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Most surprising roles from the cast of Homeland

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Emmy Griffiths
TV & Film Editor
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Homeland is finally back on our screens for its sixth season, and after six years of watching the show it almost seems like we know the characters and the actors playing them. But what sort of roles did our favourite cast take on at the beginning of their careers? Find out more about past roles from the stars of the show, some of them might surprise you!

Mandy Patinkin

Mandy is known on Homeland for playing Saul - a calming, fatherly type who mentors Carrie, but what fans may not know is that the actor once played the iconic character Inigo Montoyo in the eighties cult classic The Princess Bride. Yep, good old Saul was once that sword-fighting soft spoken bandit who said the famous line: "My name is Inigo Montoyo, you killed my father, prepare to die!"

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Claire Danes

Claire's character Carrie on the show is a highly intelligent yet troubled woman who struggles with her bipolar disorder, but way back in 1994 the role that made Claire's name was Angela Chase in My So-Called Life. In the show, a red-haired Angela attempts to discover her own identity while dealing with the trials and tribulations of teenage life.

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Morena Baccarin

Before she played Nick Brody's conflicted and bemused wife Jessica, Morena played Inara Serra in the cult Sci-Fi TV show, Firefly. In the show Morena played a 'companion' (part geisha, part escort) while joining in on adventures on the Serenity spaceship. The actress reprised her role for the film based on the show, Serenity.

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SHOWS TO WATCH IF YOU LIKE HOMELAND

Rupert Friend

12 years ago Rupert, who plays Peter Quinn in the thriller TV show, played Mr Wickham in the 2005 adaption of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Does he look familiar? We think the star looks almost unrecognisable with his long hair and soldier uniform!

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F. Murray Abraham

F. Murray Abraham plays Dar Adal, Peter Quinn's handler and black ops specialist in Homeland. However, the 77-year-old has had an incredibly successful career, and shot to fame in the 80s with his role as Italian composer Antonio Salieri in Amadeus. The actor won the Academy Award for Best Actor for the role.

homeland 1© Photo: Rex