The Best of Enemies

Change is worth fighting for

Centers on the unlikely relationship between Ann Atwater, an outspoken civil rights activist, and C.P. Ellis, a local Ku Klux Klan leader who reluctantly co-chaired a community summit, battling over the desegregation of schools in Durham, North Carolina during the racially-charged summer of 1971. The incredible events that unfolded would change Durham and the lives of Atwater and Ellis forever.

Taraji P. Henson

(Ann Atwater)

Sam Rockwell

(Claiborne Paul Ellis)

Babou Ceesay

(Bill Riddick)

Anne Heche

(Mary Ellis)

Wes Bentley

(Floyd Kelly)

Nick Searcy

(Garland Keith)

Bruce McGill

(Carvie Oldham)

John Gallagher Jr.

(Lee Trombley)

Nicholas Logan

(Wiley Yates)

Gilbert Glenn Brown

(Howard Clement)

Caitlin Mehner

(Maddy Mays)

Dolan Wilson

(Councilman Bill Atkins)

Morgan Mackey

(Young Mother)

Kendall Ryan Sanders

(Ben Butler)

Chris Cavalier

(Leonard)

Malerie Grady

(Singing White Woman)

Ryan Dinning

(Jeb)

Najah Jackson

(Operation Breakthrough Staffer)

Bethany DeZelle

(Court Clerk)

David Plunkett

(Mr. Paulsen)

Al Hamacher

(Charles Steele)

McKenzie Applegate

(Vickie Ellis)

Brody Rose

(Timmy Ellis)

Carson Holmes

(Kenneth Ellis)

Nadej K. Bailey

(Marilynn Atwater)

Kevin Iannucci

(Larry Ellis)

Susan Williams

(Nurse Caitlin)

Lucius Baston

(Teacher)

Jeanette Branch

(Principal)

Jessica Miesel

(Doreen (Waitress))

Rachel Bagley

(Local Reporter)

Charles Orr

(NAACP Lawyer)

Tim Ware

(Judge Leslie Hallford)

Jill Jane Clements

(Secretary)

Ned Vaughn

(Wilbur Hobby)

Dawntavia Bullard

(Delores Riddick)

Sope Aluko

(Henrietta Kaye)

Coley Campany

(Charrette Volunteer #1)

Elizabeth Omilami

(Marion Wilson)

Arin Logan

(Peggy)

Kameron Kierce

(Miles)

Charles Black

(Reverend Joseph)

Aaron K Smalls

(Archie Cox)

Hope Leigh

(Charrette Volunteer #2)

Bart Hansard

(Horace Bray)

Jeremy Madden

(Boone Ewell)

Morgan Brown

(Sam Watford)

Robert Harvey

(Earl Weeks)

Cranston Johnson

(Emmett)

Afemo Omilami

(Franklin Mose)

Jack Montague

(Alvin)

Chanté Bowser

(Nurse Bernadette)

Rhoda Griffis

(Nurse Whitney)

Wilbur Fitzgerald

(Fire Safety Inspector)

Shane Jackson

(Robert Jones)

Chanel Young

(Charrette Secretary)

Michael Hyland Cole

(Gas Company Man)

Shane Biseell

(Youth Corps Member)

Annie Cook

(Mrs. Keith)

Rae Olivier

(Caroline Kelly)

Lindsey Moser

(Cashier)

Milton Saul

(Parent / Ann's Army (uncredited))

Timothy Carr

(Police Officer (uncredited))