Damon Herriman plays a suspicious character named Lawrence Cole in Prime Video’s “Neagley,” a spin-off of the “Reacher” series. Cole is the enigmatic leader of Echo Canyon Farm, a mysterious community, and his role in the show’s first season is tied to the death of Frances Neagley’s deceased friend. His performance has already drawn attention, and fans of Herriman’s past work will recognize why.
Herriman’s Time on “Justified”
Herriman’s most famous early role came from six seasons on FX’s “Justified.” He played Dewey Crowe, a dim-witted criminal who thought he was tough and smart but was pretty much the opposite. Herriman described the part as “life-changing” and one of the most enjoyable he has ever had. He told Aussie pop-culture site Switch that the role “made a lot more doors open,” particularly in America.
The Ballet Series
Some of those doors led to Starz’s “Flesh and Bone.” There, Herriman played Romeo, a mentally ill homeless man who lives under Claire Robbins’ apartment building. The eight-episode series was gritty and focused on the cutthroat world of professional ballet.
Double Duty as Manson
Herriman’s most remarkable feat came when two separate projects both cast him as the same person at the same time. He played Charles Manson in Quentin Tarantino’s “Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood” and in Netflix’s tragically short-lived series “Mindhunter.” Both shows filmed around the same period.
“There’s no way they’re going to cast the same guy.”
Herriman told Switch that “Mindhunter” came first, with about a six-month lead-up because they had “this incredible makeup they were going to do.” When Tarantino’s audition came, he assumed the studio would recast. But Tarantino didn’t mind that Herriman was already doing it, so Herriman ended up doing both. He called both experiences “amazing.”
The Manson Roles
The Manson roles also carried physical demands. Herriman played Quan Chi, the pale, bald necromancer who resurrects Kano (Josh Lawson) — a role that buried him under heavy makeup and prosthetics. Since “Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood,” Herriman has kept working.
Recent Roles
Herriman’s most recent big-screen role was in Robbie Williams’ biographical musical “Better Man,” where he played Take That band manager Nigel Martin-Smith.
He also appeared in 2026’s “Mortal Kombat 2.” But spotting him there might take some effort.
Cole’s Role in “Neagley”
In the show, Cole’s links to the deceased friend of Frances Neagley play a key role in the first season.
The Career So Far
Herriman has played a dim-witted criminal, a homeless man, a cult leader, a manager, a necromancer, and now a mysterious community leader. That range is part of what makes him worth watching in “Neagley.”
What Comes Next
Herriman has continued to show up in significant projects, from musicals to action movies. Fans of “Neagley” will be watching to see how Cole’s story unfolds, and they already know the man behind the character can handle anything thrown at him.
Source material: “Why Lawrence Cole From Neagley Looks So Familiar,” TVLine.
Get the Notebook.
The day's best stories and every fresh verdict, in plain English, in your inbox by seven. One email a day, no more.