The halls of Hollywood are often filled with mirrors, but one Stranger Things star found himself trapped in a case of mistaken identity involving a gritty crime drama. The Netflix series Ozark became a global phenomenon for its dark portrayal of money laundering and family dynamics. And turns out, the show’s massive reach was so strong that Joe was confused for a key member of Ozark as well.  

Keery recently shared a hilarious encounter where a legendary actor praised him for Ozark, even when he was never a part of the show.

During an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Joe Keery recalled a confusing moment with Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk. The veteran actor approached him with high praise for his recent work on a major Netflix project by Jason Bateman. However, it quickly became apparent that Odenkirk thought he was speaking to Charlie Tahan from the hit series Ozark.

"Bob Odenkirk thought I was the actor from Ozark. He came up to me and said, 'Man, great job this season'," Joe Keery told host Josh Horowitz. The interaction continued with Keery politely accepting the compliment before realizing the mix-up involved the brother of Julia Garner’s character, as Odenkirk mentioned he is a fan of Ozark.

According to the conversation of the Happy Sad Confused podcast, the actor Odenkirk likely had in mind was Charlie Tahan, who played the role of Wyatt Langmore in the series. Tahan portrayed the sensitive and intelligent brother to Ruth Langmore, a role that earned him significant critical acclaim. Despite the confusion, Keery took the mistake in stride, laughing off the comparison to his fellow Netflix star.

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While he may not be moving to Missouri, the actor has a packed schedule for the coming year.

Joe Keery is transitioning from Hawkins to the big screen with several high-profile film projects scheduled for release. He is set to star alongside Liam Neeson in the sci-fi comedy-horror film Cold Storage, which arrives in theatres on February 13, 2026. Additionally, he will appear in the crime-romance thriller Marmalade as a character named Baron.

The actor is also making waves in the music industry under his solo moniker, Djo. Following the success of his 2025 album ‘The Crux’, he has announced a major tour across South America and Mexico beginning in March 2026. He also reunited with his former band, Post Animal, to contribute to their latest studio album.

Speculation continues to swirl regarding a potential entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well. Rumours suggest he is a top contender for the role of Harry Osborn in the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day. While these reports remain unconfirmed, the sheer variety of his upcoming work ensures he will not be mistaken for anyone else much longer.

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Did you find the similarities between Joe Keery and Charlie Tahan? Let us know in the comments below.