Cast of Maze Runner: Complete Guide to Actors & Characters

Few film franchises spark as much curiosity about a cast’s next moves as The Maze Runner. Since 2014, the trilogy has earned more than $850 million worldwide, launching the careers of Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, and a dozen other young actors.

Movies in franchise: 3 ·
Principal cast in first film: 7 ·
Lead actor: Dylan O’Brien ·
Lead actress: Kaya Scodelario ·
First film release date: September 19, 2014

Six key facts at a glance about the cast and the trilogy.

Who are the main characters in Maze Runner?

The Glade is home to a group of boys — and later Teresa — each with a distinct role. Here are the central figures and the actors who brought them to life.

Thomas – Dylan O’Brien

• Portrayed by Dylan O’Brien in all three films (MovieWeb)

Thomas arrives in the Glade with no memory and quickly becomes the leader. O’Brien’s performance anchors the franchise.

Teresa – Kaya Scodelario

• Portrayed by Kaya Scodelario in all three films (MovieWeb)

Teresa is the only girl in the Glade, connected to Thomas telepathically. Scodelario brought emotional depth to the role.

Alby – Aml Ameen

• Portrayed by Aml Ameen in the first film only (MovieWeb)

As the Glade’s first leader, Alby sets the rules. Ameen did not return for the sequels, with the role written out.

Newt – Thomas Brodie-Sangster

• Portrayed by Thomas Brodie-Sangster in all three films (Looper)

Newt is Thomas’s loyal second-in-command. Brodie-Sangster’s performance became a fan favorite.

Minho – Ki Hong Lee

• Portrayed by Ki Hong Lee in all three films (Looper)

The Keeper of the Runners, Minho is brave and fast. Lee anchored the action sequences.

Gally – Will Poulter

• Portrayed by Will Poulter in the first and third films (MovieWeb)

Gally serves as an antagonist in the first film and later returns. Poulter’s performance evolved from bully to tragic figure.

Ava Paige – Patricia Clarkson

• Portrayed by Patricia Clarkson in all three films (IMDb (full cast))

The head of the sinister organization WCKD. Clarkson brought gravitas to the role.

The pattern: While most of the original Gladers stayed for the entire run, Aml Ameen’s departure after the first film is the only major drop, and two key characters — Gally and Alby — missed one film each.

What is the cast of Maze Runner 1?

The first film introduced audiences to the Glade. The principal cast set the tone for the series.

Principal cast

• Dylan O’Brien as Thomas (IMDb (full cast))
• Kaya Scodelario as Teresa (IMDb)
• Aml Ameen as Alby (IMDb)
• Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Newt (IMDb)
• Ki Hong Lee as Minho (IMDb)
• Will Poulter as Gally (IMDb)
• Patricia Clarkson as Ava Paige (IMDb)

Supporting cast

• Blake Cooper as Chuck (MovieWeb)
• Dexter Darden as Frypan (Looper)
• Jacob Latimore as Jeff (YouTube cast list)
• Joe Adler as Zart (YouTube cast list)
• Chris Sheffield as Ben (YouTube cast list)
• Alexander Flores as Winston (YouTube cast list)

Cameo appearances

• Don McManus as Masked Man (YouTube cast update)

The implication: The first film introduced all the essential characters, establishing the group dynamic that would carry through the sequels.

What is the cast of Maze Runner 2?

In The Scorch Trials, the Gladers leave the Maze behind and face a wider world — and new faces.

Returning cast

• Dylan O’Brien as Thomas (IMDb)
• Kaya Scodelario as Teresa (IMDb)
• Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Newt (IMDb)
• Ki Hong Lee as Minho (IMDb)
• Patricia Clarkson as Ava Paige (IMDb)
• Dexter Darden as Frypan (IMDb)

New characters

• Aidan Gillen as Janson (YouTube cast update)
• Giancarlo Esposito as Jorge (YouTube cast update)
• Rosa Salazar as Brenda (YouTube cast update)
• Jacob Lofland as Aris (YouTube cast update)
• Barry Pepper as Vince (YouTube cast update)
• Nathalie Emmanuel as Harriet (YouTube cast update)
• Katherine McNamara as Sonya (YouTube cast update)

The catch: Aml Ameen’s Alby does not appear in the sequel, marking a significant cast change that altered the group’s dynamic.

Who plays Brenda in Maze Runner?

• Brenda is played by Rosa Salazar (YouTube cast update)

Brenda first appears in The Scorch Trials (2015) as a fierce survivor who guides Thomas through the desert. She becomes a key ally and returns in The Death Cure (2018). Rosa Salazar’s breakout role came later with Alita: Battle Angel (2019) (MovieWeb).

What is the cast of Maze Runner now?

Since the trilogy ended, each actor has taken a different path. Here’s where the main players stand as of 2025.

Dylan O’Brien’s career after Maze Runner

• American Assassin (2017), Love and Monsters (2020), Not Okay (2022), Taylor Swift’s All Too Well short film (MovieWeb)

O’Brien has purposefully avoided being typecast, moving between thriller, comedy, and drama.

Kaya Scodelario’s recent projects

• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales (2017), Crawl (2019), Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City (2021) (MovieWeb)

Scodelario continues to anchor horror and adventure films.

Thomas Brodie-Sangster’s roles

• Game of Thrones (as young Sam), Love Actually (child role), The Queen’s Gambit (2020) (Looper)

Brodie-Sangster has become a sought-after character actor.

Ki Hong Lee’s work

• Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, The Nine Lives of Chloe King, The Stanford Prison Experiment (2015) (Looper)

Lee has balanced TV and indie film roles.

Will Poulter’s career developments

• We’re the Millers (2013), Midsommar (2019), Dopesick series (2021) (Looper)

Poulter earned critical acclaim for his dramatic turn in Midsommar.

Rosa Salazar’s other films

• Alita: Battle Angel (2019), Bird Box (2018) (MovieWeb)

Salazar became a leading action star after playing Brenda.

The pattern: Actors like Dylan O’Brien and Kaya Scodelario have turned franchise fame into long, varied careers.

Across the trilogy, the core cast remained remarkably stable, but several actors joined or left. Here’s a comparison of who appeared in each film.

The pattern: While most of the original Gladers stayed for the entire run, Aml Ameen’s departure after the first film is the only major drop, and two key characters — Gally and Alby — missed one film each.

“He had the right energy for Thomas — that mix of vulnerability and drive.”

— Wes Ball, director (MovieWeb interview)

“Thomas was my first big break. I owe a lot to that role.”

— Dylan O’Brien (Looper interview)

For Hollywood, the Maze Runner cast proved that YA franchises can launch lasting careers — the evidence is in their post-Glade filmographies. For fans, the real story is not just who played whom, but how far actors like Dylan O’Brien and Kaya Scodelario have come since leaving the Maze.

For a more detailed cast breakdown, check out this detailed cast breakdown which also covers the actors and characters.

Frequently asked questions