Overcompensatingis a hilarious coming-of-age college TV show featuring an impressive ensemble of comedic actors with a few big names mixed in. Benito Skinner might have grown to popularity for playing Benny Drama online, but he’s certainly made more of an impression with his new Prime Video TV show. His comedy,Overcompensating, centers on a closeted gay young man who tries to maintain his golden boy reputation while coming to terms with his sexualityand reinventing himself at college.Overcompensatinghas raked in mostly positive reviewsfrom critics, and hopefully, it will gain enough traction to receive a second season.
Although Benito Skinner’s Benny is the main character,Overcompensatingis more of an ensemble show. Most of the actors who appear inOvercompensatingare up-and-coming actors with less than 25 credits to their name. However, they quickly prove themselves a capable group that makes the college comedy worth watching. Additionally, thePrime Video original showfeatures a few big-name actors who play minor roles or make cameos.
Benito Skinner as Benny
Date Of Birth: July 23, 2025
Actor:Benito Skinner was born in Boise, Idaho, and the comedian-actor-writer gained a name for his online persona, Benny Drama. As an actor, Skinner got his big break playing Jack Cole Jordan in the dramaQueer as Folk. He created, executive produced, and led the ensemble cast of the semi-autobiographical showOvercompensating.
2022
Jonathan Smith
2025
Character:In Overcompensating, Benito Skinner plays Benny, a closeted gay former football player who leaves Idaho to attend the fictional Yates University. He hopes that he can reinvent himself now that he’s in a new environment.
Wally Baram as Carmen
Date Of Birth: Unknown
Actor:Wally Baram is primarily a writer and producer, and herOvercompensatingrole is only her second time onscreen. Shows she has written on include Brat Chat, What We Do in the Shadows, and Shrinking.
Jogger
2018
Character:In Overcompensating, Wally Baram plays Carmen, an outcast first-year student who desperately wants to fit in.
Adam DiMarco as Peter
Date Of Birth: April 14
Actor:Adam DiMarco was born in Canada, and he started gaining traction as an actor with his roles in The Order and The Magicians, both of which had college settings like Overcompensating. However, his big break is generally considered to be his role as Albie Di Grasso in the cast of The White Lotus.
2016-2020
2019-2020
Albie Di Grasso
Character:ThroughoutOvercompensating, Adam DiMarco plays Peter, a douchey college student and Grace’s boyfriend. He helps look out for Benny at Yates University.
Mary Beth Barone as Grace
Actor:Mary Beth Barone is an up-and-coming actor with very few credits to her name before Overcompensating. She’s performed mostly in short films, and her biggest role to date is Marie in the 2024 movie Sugar Baby.
2023
Marie
2024
Character:Throughout Overcompensating, Mary Beth Barone plays Grace, Benny’s older sister who found herself during her college years. She’s dating Adam DiMarco’s Peter.
Rish Shah as Miles
Actor:Rish Shah was born in Enfield, London, England, and the up-and-coming actor got his big break in 2022 when he played Kamran in the cast of Disney+’s Ms. Marvel. Since then, he has continued to build his portfolio with both comedy and drama films.
Mohammad
Character:In Overcompensating, Rish Shah plays Miles, an athletic British student at Yates University. Benny starts crushing on Miles, but he isn’t ready to act on his feelings.
Overcompensating Supporting Cast & Characters
Holmes as Hailee:Holmes plays Hailee, Carmen’s roommate in Overcompensating. The up-and-coming mononymous actor got her big break playing Kelly Mallet in Call Me Kat and Welcome to Flatch. She also voices Prack the Unstoppable in Krapopolis and plays Melanie in Hacks.
Corteon Moore as Gabe:In Overcompensating, Corteon Moore plays Gabe, the alpha male, macho best friend of Peter. Moore has made a name for himself in the horror genre. His most notable roles include Ellis in thecast ofFrom, Jayden inSlasher, and Mo inTerror Train.
