Cast & Characters of The Woman in the Yard, Explained

Universal Pictures and Blumhouse, a modern horror combo to be reckoned with, head out to the country for a unique tale of terror in The Woman in the Yard (get your tickets here). Written by first-time feature scribe Sam Stefanak and directed by Jaume Collet-Serra (Jungle Cruise, Carry-On), the film centers around a grieving family stalked by a malevolent entity sitting on the front lawn of their remote farmhouse.

“It’s the story a mother trying protect her kids, even when she doesn’t seem able to protect herself,” producer Jason Blum says in the official studio production notes. “Ultimately, it’s about that parent-child bond and its power, and limits.”

Head below to meet the cast of The Woman in the Yard: the family members and the supernatural threat trying to get inside.

Meet the cast & characters of The Woman in the Yard

Danielle Deadwyler as Ramona

Danielle Deadwyler plays Ramona, a single mother raising two young children — son Taylor and daughter Annie — and gradually recovering from a serious leg injury caused by the recent car accident that killed her husband, David. As she attempts to get back on her feet, both figuratively and literally, Ramona grapples with profound grief and survivor’s guilt, both of which aren’t made any easier by the appearance of a strange and malevolent woman dressed all in black, creeping ever closer to the family’s rural farmhouse.

“It’s strangely, serendipitously connected to my life: my work as an artist, motherhood, the experience of rearing children,” Deadwyler, who also served as executive producer on the movie, states in the production notes. “We find Ramona reeling from grief and her ability to be a mother. And I understand those things. There is something to be learned from the shadows and the dark. And I’ve been interfacing with the dark in my own work, my personal work.”

Where you’ve seen Danielle Deadwyler before: Till, Station Eleven, Carry-On

Russell Hornsby as David

David’s sudden passing leaves behind a gaping emotional hole for Ramon and her children, especially since it was David’s idea to move out to the country in the first place. Without him, the property meant to give them a quieter life seems forlorn and deathly quiet.

“You’re talking about two successful parents and two successful people,” Hornsby explains. “I think part of the reason why Ramona is having such trouble is because you’re looking inside yourself and you’re asking yourself, I made it, I don’t know what I need, I don’t know what to do. And I think those feelings often haunt us. When you have nowhere to turn and no one to talk to, it’s the spirits that grab hold of you.”

Where you’ve seen Russell Hornsby before: Grimm, Suits, The Affair

Peyton Jackson as Taylor

With his father out of the picture and his mother still in the middle of a spiraling depression, 14-year-old Taylor is forced to step up and become the man of the house.

“Taylor is a 14-year-old boy who unfortunately just lost a loved one in his life,” teases Jackson. “He has to take care of his sister and also kind of take care of his mom at the same time. It’s a lot to balance for him. He really just wants to take care of everyone because his mom, unfortunately, is not able to do so in her state of mind. So, he’s kind of taking over as the protector of the house — trying to, at least.”

Where you’ve seen Peyton Jackson before: Young Dylan, The First Lady, American Refugee

Estella Kahiha as Annie

Annie is an innocent 6-year-old girl, unable to fully comprehend why everything in her life has changed so drastically. Despite the neglect she’s experienced from a sullen mother, Annie is quite resilient, as most children are at that age.

“Annie draws, colors, and carries a little penguin stuffy around,” notes Kahiha. “Annie is really strong. Her dad died, so she gets to help her mom with a lot of things because it’s really hard for one parent to take care of kids.”

Where you’ve seen Estella Kahiha before: Will Trent, BMF, Fantasy Football

Okwui Okpokwasili as The Woman

The identity of the titular Woman is part of the film’s mystery, but based on everything we’ve seen so far, her presence doesn’t mean anything good. At first, Ramona thinks the stranger is lost or demented, but it soon becomes clear she may not be of this world. The Woman’s catchphrase of “Today’s the today…” and hints that she enjoys snacking on children are enough to give anyone pause.

“Okwui is both a great actress and a great physical performer,” Collet-Serra says. “She has a striking look and a great presence, where less is more. She barely talks in the movie, but what she says is very poignant. We worked closely to create her movements, her voice, the way she dresses, all of it.”

Where you’ve seen Okwui Okpokwasili before: Agatha All Along, The Exorcist: Believer, The Blacklist

​​​​​​​The Woman in the Yard is now playing in theaters everywhere. Click here for tickets!