See the Bob Marley: One Love Cast Side by Side with the Real People

Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley

Kingsley Ben-Adir stars as Jamaican singer Bob Marley in the new film, which the actor says was a "dream role." Additionally, Quan-Dajai Henrique stars as teenage Bob Marley, while Nolan Collignon portrays a young Bob Marley in the film.

Speaking with PEOPLE, Ben-Adir revealed he prepped for the role while filming Barbie, including learning how to play the guitar and studying the musician’s Jamaican accent and Patois language on set.

During a Dotdash Meredith Special Screening of Bob Marley: One Love in New York City on Feb. 12, the actor reflected on Marley's inspiring work ethic, telling PEOPLE, "[It was] something I haven't heard or seen of. This is a man who is dedicated to his craft in a way that any other artist can only dream of working as hard as he did at."

Lashana Lynch as Rita Marley

The Marvels actress Lashana Lynch plays Rita Marley, Bob Marley's wife at the time of his death. The couple married in 1966 and welcomed three children together during their relationship. Marley also toured alongside the singer as a member of the reggae vocal group the I Threes. In the film, Nia Ashi also stars as a teenage Rita Marley.

Speaking with PEOPLE at Dotdash Meredith's screening of the film, Lynch said she found many parallels between her and her character, including the fact that they were both of Jamaican descent.

Lynch noted that she was incredibly inspired by Marley's story as she prepped to play her, but was especially moved by her "light" when they met in person. "It's a love that I think transcends time and also is a love that a lot of people on this earth never get to experience, and she has and is still experiencing it now today," she said. "Her upholding this legend's story, his worth, his greatness in the world, I think she's just done so much that I look forward to people being educated about it."

James Norton as Chris Blackwell

James Norton plays Chris Blackwell, a Jamaican-British record producer who helped Bob Marley and the Wailers receive national attention.

Umi Myers as Cindy Breakspeare

Umi Myers plays Cindy Breakspeare, a beauty queen who was in a relationship with Marley, beginning in 1976 and lasting until he died in 1981. During their relationship, she gave birth to a son, Damian Marley, in 1978.

Aston Barrett Jr. as Aston "Family Man" Barrett

In the new movie, Aston Barrett Jr. plays his own father, Aston "Family Man" Barrett, who was the bandleader of Bob Marley's backing band. Barrett Jr. is also the nephew of drummer Carlton “Carly” Barrett.

“I know they had tried to do different versions [of this movie, in the past]. I’d heard rumors,” Barrett Jr. told Paramount Pictures about how his role came about. “But I knew this was serious when I got a call from Cedella Marley. She said, ‘What do you think about acting?’ I said, ‘I never acted before.’ She said, ‘Well, we’re doing a movie. And we want you to play your father.’ I said, ‘Alright, no problem.’ I got the greenlight from her, so I just got on with it.”

He added that it was particularly special continuing his father's legacy following his death in February 2024. “If you really think about this mission a lot of souls have now gone, so it’s been very spiritual," he continued. "The whole experience has been mystical. I can feel Uncle Bob. I can feel everybody. Even though my father isn’t here [on set], I still feel him in spirit. It’s emotional, when you’re shooting scenes, to see the struggles they came through. It’s given us so much more knowledge and understanding [of our fathers].”

David Davo Kerr as Junior Marvin

David Davo Kerr is also portraying his father in the film — Junior Marvin, who was the guitarist for Bob Marley and The Wailers. “What makes this film so special is that not only are we, Bob’s offspring, involved, but there are also the offspring of other musicians involved too,” Ziggy Marley told Paramount Pictures.

“We have Family Man’s son, who is also a bass player, and he’s [playing] Family Man in our movie. We have Junior Marvin’s son on guitar. He’s playing Junior Marvin," he continued. "The guys are real. Nobody is faking it. Them is a part of this. It’s a good lineup, this thing.”

Kerr told Paramount Pictures it was a "dream come true" to play his father. "I’ve always been into acting because of my dad," he said. "He always had a camera. At home, we would do little home videos. And I did Drama growing up. But what makes this special is that I get to relive what he did,"

Anna-Sharé Blake as Judy Mowatt

Anna-Sharé Blake (known professionally as Sevana) plays Judy Mowatt, who was a member of the I Threes, the backing vocalists for Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Naomi Cowan as Marcia Griffiths

Naomi Cowan plays Marcia Griffiths, who was a member of the I Threes from 1974 to 1981. Cowan, who is the daughter of gospel artist Carlene Davis and reggae singer and producer Tommy Cowan, found herself instantly connected to the sons of the real-life Wailers.

Recalling their first meeting, she told Paramount Pictures, “We immediately all clocked that our dads worked together, which is so special. I’d never met any of them, but we clicked on the spot because we had similar experiences growing up. And I think we all also saw ourselves as carrying a heavy mantle — one that we were all honored to carry."

"I’m so proud of those guys because they were so dedicated to ensuring that they were matching their dads’ energies," she continued. "Not just getting the songs right but even playing and moving in the way that they did.”

Hector Roots Lewis as Carly Barrett

Hector Roots Lewis plays Carly Barrett, a Jamaican musician best known for being the drummer for Bob Marley and the Wailers.

Talking with Paramount Pictures about the upcoming film and Marley's impact on pop culture, he explained, “I think this movie is going to show that Bob wrote for more than the people."

"He also wrote for an internal thing that he was trying to satisfy within himself," he added. "Bob was more than just this rock star. He was an artist who was crying out to be healed. Crying out for the world to hear him, sharing something he loved.”

Tosin Cole as Tyrone Downie

Tosin Cole plays Tyrone Downie, who served as the keyboardist and pianist for Bob Marley and The Wailers.

Stefan A. D Wade as Alvin Seeco Patterson

Stefan A. D Wade plays Alvin Seeco Patterson, a Cuban-born Jamaican percussionist who was also a member of The Wailers Band.