Oak Island Cast 2021: The Curse of Oak Island Team and Roles Explained

The Curse of Oak Island Season 8 aired from November 10, 2020, to May 4, 2021, while Season 9 premiered on November 2, 2021, and can be streamed through History Channel platforms and select digital services.

The 2021 lineup of The Curse of Oak Island centers on the Lagina-led team pushing through Season 8’s back half and launching Season 9 that November. Core faces include Rick Lagina, Marty Lagina, Alex Lagina, Craig Tester, Jack Begley, Gary Drayton, Doug Crowell, Charles Barkhouse, Laird Niven, Dr. Ian Spooner, Steve Guptill, Tom Nolan, Billy Gerhardt, Scott Barlow, Peter Fornetti, Terry Matheson, and artifact expert Carmen Legge. Together, they oversee digs in the Money Pit, the swamp “stone roadway,” and the search along the island’s shorelines under ongoing Nova Scotia archaeological protocols.

The Curse of Oak Island 2021 Cast and Roles

Rick Lagina as Team Leader

For fans, 2021 was yet another year of Rick Lagina’s steady hand guiding Oak Island’s patient, methodical approach. A lifelong believer in the island’s mystery, Rick keeps the group focused on incremental wins, from mapping ancient pathways in the swamp to chasing promising wood and metal hits near the Money Pit.

On screen, Rick functions as the quest’s conscience: skeptical when necessary, hopeful when evidence warrants it. During 2021 episodes, he was a constant at the stone roadway investigations and at key archaeological trenches, weighing the historical implications of each find and pressing to connect them to a depositor’s activity.

Career-wise, Rick’s profile is tied to the series itself, where he serves as one of the leading figures behind the Oak Island search effort. His reputation among viewers is built on persistence and respect for the island’s history. His reputation among viewers is built on persistence and respect for the island’s history and those who worked it before.

Marty Lagina as Co-Leader and Financier

Marty Lagina brings the engineering mind, business acumen, and much of the financial muscle that keeps the operation humming. In 2021, his role continued to balance risk and reward-greenlighting digs, allocating resources across swamp, shore, and Money Pit programs, and challenging assumptions with data.

On the show, Marty’s curiosity is matched by pragmatism. He wants results, but he also wants to spend wisely, often pushing for scientific tests before committing to larger excavations. That mindset was crucial to the year’s biggest talking point: environmental sampling that detected elevated concentrations of gold and other metals in the Money Pit area.

Outside the series, Marty is known for his energy-sector background and as the founder of Mari Vineyards in Michigan. His presence gives the hunt both operational structure and the latitude to pivot quickly when a promising lead emerges.

Alex Lagina as Project Manager

Alex Lagina serves as a key member of the Oak Island team, assisting with research, field investigations, and project coordination. In 2021, Alex was a frequent presence at the swamp’s stone features and at the Money Pit’s drilling program, helping translate lab results and survey data into next steps.

As one of the younger members of the team, Alex represents the next generation of Oak Island researchers and treasure hunters. His knack for coordination, especially when multiple teams are running in parallel, keeps timelines tight and communication crisp.

Alex’s career highlights are intertwined with the show, where he’s become a familiar, steady voice in strategy sessions while fielding the unpredictable pace of discovery.

Craig Tester as Engineer and Drilling Strategist

Mechanical engineer Craig Tester oversees much of the Money Pit drilling logic—choosing targets, interpreting depths, and correlating core samples. During 2021, Craig was central to refining borehole plans based on historical maps and new scientific inputs.

His on-screen persona is low-key but invaluable. When a core sample includes old wood, clay, or void-like conditions, Craig’s the one connecting those layers to prior boreholes and known shafts. He’s mindful of budgets and timelines, yet committed to exploring outlier data that could prove decisive.

Craig’s broader career as an engineer and entrepreneur underpins the team’s disciplined approach to subsurface work, an area where Oak Island can quickly become complex and costly.

Jack Begley as Drilling and Research Team

Jack Begley is the relentless field hand always within arm’s reach of the next core sample or sifter tray. In 2021, he logged long hours across the drill pad and the swamp, chasing small artifacts that might connect to larger theories.

