‘Verity’ Cast & Characters Guide

What happens when the lines between fiction and reality begin to blur? Based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling psychological thriller, Verity brings the author’s twisted story of secrets, obsession and deception to the big screen.

The new film follows struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh, who is hired to finish a bestselling book series after its author, Verity Crawford, is left unable to complete it. Lowen relocates to the remote Crawford estate to work through Verity’s notes, but while there, she discovers a disturbing autobiographical manuscript filled with shocking confessions involving Verity and her husband. As Lowen grows closer to Verity’s husband, she begins to question what is real, what is fiction and how much of Verity’s story she can actually believe.

Directed by Michael Showalter, Verity opens in theaters on October 2, 2026. Before heading to the theater, get to know the actors bringing Colleen Hoover’s thriller to life, including Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, Josh Hartnett and more.

Looking for something to stream for your next movie night? DIRECTV has plenty of movies to choose from, from recent releases to nostalgic favorites.

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Who Is in the ‘Verity’ Cast?

Here’s a look at the main cast of Verity:

Dakota Johnson as Lowen Ashleigh

Known from: Fifty Shades of Grey, The Social Network, Madame Web, How to Be Single

Dakota Johnson plays Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer who prefers to stay out of the spotlight, a choice that has inhibited her career and kept her from becoming a bestselling author. Lowen is also going through a particularly difficult period in her life, facing financial problems and grieving the recent loss of her mother, whom she cared for prior to her passing.

Things start looking up, however, when she is offered the opportunity to finish a successful book series after the author, Verity Crawford, is left unable to write. The job brings Lowen to the Crawford estate, where she begins digging through Verity’s notes and unfinished work in an attempt to understand the woman whose voice she has been hired to recreate.

But Lowen soon becomes interested in more than just Verity’s fictional writing. After discovering a disturbing autobiographical manuscript among Verity’s belongings, she grows increasingly suspicious of the Crawford family. As she looks deeper, Lowen begins questioning what is true and what has been manipulated, and whether Verity is really the person she appears to be.

Anne Hathaway as Verity Crawford

Known from: Les Misérables, The Devil Wears Prada, The End of Oak Street, The Odyssey

Verity Crawford is a bestselling author whose successful career and seemingly picture-perfect life with her husband, Jeremy, are upended after a serious car accident leaves her unable to walk or speak. Before the accident, Verity was charismatic and ambitious, thriving as both a writer and a wife. The accident flipped her life upside down.

With Verity no longer able to finish her popular book series, Lowen is brought into the Crawford home to take over her work. But the more Lowen learns about Verity, the harder it becomes to reconcile the woman on the page with the one living just down the hall. Discoveries surrounding her marriage, her relationship with her children and the tragedies her family has endured gradually reveal a much more complicated woman than her public image suggests.

Josh Hartnett as Jeremy Crawford

Known from: Lucky Number Slevin, 30 Days of Night, The Black Dahlia, Oppenheimer

Jeremy Crawford is Verity’s charming husband and the person who brings Lowen into the family’s life by hiring her to finish his wife’s bestselling book series. Once part of a seemingly happy and successful marriage, Jeremy is now caring for Verity following her accident while also raising their young son.

Jeremy has also endured devastating losses within his family, leaving him protective of Crew and struggling with grief. When Lowen comes to stay at the Crawford home, Jeremy is warm and welcoming toward her, and the two quickly form a connection that becomes increasingly complicated as Lowen learns more about his marriage.

Although Jeremy initially appears to be a devoted husband and father trying to hold his family together, Lowen’s discoveries raise new questions about his relationship with Verity and how much he knows about the secrets within their home.

Ismael Cruz Córdova as Corey

Known from: In the Blood, Mary Queen of Scots, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Corey is Lowen’s literary agent and former fling. Their relationship never became particularly serious, and the two instead settled into a professional dynamic. Ambitious and opportunistic, Corey sees the potential in having Lowen take over Verity Crawford’s bestselling series and encourages her to accept the job. He helps connect Lowen with the Crawfords, trying to help her achieve the kind of success that has so far eluded her.

Despite his enthusiasm about the career opportunity, Corey is wary of the Crawford family and the tragedies surrounding them. He cautions Lowen about becoming too involved, showing a more protective side to their otherwise complicated relationship.

Brady Wagner as Crew Crawford

Known from: Verity marks Brady Wagner’s first credited acting role

Crew Crawford is the five-year-old son of Verity and Jeremy Crawford. Quiet and observant, Crew has already experienced more tragedy than most children his age, including deaths in the family and the accident that left his mother unable to care for him.

Crew is especially close to his father and remains protective of his mother. He still spends time with Verity despite her condition and occasionally shares comments about her that leave Lowen wondering how much the young boy understands about what is happening inside the Crawford home. As Lowen spends more time with the family, she develops a bond with Crew and becomes increasingly concerned about his well-being.

Tom Galantich as Barron Stephens

Known from: Law & Order, House of Cards, Julie & Julia, The Lennon Report

Barron Stephens is a lawyer for Pantem Press, the publishing company behind Verity’s bestselling books. He works alongside editor Amanda Thomas and represents the legal side of the publisher’s relationship with Verity and Jeremy.

Barron is present when Lowen is approached about taking over Verity’s unfinished series, helping establish the terms of the unusual arrangement and keeping the details surrounding Verity’s condition confidential. Being a bit more reserved than Amanda, Barron generally follows her lead as they present Lowen with the writing opportunity.

K.K. Moggie as Amanda Thomas

Known from: Anna and the King, Mercy, Gotham Knights, The Sleeping Dictionary

Amanda Thomas is a no-nonsense editor at Pantem Press who works with Verity Crawford on her bestselling book series. Direct and professional, Amanda takes charge when the publisher begins looking for another writer to complete Verity’s remaining books after her accident.

When Amanda meets with Lowen and Corey to offer Lowen the job, she explains the unusual circumstances surrounding the opportunity and makes it clear that Verity’s condition must remain confidential, requiring Lowen and Corey to sign nondisclosure agreements before revealing the author’s identity.

Meet the Supporting Cast of ‘Verity’

Beyond the film’s main cast, Verity features a number of supporting actors who help round out Lowen and the Crawfords’ story. The additional cast includes Irina Dvorovenko as Anna, Michael Abbott Jr. as Sheriff Wilson, Clark Carmichael as Deputy Ross, Emily McEnroe as Olivia, Luke Klein as Cole and Lou Martini Jr. as a limo driver.

The film also features a few familiar faces playing themselves. Gayle King, Alex Cooper and Sean Evans appear as part of Verity’s media presence, while Verity author Colleen Hoover makes a cameo as Lin Murphy. More details about these supporting characters and their roles in the story will become available following the film’s public release.

Watch More Anne Hathaway Films With DIRECTV

Anne Hathaway has had a big year on the big screen, and Verity adds another major release to the list. Looking to watch even more of her hit films? From iconic 2000’s rom coms like The Princess Diaries and Ella Enchanted to dramas like Les Misérables and Interstellar, there is plenty of material to revisit.

With DIRECTV, you can find more of Hathaway’s movies and keep up with the latest films, shows and entertainment from home.

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