Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Apple Cider Vinegar!
Netflix’sApple Cider Vinegarincludes an impressive cast of actors, led by Kaitlyn Dever, who create complex characters inspired by the true story of Belle Gibson’s scam. The true crime miniseries adapts the novelThe Woman Who Fooled the Worldby Beau Donelly and Nick Toscano, the two investigative journalists who outed thereal Belle Gibson’s cancer con. Rather than focusing solely on the perpetrator’s rise and downfall,Apple Cider Vinegarcontrasts Belle Gibson’s story with that of an influencer named Milla Blake, who actually had cancer, and Lucy, a cancer patient who fell for Belle’s story.
By theend ofApple Cider Vinegar, the stories of everyone connected to Belle are more important than that of the scammer herself, which makes a powerful statement about victims in true crime stories. Many of these characters are based on real people involved in the story. Luckily, the Netflix miniseries enlists a fantastic cast of primarily established Australian actors who can handle carrying the story.
Kaitlyn Dever as Belle Gibson
Date of Birth: August 15, 2025
Actor:Kaitlyn Dever was born in Phoenix, Arizona, and she got her big break in 2013 when she played Jayden inShort Term 12. The actor is incredibly versatile, showing off her ability to play both comedic and dramatic roles. In 2022, Dever was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for playing Betsy Mallum inDopesick.Kaitlyn Dever’s miniseries trendcontinues withApple Cider Vinegar, with all three true crime shows getting praise from critics.
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Betsy Mallum
Character:In Netflix’sApple Cider Vinegar, Kaitlyn Dever plays the fictionalized version of scammer Belle Gibson, who lied about having brain cancer and stole money meant to be donated to charity. Although she’s the focus of the show, thereal Belle Gibson wasn’t involved inApple Cider Vinegar, and she wasn’t paid for the recreation of her story – a decision that feels respectful of her victims.
Alycia Debnam-Carey as Milla Blake
Date of Birth: July 20, 2025
Actor:Alycia Debnam-Carey was born in Sydney, Australia, and she got her big break acting as Lexa inThe 100from 2014 to 2020. Since then, she’s grown to fame for playing Alicia Clark inFear of the Walking Dead, earning her 2017 and 2018 nominations for Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series at the Saturn Awards.
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Character:InApple Cider Vinegar,Alycia Debnam-Carey plays Milla Blake, a cancer patient who grows to fame for rejecting conventional medicine.Milla Blake’s real-life inspirationis the late wellness blogger Jessica Ainscough, who died of epithelioid sarcoma in 2015. Like Milla, Jessica chose to handle her cancer with nutrition and pseudoscientific treatments. She ran a blog about her journey and held events for people with cancer, promoting alternative treatment methods. However,Apple Cider Vinegardoes take creative liberties, creating a rivalry between Milla and Belle that didn’t exist in real life.
Tilda Cobham-Hervey as Lucy
Date of Birth: June 12, 2025
Actor:Tilda Cobham-Hervey was born in Adelaide, Australia, and she got her big break in 2019, playing feminist icon Helen Reddy in the film I Am Woman. Though she has a small portfolio prior toApple Cider Vinegar, she’s proven her acting abilities.
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Agnes Hart
Character:ThroughoutApple Cider Vinegar, Tilda Cobham Hervey plays Lucy, a fan of Belle, who is living with breast cancer. Unfortunately, due to the influence of the scammer, she rejects medicine in favor of pseudoscience. Unlike other characters in the Netflix, miniseries, Lucy is not based on a real-life person. Instead, she is representative of the millions of cancer patients who fell victim to Gibson. The character offers a voice to the victims instead of just the perpetrator.
Aisha Dee as Chanelle
Date of Birth: June 20, 2025
Actor:Aisha Dee was born in Gold Coast, Australia, and she got her big break with her first role, Desi Biggins inThe Saddle Club. Her best-known role for American audiences will be Kat Edison in The Bold Type. Interestingly, Dee also acted in the cancer-centric dramaChasing Life, where she played the best friend of someone going through cancer.
