You know that feeling when you're scrolling through Prime Video and stumble upon a show that looks like a fever dream? That's basically the vibe of Hand of God. It’s a messy, violent, and deeply weird series about a corrupt judge who thinks he's getting orders directly from the Almighty.
Honestly, the show itself was pretty polarizing—critics kind of hated it, but fans who liked dark, psychological stuff really dug it. But the one thing everyone seemed to agree on was that the Hand of God TV show cast was absolutely stacked. When you put Ron Perlman and Garret Dillahunt in a room together, sparks are gonna fly.
The Heavy Hitters: Ron Perlman and Dana Delany
At the center of this chaos is Judge Pernell Harris, played by Ron Perlman. You’ve seen Perlman as Hellboy or Clay Morrow in Sons of Anarchy, so you know he does "menacing but complicated" better than almost anyone. Here, he’s a man on the edge. After his son, PJ, attempts suicide and ends up in a coma, Pernell has a total breakdown. He starts hearing voices through PJ's ventilator and becomes convinced he’s a modern-day King Solomon.
Perlman is incredible because he makes you hate this guy and pity him at the same time. He's a dirty judge, sure, but he's also a grieving father who has completely lost his grip on reality.
Then you have Dana Delany as his wife, Crystal Harris. She’s the anchor. While Pernell is out there losing his mind and joining a questionable strip-mall church, Crystal is trying to keep their social and political life from imploding. Delany plays her with this sharp, "don't mess with me" energy. She’s not just a "suffering wife" trope; she's got her own agenda and a spine of steel.
The Wild Card: Garret Dillahunt as KD
If there’s one reason to watch the show, it’s Garret Dillahunt. He plays KD (Keith Dennison), a born-again ex-con with a hair-trigger temper and some seriously violent tendencies.
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KD becomes Pernell’s "Benaiah"—basically his holy hitman. Dillahunt is a chameleon. One minute he’s being this sweet, simple guy trying to find redemption, and the next, he’s a terrifying force of nature. His chemistry with Perlman is the best part of the show. They’re like two broken gears that somehow fit together perfectly.
The Supporting Players Who Made it Weird
The rest of the Hand of God TV show cast is filled with faces you’ll definitely recognize if you watch a lot of prestige TV:
- Andre Royo as Robert "Bobo" Boston: You probably remember him as Bubbles from The Wire. Here, he’s the mayor of San Vicente and Pernell’s best friend. He’s caught between his political ambitions and his loyalty to a guy who is clearly going insane.
- Julian Morris as Reverend Paul Curtis: Every cult needs a charismatic leader, right? Morris plays the "preacher" of the Hand of God chapel. He’s slick, handsome, and definitely hiding some questionable motives.
- Elizabeth McLaughlin as Alicia Hopkins: She’s the Reverend’s partner-in-crime (and life). She’s just as manipulative as he is, maybe even more so.
- Alona Tal as Jocelyn Harris: She plays Pernell’s daughter-in-law. Her character is the one who actually suffered the trauma that started this whole mess, and Tal does a great job showing the raw, quiet grief that contrasts with Pernell’s loud insanity.
- Emayatzy Corinealdi as Tessie Graham: Pernell's high-end call girl who actually becomes a strange confidante for him. She brings a lot of humanity to a world that feels very cold.
Why the Cast Outshone the Script
Let’s be real: the plot of Hand of God could be a bit much. It was dark—like, really dark. It dealt with suicide, rape, corruption, and religious fanaticism in a way that felt heavy-handed to some.
But the actors? They sold it.
Even when the writing went into "wait, what?" territory, the performances kept it grounded. You believed Pernell’s visions because Ron Perlman looked like he was genuinely seeing ghosts. You felt the tension in the mayor's office because Andre Royo played that "sweating through your suit" anxiety so well.
The show lasted for two seasons on Amazon. While it didn't become a massive cultural phenomenon like The Boys or The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, it remains a cult favorite for people who love gritty character studies.
Where Can You See Them Now?
If you finished the show and want more of that specific energy, the cast hasn't slowed down:
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- Ron Perlman: Recently popped up in Tulsa King (with Dana Delany again!) and continues to be a voice-acting legend.
- Garret Dillahunt: He was a standout in Fear the Walking Dead and showed off his comedy chops in Raising Hope (which is a total 180 from KD).
- Andre Royo: He’s been all over the place, including a great run on Empire.
Is it Worth a Rewatch?
Honestly, yeah.
If you missed it when it first dropped in 2015, Hand of God is worth it just to see these actors work. It’s a masterclass in how a great cast can elevated a weird premise. It’s gritty, it’s uncomfortable, and it’s unlike anything else on streaming.
If you’re looking for your next binge, head over to Prime Video. Just maybe don't watch it right before bed—it’s a bit of a trip.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to dive deeper into this specific genre of "gritty religious noir," you might want to check out The Leftovers on Max or Under the Banner of Heaven on Hulu. They hit some of those same uncomfortable, spiritual notes but with slightly different flavors. You can also follow the main cast on social media, as many of them frequently post behind-the-scenes stories from their time on the San Vicente set.