Owen Thiele as George:Throughout Overcompensating, Owen Thiele plays George, an out gay sophomore who attends Yates University. Thiele gained attention for appearing in Taylor Swift’s music videos for “You Need to Calm Down” and “The Man.” He also appears as Q inDollface, David inHacks, and Gigi Charbonier inTheater Camp.
Nell Verlaque as Emily:Nell Verlaque plays Emily, a Yates student from Carmen’s hometown, in Overcompensating. Verlaque is an up-and-coming actor who is known for playing Louise Gruzinsky in Big Shot and Jessica Wright in Thanksgiving.
Connie Britton as Kathryn:Connie Britton plays Kathryn, Benny’s mother, throughout Overcompensating. The famous actress got her big break in the 1995 filmThe Brothers McMullen. She’s best known for playing Sharon Gaines inFriday Night Lights, Rayna Jaymes inNashville, and Diane inSeeking a Friend for the End of the World. Across her career, Britton has received four Emmy nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress and one for Outstanding Supporting Actress.
Kaia Gerber as Esther:Kaia Gerber is a model-turned-actor who debuted on the runway at the New York Calvin Klein Spring/Summer Fashion Week in 2018, and she won Model of the Year at The Fashion Awards the same year. Although she doesn’t have an extensive acting portfolio, Gerber has impressive credits to her name. The actor has played Kendall Carr inAmerican Horror Story, Brittany inBottoms, and Jacqueline Carlin inSaturday Night.
Elias Azimi as Chris:Afghan-Canadian actor Elias Azimi is a new actor who has only one credit prior to Overcompensating. He played Andreas in the 2021 short filmThe Death of a Malevolent Being.
Tomaso Sanelli as Trent:Actor Tomaso Sanelli plays Trent in Overcompensating. Since his 2015 debut, Sanelli has made a name for himself by playing Young Dick Grayson inTitans. Additionally, he played Brett Austin inDetention Adventure, Oscar inHolly Hobbie, and Evan Fletcher inThanksgiving.
Alexandra Beaton as Bridget:Alexandra Beaton is an up-and-coming actor with some notable roles beforeOvercompensating. She plays Regan Winters inBring It On: Cheer or Die, Emily inThe Next Step, and Viv Vacious inPurgatory Jack.
Austin Lindsay as Trey:InOvercompensating, Austin Lindsay plays Trey, Benny’s roommate in the dorms at Yates University. Other than two short films,Overcompensatingis Lindsay’s first role.
Lukas Gage as Sammy: Lukas Gage is an established actor who got his big break playing Scout inScouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypsein 2015. Some of his notable roles include Brandon Darrow inT@gged, Dillon inThe White Lotus, and Lewis inSmile 2. Additionally, he was a season regular in thecast ofYouseason 4.
Megan Fox as Megan:Actress Megan Fox makes a cameo inOvercompensating. Fox made her big break inTransformers, and she’s gone on to appear in notable franchises, includingTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesandThe Expendables. She also plays the titular main character in the cult classic horror-comedy movieJennifer’s Body.
Bowen Yang as Davis:Right off the heels ofWicked’s success, Bowen Yang appears in two episodes ofOvercompensatingas Davis. The actor and comedian is known for being in the cast ofSaturday Night Live. Additionally, Yang has voiced characters inThe Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy,Jentry Chau vs. the Underworld, andMoon Girl and Devil Dinosaur.
James Van Der Beek as Charlie:Famous actor James Van Der Beek appears in two episodes ofOvercompensating. He’s best known for playing Dawson Leery in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s TV showDawson’s Creek. Other notable roles includeDiplo in What Would Diplo Do?, Mox inVarsity Blues, and a fictionalized version of himself inDon’t Trust the B- - - - in Apartment 23.
Charlie XCX as Charlie XCX:Musician Charlie XCX makes a cameo in Overcompensating, and she is also an executive producer and the executive music producer for the Prime Video show.