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Phoebe Rook
Character:InApple Cider Vinegar, Aisha Dee acts as Chanelle, the best friend and manager of Milla, who also takes on Belle Gibson as a client. She ends up blowing the whistle on Belle’s scam, sharing the information with the investigative journalists. Dee’s character is loosely based on a woman named Chanelle McAuliffe, who tipped off reporter Beau Donnelly about the cancer lie. According toThe Sunday Times, McAuliffe wasn’t consulted aboutApple Cider Vinegar, and they got many details wrong.
Apple Cider Vinegar Supporting Cast & Characters
Mark Coles Smith as Justin:InApple Cider Vinegar, Mark Coles Smith plays Justin, Lucy’s husband and an investigative journalist who ends up exposing Belle’s scams. The Australian actor has been acting since 2003. His biggest roles prior toApple Cider Vinegarare Tilly inLast Cab to Darwin, Gary Frazier inHard Rock Medical, and Wayne Dhurrkay inThe Clearing.
Ashley Zukerman as Clive:ThroughoutApple Cider Vinegar, Ashley Zukerman plays Clive, the partner of Belle and her son’s nonbiological father. He represents Belle Gibson’s real-life enigmatic former partner, Clive. Zukerman is an American actor who has been working in the profession since 2004. His biggest roles are Michael Sandrelli inRush, Charlie Isaacs inManhattan, and Nick Good in theFear Streetmovies.
Phoenix Raei as Hek:Phoenix Raei plays Hek, Belle Gibson’s crisis manager, inApple Cider Vinegar. The character is loosely based on Alex Twomey, the real-life Gibson’s PR advisor. Raei is a Persian-born Australian actor who has been performing onscreen since 2014. His best-known Dan inThe Rooster, Roshan Amiri inClickbait, and Dale in thecast ofThe Night Agentseason 1.
What Apple Cider Vinegar’s Title Really Means
Apple Cider Vinegar explores the somewhat true story of Belle Gibson, but the show actually has a deeper meaning that is hinted at in the title.
Susie Porter as Tamara:InApple Cider Vinegar, Susie Porter plays Milla’s mother, who supports her choice to reject medical treatment in favor of alternative options. The Australian actor started acting onscreen in 1996. Her best-known roles are Patricia Wright inEast West 101, Kay inCargo, and The Monkey’s Mask inJill Fitzpatrick.
Richard Davies as Sean:Richard Davies played Sean, an investigative journalist who exposes Belle Gibson, inApple Cider Vinegar. Davies started acting in 1997 and his best-known roles are Max Regnery inThe Saddle Club, Inky in2:22, and Jimmy Proudman inOffspring.
Chai Hansen as Arlo:ThroughoutApple Cider Vinegar, Chai Hansen plays Arlo, the boyfriend-turned-fiance of Milla. The Thai-born Australian actor started acting onscreen in 2012. Hansen’s best-known roles are Ilian inThe 100, Monkey inThe New Legends of Monkey, and Jude inNight Sky.
5 Best Shows Like Apple Cider Vinegar
After watching Netflix’s limited television series Apple Cider Vinegar, starring Kaitlyn Dever, viewers should check out five similar shows.
Matt Nable as Joe:InApple Cider Vinegar, Matt Nable plays Joe, Milla’s father who’s unsupportive of her decision not to get medical treatment. The Australian ruby player-turned-actor started performing onscreen in 2007. His best-known roles are Boss Johns inRiddick, Ra’s al Ghul inArrow, and Detective Sergeant Gary Jubelin inUnderbelly.
Catherine McClements as Julie:Catherine McClements plays Julie, the editor who agrees to publish Belle Gibson’s book, in Netflix’sApple Cider Vinegar. The character appears to be inspired by the former director of the Lantern imprint, Julie Gibbs. Penguin Publishing’s Lantern took on Belle Gibsons’s cookbook. Gibbs left after news of the scam broke in 2015. McClements is an Australian actor who started acting onscreen in 1986. Her best-known roles are Detective Senior Constable Rachel “Goldie” Goldstein inWater Rats, Christin Williams inTangle, and Kate Muir inWeekend with Kate.
