Honestly, it feels like forever ago that we were all debating whether a National Treasure story could actually work without Nicolas Cage’s eccentric energy leading the charge. When National Treasure: Edge of History hit Disney+ back in late 2022, the pressure on the new crew was immense. Fans didn’t just want another treasure hunt; they wanted that specific brand of historical conspiracy and high-stakes puzzling that the 2004 original turned into a cult classic.
The national treasure tv show cast had the impossible task of bridging a fifteen-year gap. They weren't just actors in a new series; they were the "new class" taking over a franchise that basically defined the "guilty pleasure" genre for a generation. While the show ultimately didn't get a second season, the chemistry between the main players—and a few legendary cameos—made it a fascinating experiment in how to reboot a legacy brand.
The New Faces of the Hunt
At the center of it all was Lisette Olivera. She played Jess Valenzuela, a 22-year-old Dreamer living in Baton Rouge. Jess wasn't just a Ben Gates clone. She had a different vibe entirely. While Ben was motivated by family legacy and a bit of "I’m going to steal the Declaration of Independence" madness, Jess was driven by a need to uncover her father's mysterious past. Olivera brought a certain earnestness to the role that made the high-concept puzzles feel grounded.
Then you have the core "friend group." Every treasure hunter needs a tech expert and a skeptic.
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- Zuri Reed as Tasha: She was the social-media-savvy best friend who was constantly suspicious of the government and the FBI. Her dynamic with Jess provided most of the show's modern edge.
- Antonio Cipriano as Oren: Every show needs a goofball. Oren was a sneakerhead who mostly provided comic relief, but his "rollercoaster" relationship with Tasha gave the group some much-needed internal drama.
- Jordan Rodrigues as Ethan: The voice of reason. He was the childhood friend who spent most of his time trying to keep Jess out of trouble, which, in a show about stealing artifacts, is a full-time job.
The Antagonist: Catherine Zeta-Jones Steals the Show
If you’re going to have a villain, you might as well go big. Catherine Zeta-Jones joined the national treasure tv show cast as Billie Pearce, a ruthless black-market antiquities dealer. Seeing an Academy Award winner go toe-to-toe with a group of twenty-somethings was probably the highlight of the series. Billie wasn't a cartoon villain; she was calculated, wealthy, and had a bob that meant business. Zeta-Jones mentioned in several interviews that she loved the "cat and mouse" aspect of the role, and it showed. She brought a level of sophistication that reminded everyone this was still a high-budget Disney production.
Bridging the Gap: The Legacy Cameos
You can't call it National Treasure without some connective tissue. The show handled this by bringing back two heavy hitters from the movies.
Justin Bartha returned as Riley Poole. It was only a guest appearance, but it was essential. Seeing Riley—now a successful (sorta) podcaster and still the same tech-obsessed sidekick—felt like a warm hug for fans of the films. He even dropped hints about the elusive National Treasure 3, which sent the internet into a frenzy for a few weeks.
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And then there was Harvey Keitel. He reprised his role as Peter Sadusky. His character’s presence in the first episode was the catalyst for the entire series. It was Sadusky who gave Jess the first clue, effectively passing the torch from the old guard to the new generation. Armando Riesco also popped up as Agent Hendricks, the guy who famously dismissed Ben Gates in the first movie. It’s those little details that kept the lore intact.
Why the Show Didn't Last
By April 2023, Disney+ pulled the plug. It was a bummer. The show had its flaws—some critics felt it lacked the fast-paced "heist" feel of the movies—but the national treasure tv show cast really did give it their all. The cancellation was part of a broader trend at Disney to trim down their original series that weren't connected to Marvel or Star Wars.
Since the show ended, the cast has kept busy. Lisette Olivera actually joined the cast of the CBS hit FBI for a brief stint in its seventh season. It was a big jump from solving ancient Mayan puzzles to modern-day crime-fighting, but it proved she has the range to lead a major production. Meanwhile, Jake Austin Walker, who played the brooding musician/treasure hunter Liam Sadusky, has continued to lean into his music career, which was a huge part of his character’s DNA in the show.
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What’s Next for the Franchise?
Even though the TV series is done, the dream of National Treasure 3 isn't dead. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has been vocal about wanting Nicolas Cage back for a third theatrical outing. If that ever happens, there’s a small chance we could see some of the TV cast crossover, though it’s more likely the movies will stick to the original formula.
If you're looking to dive back into this world, here are a few things you can do:
- Watch the Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes: There’s some great footage on YouTube of Justin Bartha and the new cast geeking out over the sets. It really shows how much respect they had for the original films.
- Track the Cast’s New Projects: Follow Lisette Olivera and Zuri Reed on social media. They’re both rising stars who are likely to land in more major streaming roles soon.
- Revisit the Original Movies: Honestly, the best way to appreciate the TV show's cast is to see how they tried to replicate that specific "Bruckheimer magic" while adding their own 2020s spin.
The Edge of History might have been a short chapter, but for a brief moment, it made us believe that there were still secrets hidden in plain sight, just waiting for the right person with a puzzle-solving brain to find them.