Lilly Maynard (played by Melissa McCarthy) is a protagonist in The Starling.
A grieving mother and supermarket assistant manager who struggles to cope with her infant's death. She confronts a hostile starling, undergoes therapy with Dr. Larry Fine, and works through guilt and marital strain to eventually reconcile with her husband. Jack Maynard (played by Chris O'Dowd) is a protagonist in The Starling.
Lilly's husband who is institutionalized for severe depression following their daughter's death. He initially refuses therapy and communication, calls Lilly silently, experiences a facility meltdown, and eventually returns home to rebuild their relationship. Dr. Larry Fine (played by Kevin Kline) appears in The Starling.
A quirky psychiatrist turned veterinarian who treats Lilly's injuries and guides her through grief processing. He helps Lilly rehabilitate the starling and confronts her deep-seated guilt regarding her husband's past suicide attempt. Travis Delp (played by Timothy Olyphant) appears in The Starling.
Margie (played by Edi Patterson) appears in The Starling.
Ben (played by Daveed Diggs) appears in The Starling.
Howie (played by Owen Atlas) appears in The Starling.
Alice (played by Emily Tremaine) appears in The Starling.
The Starling (2021) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
Lilly Maynard
(played by Melissa McCarthy) — protagonist
A grieving mother and supermarket assistant manager who struggles to cope with her infant's death. She confronts a hostile starling, undergoes therapy with Dr. Larry Fine, and works through guilt and...
Jack Maynard
(played by Chris O'Dowd) — protagonist
Lilly's husband who is institutionalized for severe depression following their daughter's death. He initially refuses therapy and communication, calls Lilly silently, experiences a facility meltdown,...
Dr. Larry Fine
(played by Kevin Kline) — supporting
A quirky psychiatrist turned veterinarian who treats Lilly's injuries and guides her through grief processing. He helps Lilly rehabilitate the starling and confronts her deep-seated guilt regarding he...
Travis Delp
(played by Timothy Olyphant) — supporting
Margie
(played by Edi Patterson) — supporting
Ben
(played by Daveed Diggs) — supporting
Howie
(played by Owen Atlas) — minor
Alice
(played by Emily Tremaine) — minor
Dr. Manmohan
(played by Ravi Kapoor) — minor
Psych Tech Rosaria Alvarez
(played by Veronica Falcón) — minor
Ralph the Trucker
(played by Scott MacArthur) — minor
Big Daddy
(played by Don McManus) — minor
Fawn
(played by Rosalind Chao) — minor
Dickey
(played by Skyler Gisondo) — supporting
Regina
(played by Kimberly Quinn) — supporting
Sherri
(played by Laura Harrier) — supporting
Hector
(played by Jesse García) — supporting
Velma
(played by Loretta Devine) — supporting
Story Analysis
A grieving mother navigates trauma, external conflict, and marital strain to achieve healing and reconciliation.
