Nathan Fillion as Malcolm 'Mal' Reynolds

Summer Glau as River Tam

Gina Torres as Zoë Alleyne Washburne

Alan Tudyk as Hoban 'Wash' Washburne

Morena Baccarin as Inara Serra

Adam Baldwin as Jayne Cobb

Jewel Staite as Kaywinnet Lee 'Kaylee' Frye

Sean Maher as Simon Tam

Ron Glass as Shepherd Derrial Book

Chiwetel Ejiofor as The Operative

David Krumholtz as Mr. Universe

Michael Hitchcock as Dr. Mathias

Sarah Paulson as Dr. Caron

Yan Feldman as Mingojerry 'Mingo' Rample

Rafael Feldman as Fantastic "Fanty" Rample

Nectar Rose as Lenore

Tamara Taylor as Teacher

Glenn Howerton as Lilac Young Tough

Hunter Ansley Wryn as Young River Tam

Logan O'Brien as Boy Student

Erik Erotas as Boy Student

Demetra Raven as Girl Student

Marley McClean as Girl Student

Jessica Huang as Girl Student

Scott Kinworthy as Ensign

Erik Weiner as Helmsman

Conor O'Brien as Lab Technician

Peter James Smith as Lab Technician

Weston Nathanson as Trade Agent

Carrie "CeCe" Cline as Young Female Intern

Chuck O'Neil as Vault Guard

Amy Wieczorek as Lilac Mom

Tristan Jarred as Lilac Son

Elaine Mani Lee as Fan Dancer

Terrence Hardy Jr. as Mining Camp Boy

Brian O'Hare as Alliance Pilot

Ryan Tasz as Black Room Soldier

Colin Patrick Lynch as Black Room Soldier

Terrell Tilford as News Anchor

Joshua Michael Kwiat as Slovenly Beaumonde Man

Antonio Rufino as Bartender (uncredited)

Linda Wang as Chinese Snake Dancer (uncredited)

Rick Williamson as Bar Guy (uncredited)

Neil Patrick Harris as Screaming Reaver (uncredited)

Matt McColm as Lab Security (uncredited)

Marcus Young as Bar Security (uncredited)

Dennis Keiffer as Bar Guy (uncredited)