Jack’s curiosity fuels many of the series’ laboratory detours—metal fragments, bits of worked wood, or iron fasteners that send the team to experts for answers. Viewers recognize him as Craig Tester’s stepson and a true believer in the long game of the Oak Island search.

His on-show resume is built around persistence: if there’s a pile of spoils to be washed or a trench to be dug for one last look, Jack is there.

Gary Drayton as Metal Detecting Expert

British-born and Florida-based, Gary Drayton remains the show’s “metal-detecting ninja.” In 2021, he continued to sweep beaches, uplands, and the swamp edges, pulling up coins, iron hardware, and curios that keep the timeline debate lively.

Gary’s commentary is part education, part showmanship. When he calls a target a potential “bobby dazzler,” fans listen. He helped benchmark the island’s artifact profile in prior seasons with notable finds including a medieval-style lead cross and period coins, and in 2021 he continued adding context by identifying and triaging metallic hits for lab testing.

Outside of TV, Gary is widely known in the detecting community for high-end beach hunting and historical recoveries, making him one of the franchise’s most recognizable experts.

Laird Niven as Archaeologist

Nova Scotia archaeologist Laird Niven ensures the work follows provincial guidelines. His authority carries extra weight in 2021, with trenches and test pits often hinging on permits, stratigraphic control, and careful documentation.

Laird’s role on the series bridges science and storytelling. He interprets stone features, evaluates artifact contexts, and sometimes imposes hard stops when an area requires archaeological oversight. That push-pull keeps the show grounded and has led to more refined excavations across the swamp and on the island’s historic lots.

Beyond the series, Laird’s professional background in cultural resource management informs how the team approaches sensitive areas, preserving the historical record while pursuing answers.

Dr. Ian Spooner as Environmental Geoscientist

Dr. Ian Spooner of Acadia University became a headline name in 2021 after environmental sampling suggested elevated gold in water near the Money Pit. His scientific approach—collecting and analyzing water and sediment—offered a fresh lens on what might lie underground.

On the show, Spooner’s calm, measured delivery carries weight with both the team and the audience. He doesn’t oversell, but when his data points to something anomalous, he argues for targeted follow-ups. That mindset was critical to shaping the Season 8 and early Season 9 drill programs.

As a career academic and field scientist, Spooner adds rigor. His involvement has broadened the toolkit beyond traditional digging to include environmental proxies that guide smarter excavations.

Doug Crowell as Researcher and Historian

Archivist-researcher Doug Crowell anchors the documentary backbone of the series. In 2021, he kept the paper trail alive—cross-referencing maps, deeds, and shipping records with what the team was uncovering on the ground.

Doug’s value lies in synthesis. He’s the one turning scattered historical references into plausible search grids, often connecting new expert opinions with centuries-old mentions of wharves, roads, or work camps.

In the wider Nova Scotia history community, Doug is known through Blockhouse Investigations, lending additional credibility to the show’s archival pursuits.

Charles Barkhouse as Oak Island Historian

Few people know Oak Island lore like Charles Barkhouse. In 2021, he continued as the team’s on-call historian, interpreting the architectural language of stone alignments, old lot boundaries, and long-gone structures.

Charles’ appearances often end with a clear, sourced takeaway—what a feature likely is, and what it probably is not. That clarity saves time and keeps the search anchored in documented history rather than wishful thinking.

As a longtime Oak Island Tours figure, he also serves as a living link between the modern operation and the island’s many earlier diggers.

Steve Guptill as Surveyor

Accuracy on Oak Island can mean the difference between drilling inches from a void or right into it. Surveyor Steve Guptill’s measurements and mapping in 2021 provided the reference points for nearly every trench and borehole.

Guptill’s precision allowed the Money Pit drill program to track old shafts versus new targets and helped the swamp team record the “stone roadway” with centimeter-grade detail. Those maps feed directly into strategy meetings and archival overlays.

Steve’s surveying background has become indispensable to the production, giving viewers a clear visual record of what the island actually looks like beneath the brush.

Tom Nolan as Surveyor and Nolan Family Representative

Tom Nolan, son of the late surveyor Fred Nolan, brings generational knowledge and on-the-ground savvy. In 2021, Tom was a key presence at the swamp and on Nolan-owned lots, facilitating access and sharing insights from his father’s decades of mapping.

