theDutchmovie franchise.
Dutch II: Angel’s Revenge(2024)
Nina
Character:Ruth Truesdale is the star ofRuthlessand the namesake of the series. Ruth was once a loyal member of the Rakudushi cult, but after a ritual sexual assault at the hands of the Rakudushi, Ruth commits to escaping the cult and saving her daughter and friends while she’s at it.
Matt Cedeño As The Highest/Tyrone Luckett
Date Of Birth: June 26, 2025
Actor:Matt Cedeño began his acting career in 1997, appearing in episodes of the popular TV shows,Life with RogerandBoy Meets World. He’s since played larger roles in other TV shows, likeDays of Our Livesas Brandon Walker,Z Nationas Javier Vasquez, andPromised Landas Tomas Gutierrez. In movies, Cedeño appears inthe cast ofBest. Christmas. Ever!as Valentino andHot Tamaleas Caesar Lopez.
Best. Christmas. Ever!(2023)
Valentino
Character:Matt Cedeño stars as Tyrone Luckett, also known as “The Highest”, the leader of the Rakudushi cult. Enigmatic and charming, Tyrone rules the cult with an iron fist and subjects the members to humiliating punishments and cruel assaults, all in the name of serving the cult.
Blue Kimble As Andrew
Date Of Birth: July 25, 2025
Actor:Blue Kimble is a former football player who played for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League.After his athletic career, Kimble turned to actingand has appeared in numerous TV shows and movies, including films likeBid for Loveas Memphis andNight Hawksas Kentavious. His film roles include a starring role inMonogamyas Sawyer and a supporting role inthe cast ofThe Black Hamptonsas Christopher.
P-Valley(2020-2022)
Rome
Character:Andrew is one of the Highest’s most favored servants and a high-ranking member of the Rakudushi cult.Andrew was originally a mole in the cult, working for the FBI, but he came around to becoming a true believer in the Highest and his way of thinking. Tally (Yvonne Senat Jones) begins an affair with Andrew but is horrified when she learns he was one of the cult members who took part in Ruth’s sexual assault.
Baadja-Lyne Odums As Marva
Date Of Birth: Unknown
Actor:Baadja-Lyne Odums has been acting since 1990,first appearing in the science fiction horror film,Flatliners, as a nurse. She then went on to a long career, mostly appearing in small roles in TV shows likeThis is Usas Ms. Adams,Shamelessas Stella, andMad Dogsas Esmerelda. She has a larger role in the series,The Choir, as Ms. Deborah. Odums' film roles include Gram inJohn Henryand Momma Jackson inTijuana Jackson: Purpose Over Prison.
Tijuana Jackson: Purpose Over Prison(2018)
Momma Jackson
Character:Baadja-Lyne Odums plays Marva inRuthless, an older Elder in the Rakudushi cult. Marva has been with the cult for a long time, and she offers Ruth guidance on how to escape, viewing Ruth as a way to rectify the mistakes of her past.
Michelle Núñez As Zane
Actor:Michelle Núñez has only been acting since 2018, but she’s already appeared in many TV shows and movies. Her notable film credits include Zeka inGray People, Natty inGod’s Waiting Room, and Liz inLooking in the Mirror. Núñez’s TV credits include Orthi inSupersonic Pod Comics, Elena inThe Rookie: Feds, and Celia inDeathless.
The Rookie: Feds(2022-2023)
Elena
Character:Michelle Núñez plays Zane inRuthless, one of the youngest members of the Rakudushi cult. Zane did not have a real family growing up, so she’s immediately attracted to the community Tyrone and the Rakudushi offer her. However,she consistently remains more loyal to the people she loves and respects than the cult itself, and she quickly realizes the problems with the Rakudushi.
Lenny Thomas As Anthony/Dikhan
Actor:Lenny Thomas has been acting since 2014, with Anthony’Dikhan inRuthlessbeing the most significant role of his career. He portrayed the same character in a few episodes ofThe Oval, and he’s also had minor roles in shows likeThe Blacklist,The Punisher, andPandora’s Box: Unleashing Evil. Thomas has also had some minor movie roles in films likeBlood Consciousas Tony andContents Under Pressureas Boon.
Blood Conscious(2021)
Tony
Character:Lenny Thomas plays Anthony, or “Dikhan” as he’s known in the cult, inRuthless. Dikhan is the second highest-ranking member of the cult and other members of the Rakudushi fear him for his constant surveillance of their actions and motives. Dikhan was in a relationship with Tyrone for years but becomes jealous when the Highest begins sleeping with Andrew.
Ruthless Supporting Cast & Characters
Ruthless Has A Supporting Cast Filled With Relatively Unknown But Talented Actors
Alise Willis as Lacey:Alise Willis plays Lacey, a member of the Rakudushi cult. Alise Willis is best known for her roles in the TV showEchoesas Meg and for a brief but memorable appearance as an unnamed character inthe cast ofComing 2 America.
Colin McCalla as River:Colin McCalla plays River inRuthless,a member of the Highest’s inner circle and a source of jealousy for Dikhan. McCalla’s TV credits include playing Marco Galvez inAll American, Connor in9-1-1, and Leif inAnimal Kingdom. In film, he has appeared inThe Classas Max andRileyas Jaeden Galloway.
Where You’ve Seen Robin From Sistas: A Cast Guide To The Tyler Perry Show
Robin from Sistas, played by Austin Scott, is just one of the interesting characters to populate the talented cast of Tyler Perry’s BET drama series.
Stevie Baggs Jr. as Oliver:Oliver, played by Stevie Baggs Jr. is a recurring character inRuthless. Baggs Jr. has appeared in shows likeFinding Happyas Porter,The Gameas Dante Simms, andBMFas Officer Hardy. His film roles include Jeremiah inThe Despaired, Carl inMiss Cleo: Her Rise and Fall, and Simon inVampire’s House of Cain.
Nadège August as Joan:Nadège August plays Joan, a former accountant who was drawn into the cult and becomes a critical part of their operation apparatus, affording her a lot of freedom in the organization. August has played characters in series likeYoung Dylanas Darlene Wilson,Alex, Inc.as Rebecca, andThe Millionairesas Salah. Her film credits includeOut of Timeas Lisa andRaven’s Touchas Angela.
Yvonne Senat Jones as Tally:Yvonne Senat Jones plays Tally inRuthless, Ruth’s best friend and Andrew’s secret lover. Jones' TV credits includeBased on a True Storyas Detective Jessie Peterson,The Crossoveras Janice Rojas-Pierre, andThe Orvilleas Osaia. Her movie roles include Sonya inThe Mother, Laurel inGone in the Night, and Denise King inSneakerella.
