A free Black man from New York is tricked, kidnapped, and sold into slavery in the South, where he endures twelve years of brutal servitude before finding a way to contact his family and secure his freedom.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Avery BrooksSolomon Northup | Solomon Northup |
| RRhetta GreeneJenny | Jenny |
 Mason AdamsFord | Ford |
| EEmory BeasleyAlonzo | Alonzo |
 Kent BroadhurstBass | Bass |
 Lee BryantMrs. Epps | Mrs. Epps |
| CCharles DardenRobert | Robert |
| TTony DreyspoolSenator Soule | Senator Soule |
| AAnthony EdenfieldNed | Ned |
 Art EvansWalton | Walton |
 J. Don FergusonFreeman | Freeman |
| RRalph FlandersCaptain | Captain |
| TTanzia FranksElizabeth | Elizabeth |
| HHarry GeorgeSheriff | Sheriff |
| AAnn Pearl GrayKelsey | Kelsey |
 Janet LeagueEliza | Eliza |
| CCharles McGheeLuke | Luke |
| JJay McMillanHarry | Harry |
 Danny NelsonChapin | Chapin |
| JJohn D. NorthupSherrill | Sherrill |
| RRalph PaceBirch | Birch |
 Petronia PaleyAnne Northup | Anne Northup |
| RRandal PatrickSailor | Sailor |
 J.C. QuinnTibeats | Tibeats |
 John SaxonEpps | Epps |
| GGerhard SchwisowManning | Manning |
 Joe SenecaNoah | Noah |
 Michael TolanHenry Northup | Henry Northup |
| WWillie WoodsShad | Shad |
| DDavid Keith AndersonAlonzo (uncredited) | Alonzo (uncredited) |