Who Plays Cora on ‘The Recruit’? Why Amanda Schull Looks So Familiar

Netflix‘s The Recruit features a stacked cast led by To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before star Noah Centineo. But even the CIA drama’s minor characters, such as an inmate named Cora, will look familiar to viewers.

Though Cora initially seems like a small character, we learn she’s a huge part of the reason why former CIA asset Max Meladze (Laura Haddock) was in jail. We first meet Cora, played by actor Amanda Schull. in Episode 3 and quickly learn about her and Max’s complex past via flashbacks.

So who exactly is Cora on The Recruit? And what do we know about Amanda Schull, the actor who plays her? Here’s everything you need to know about Schull and her crucial character. Warning: Spoilers ahead!

Who Is Cora On The Recruit?

In Episode 3, Max meets Cora in prison and asks her for a phone and help uncovering someone’s identity. As the two start talking, a flashback from three years earlier reveals how they met and landed themselves in prison.

The story? Well, before Max was behind bars she used to run safe houses for those in need. Cora was one of the people Max was providing housing to, and she agreed to rent her the space for two weeks as long as Cora laid low, kept her location a secret, and didn’t have any guests over. Cora agreed to the terms and invited Max to stay and hang out. She was eager to make a friend, but Max declined the offer. Eventually, Cora convinced Max to stay for dinner, and the two became friendly and started opening up about their personal lives.

When Cora’s two weeks were up, she begged Max to let her stay another week and Max caved. When Max came to the house to check in on Cora one day, she learned that Cora broke one of the rules and invited a man named Salvatore over. Max was furious by the betrayal and told Cora and Salvatore they needed to be gone in an hour or she would be back with a gun. Salvatore was visibly dangerous, and Cora looked as though she might need help, but Max was so upset that she left her behind. When Max returned later that day with a gun in hand, she found the house trashed and Cora on the floor unconscious. Salvatore beat Cora and left her for dead, and even though she knew Cora would go to jail, Max called the police so they could save her.

Though Cora was out of Max’s life, Max couldn’t stop thinking about her, so she set out to find Salvatore and get revenge. She tracked him to a gas station and beat him to death in the parking lot, then she stole the bag of cash that he was carrying and stashed it. Max eventually got arrested for Salvatore’s murder, which is how she ended up in jail. Had she not met Cora, Max likely would have continued running her safe house business safely and avoided lockup, but thankfully she was in Cora’s life at a time when she needed saving.

Who Plays Cora On The Recruit? Meet Amanda Schull

If Cora on The Recruit looks familiar, that’s because she’s played by Amanda Schull who’s starred in a number of popular TV shows and movies over the years. Schull is a 44-year-old actress and former professional ballet dancer best known for her breakthrough role as Jody Sawyer in the 2000 film Center Stage. Per her IMDb page, after Center Stage, Schull starred in everything from One Tree Hill to Pretty Little Liars and is also well-known for her roles as Dr. Cassandra Railly on12 Monkeys and Katrina Bennett on Suits.

Schull is scheduled to cameo in a 2023 episode of 9-1-1: Lone Star as Special Agent Rose Casey, and if you want to stay up-to-date with her after The Recruit you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

The Recruit is now streaming on Netflix.