Tom’s perspective helps reconcile old survey notes with modern finds. When a boulder line or roadbed appears, he can often tell you which historical map it echoes and whether it continues beyond the visible stretch.

He stands as both custodian and collaborator, ensuring the search respects the island’s past while still moving forward.

Billy Gerhardt as Heavy Equipment Supervisor

On Oak Island, the excavator is practically a cast member—and Billy Gerhardt is the man in the cab. In 2021, his machines peeled back layers at the stone roadway, cleared trenches for archaeology, and supported shoreline digs.

Billy’s feel for the ground matters. He knows when to finesse a bucket around fragile layers and when to move serious earth. Viewers love the understated moments where Billy quietly solves a problem with a few inches of expert grading.

Off camera, he’s a respected contractor in Nova Scotia. On the show, he’s the backbone of safe, efficient excavation.

Scott Barlow as Field Operations Coordinator

Coordinating heavy equipment, safety, and site builds falls to Scott Barlow. In 2021, he helped plan and execute infrastructure around dig sites—from road improvements to cribbing and cofferdam support.

Scott’s calm, practical presence keeps the operation compliant and on schedule. He’s the logistics whisperer who aligns crews, equipment, and permits so the team can stay focused on discovery.

His experience supporting excavation and site operations helps keep projects moving efficiently.

Peter Fornetti as Team Member

Peter Fornetti, a nephew of the Laginas, continues as an all-purpose utility player. In 2021, he slotted in wherever needed—research support, field assistance, and the unglamorous but essential sifting and cataloging that preserves context.

Fans appreciate Peter’s grounded energy. He listens, he learns, and he shows up ready to haul gear, take notes, or put in time on a long trench.

Peter’s contributions, while often quiet, keep momentum going—especially on days when the island throws the team more questions than answers.

Terry Matheson as Geologist

When the drill hits something interesting, geologist Terry Matheson is there to read the cuttings. In 2021, he was a fixture at the Money Pit, sorting through till, clay, and wood to evaluate whether a zone warranted another hole—or a bigger push.

Terry translates textures and colors into probabilities. Is that wood from a natural deposit or worked timber? Does a change in till indicate an old shaft wall? His calls shape the next round of decisions.

On the series, Matheson’s steady explanations let viewers follow the science of what’s beneath Oak Island without losing the thread of the hunt.

Carmen Legge as Blacksmithing Expert

When iron artifacts turn up, blacksmith Carmen Legge is the phone call. In 2021, his assessments helped date and identify tools, fasteners, and hardware, helping the team identify, date, and better understand metal artifacts recovered during excavations.

Legge’s expertise shines in the small details—forge marks, wear patterns, and design conventions that point to a particular century or use. Those insights feed the evolving theory map, especially when items align with maritime activity.

His role underscores a truth about Oak Island: tiny fragments can carry big timelines, and getting the metallurgy right matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which seasons of The Curse of Oak Island aired in 2021?

The back half of Season 8 aired through spring 2021, and Season 9 premiered in November 2021. The core 2021 cast included Rick and Marty Lagina, Alex Lagina, Craig Tester, Jack Begley, Gary Drayton, Doug Crowell, Charles Barkhouse, Laird Niven, Dr. Ian Spooner, Steve Guptill, Tom Nolan, Billy Gerhardt, Scott Barlow, Peter Fornetti, Terry Matheson, and Carmen Legge.

Did Dave Blankenship appear in 2021?

No. David Blankenship had stepped away from the main series by 2020 and was not part of the 2021 episodes.

Who narrates The Curse of Oak Island?

Robert Clotworthy provides the signature narration for the series, guiding viewers through discoveries, theories, and historical context each episode.

Where can I watch the 2021 episodes?

In the U.S., The Curse of Oak Island airs on History. Availability for past seasons varies by region and platform, but you can typically find episodes via History’s official apps/sites with a TV provider login and through major digital retailers such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play.

Were there any production changes in 2021?

Yes. COVID-19 protocols and travel restrictions continued to influence logistics. The show leaned on Nova Scotia-based experts and strict site procedures, while still advancing work in the Money Pit, swamp stone roadway, and shoreline areas. Recurring guest specialists, including cartographer Erin Helton and others, contributed as schedules and restrictions allowed.