Oscar Isaac has added another Netflix project to his expanding list of franchise and prestige credits. After appearing in major titles such as Star Wars and Moon Knight, and more recently starring in Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 Frankenstein for Netflix, Isaac returned to the streamer for the second season of Beef. The new season features a different ensemble, including Carey Mulligan, Charles Melton, and Cailee Spaeny, and Isaac recently explained that he was not immediately sold on the project. What ultimately convinced him was a pivotal moment from the first season.
Isaac said he was intrigued by the opening episodes of Beef, but episode 3 changed his view. The scene that stood out to him showed Steven Yeun’s character, Danny Cho, in a Korean evangelical church service, where singing gives way to a raw emotional breakdown. Isaac described the moment as both moving and funny, and said it captured the unusual tone that made the series special. He praised the show for balancing discomfort, humor, and empathy at the same time.
The actor also highlighted the creative conversations he had with series creator Lee Sung Jin. He said their discussions went beyond the script and felt like a real exploration of the show’s themes. That process, he suggested, made the project feel meaningful rather than routine. In season 2, Isaac plays Joshua Martin, a country club manager whose life becomes complicated when his wife, played by Carey Mulligan, and a younger couple portrayed by Melton and Spaeny witness a heated argument between them.
Beyond Beef, Isaac remains involved in other Netflix-related projects. His film In the Hand of Dante premiered at the Venice Film Festival and features a large ensemble cast that includes Gal Gadot, Gerard Butler, John Malkovich, Martin Scorsese, Al Pacino, and Jason Momoa. In the film, Isaac takes on a dual role, playing both modern-day author Nick Tosches and Dante Alighieri in the 14th century. Netflix has scheduled the film for a theatrical release on June 12, followed by a streaming debut on June 24.
Isaac is also being linked to a broader creative partnership with Netflix through his production company, according to reports. One of the projects in development is The Roman, an eight-episode casino drama from Brian Koppelman and David Levien. The series would cast Isaac as Robert “Bobby Red” Redman, the president of a major hotel casino who tries to protect and expand his power in a high-stakes business world.
The cast of The Roman is expected to include Betty Gilpin, Alec Baldwin, and David Costabile. Gilpin would play Marla Blake, Bobby’s wife and a powerful lawyer with strong connections, while Baldwin would portray Paul “Primo” Clark, a veteran executive and mentor figure within the organization. The series does not yet have a release date.
