HBO’s forthcoming mockumentary “7 Days in Hell” is, essentially, a very long Funny or Die sketch in which Andy Samberg’s renegade tennis player Aaron Williams, long retired from the game, comes back for an epic matchup against his nemesis, the moronic but nearly unbeatable Charles Poole (Kit Harington).
In addition to the regular roster of comedians — Will Forte, Fred Armisen, Lena Dunham, Howie Mandel — director Jake Szymanski roped in a surprising number of cameos from actors, athletes and journalists not normally associated with satire, beginning with Harington, who’s best known for playing the über-serious (and controversially mortal) Jon Snow on “Game of Thrones.” Take a look below at some of the other familiar faces you’ll see on your TV screen come Saturday night:
Serena Williams
Serena Williams competes at this year’s Wimbledon tournament.Getty ImagesThe tennis superstar plays it straight as the sister of Aaron Williams, saying their father pulled a “reverse ‘Blind Side’ . . . My dad, he took a white kid and made him play tennis.”
Mary Steenburgen
Mary Steenburgen in “7 Days in Hell.”John P. FleenorThe actress, who plays Charles Poole’s victory-obsessed mother, is better known for her dramatic roles, like Katherine Hale on “Justified.”
Karen Gillan
Karen Gillian with a cropped hairdo at a “Guardians of the Galaxy” event in 2014.Getty ImagesYou may not recognize Gillan as Charles’ model ex-girlfriend; she was last seen with a bald head and blue body paint as a villain in 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.”
Chris Evert and John McEnroe
Former tennis pros Chris Evert (left) and John McEnroe.EPA; John P. FleenorThe tennis legends play themselves as commentators on the Williams-Poole match: “It was nothing short of a miracle,” says the once famously foul-mouthed McEnroe.
Michael Sheen
Michael Sheen as a talk-show host in “7 Days in Hell.”John P. FleenorThe actor, who’s a repellent, beer-bellied sports-talk-show host in “7 Days,” has been known to dabble in comedy (remember his turn on “30 Rock”?) but was most recently seen brooding over Carey Mulligan in the Thomas Hardy drama “Far From the Madding Crowd.”
June Squibb
June Squibb portrays the Queen of England, hat and all, in the film.John P. FleenorShe appears as a bird-flipping Queen of England; you may remember her as Will Forte’s sharp-tongued mother in “Nebraska.”
Soledad O’Brien
Real-life journalist Soledad O’Brien plays herself in the film.WireImageThe journalist plays herself as an interviewer of the astonishingly dumb Charles Poole, who mistakes her for Bryant Gumbel.
David Copperfield
Magician David Copperfield makes a brief appearance.Getty ImagesThe magician turns up as an old drinking buddy of Aaron Williams’. The Las Vegas performer deftly sends up his own image as a dramatic master of the magical arts.



