Whodunit narratives are almost always character-centric in nature, as they explore questions regarding actions and motivations by incorporating characters of different shades in the storyline. Netflix’s latest Thai thriller, Dalah: Death and the Flowers, is no exception in that regard, and boasts an ensemble of characters whose interpersonal relationships and secrets prove to be the key to decoding the central murder mystery.
Dalah Rose Played By Urassaya Sperbund
Thai actor/model Urassaya Sperbund is a popular face on the small screen, having acted in romantic dramas like Game Rai Game Rak, Neung Nai Suang, Kluen Cheewit, and The Crown Princess, to name a few. In Dalah: Death and the Flowers, she portrayed the role of Dalah Rose, the eccentric, chic, mysterious florist whose personal philosophy has been shaped by her mother’s love for floriculture. Dalah stands apart from the crowd, be it through the way she expresses herself or her wardrobe, which exudes the elegance of a gothic heroine. There is an unmistakable grim, macabre aura about her, which is further pronounced by her reserved, taciturn nature and her general unwillingness to socialize. Despite being a civil engineer, Dalah chose floriculture as her profession to honor the memories of her mother, and her connection with her passion is a testament to it. Dalah is shown to have strong observation and deduction skills and is quite a detective herself as she cracks the case of Ohm Uathepa’s murder at the end.
There is a sense of pathos, which is expressed through Dalah’s longing to know her mother and her wish to seek justice for her. Given her past, how her mother became a victim of patriarchal and aristocratic malice, it is understandable why Dalah keeps herself distant from most, and isn’t able to trust anyone at face value. Even though Dalah’s arc comes to a satisfying conclusion by the end of the series, she is interesting enough to make viewers ask to see more of her investigative adventures in the near future. It will also be interesting to see whether Dalah pursues a romantic relationship with Sarath, as hinted at by the series.
Narisa Played By Chayanit Chansangavej
Thai-Chinese actor Chayanit Chansangavej has previously acted in Thai movies like Distance and Supposed—both of which gave her international acclaim. In the series, she plays the role of bride-to-be Narisa Tangsinsup, a victim of the patriarchal values of her family who lacks the courage to speak up against her husband’s heinous crimes. Risa is one of the most tormented characters in the series; she never received the affection she sought from her father, was forced to marry a wretch like Ohm, was entangled in an illicit relationship with her nephew—and her own insecurities prompted her to have a child with the man she abhorred. After all is said and done, Risa might have escaped being a part of the Uathepa family, but there is no telling whether she will be able to find peace in her life ever again.
Ohm Played By Napath Vikairungroj
Thai actor Napath Vikairungroj is known for his performances in series like Petrichor, One Night Stand, and I Told Sunset About You. In the series, Napath portrayed the character of prime ministerial candidate Ohm Uathepa, a horrendous human being who preys on teenage girls while hiding his true face under the garb of promoting feminism as a progressive political leader. As the future of the Uathepa family, Ohm proves he can carry his wretched family legacy of exploitation and coercion forward. Ohm’s murder, which drove the plot forward, accorded the scum an easy escape – wrecking so many lives, the scoundrel deserve harsher punishment.
Ekapop Played By Ron Banjongsang
Thai actor-director Ron Banjongsang has directed a number of acclaimed series like Game Maya, The Opera of Love, etc. In the series, Ron played the role of Ekapop Uathepa, a former political hotshot, who takes it upon himself to ensure the skeletons in the family’s closet remain hidden. Ultimately Ekapop is a pawn in her mother, Amara’s, machination, for whom family prestige is worth more than the lives of her own sons.
Ekasit Played By Amarin Nitibhon
Thai actor Amarin Nitibhon is a popular face on the Thai small screen scene, having acted in numerous dramas like Beauty Newbie, Deep Night, Beyond Destiny, Tales of the Grandmaster, and so on. In the series, he portrayed the character of Ekasit Uathepa, the younger son of Amara, whom he considers to be her family’s disappointment. Ekasit depended upon his elder brother while growing up, but after Ohm’s arrival in the family, he found Ekapop distancing himself to such an extent that he didn’t even hesitate to throw his younger brother under the bus to cover up for his son’s crimes. It was poetic justice in a sense that the pathetic men of the Uathepa family ended up being the reason for each other’s undoing at the end.
Miscellaneous Characters
Dalah: Death and the Flowers boasts a strong supporting cast, portraying young and old generations of both families who have their own secrets to bury. Actor Phuwin Tangsakyuen played the role of Kris, the famous singer and third generation of Tangsinsup who is in a secretive relationship with his aunt, Risa. Actor Praewa Suthamphong played the role of Pam, Ohm’s niece who is courageous enough to speak out against the crimes committed by her family members. Actor Surachai Ningsanond played the role of Kitja, patriarch of the Tangsinsup family, whose old-school values are the reason for the broken family dynamics. Manatsanun Phanlerdwongsakul played the role of Prapha, Kitja’s elder daughter-in-law, who is a straightforward, somewhat vindictive person but ultimately a tragic victim of patriarchal values of her family. Kirana Pipityakorn portrayed the role of Prapha’s teenage daughter, Xinxin, who is also a tragic victim of Ohm’s vile machinations.
