Simmons as George Shultz and Hope Davis as Nancy Reagan. Casting matches the real historical figures without any race, gender, or sexuality alterations to established characters.

This accurate portrayal of white historical figures such as Daniels as Reagan and Harris as Gorbachev avoids any modern identity overlays or forced swaps, keeping the focus on the actual participants and their diplomatic roles at the Höfði site. The narrative centers exclusively on traditional diplomacy, anti-communist themes, and nuclear disarmament talks, with dialogue reflecting era-specific exchanges such as critiques of Soviet dissident imprisonment versus U.S. social issues, presented as balanced historical context rather than activist framing. Incidental supporting roles, including female journalists like Aya Cash's Cleo or the wives, do not drive plot, themes, or character arcs. There are no DEI mandates, lecture moments, or identity politics, resulting in a production that prioritizes historical substance over contemporary messaging.