The cast of “Mamma Mia!".Photo:Universal/Everett
Universal/Everett
Warning: This post contains spoilers aboutMamma Mia!Fifteen years ago, an instant cult classic was born. Jam-packed with disco-infusedABBAsongs like “Dancing Queen” and “Super Trouper,”Mamma Mia!made a splash when it premiered on July 18, 2008, grossing $611 million worldwide.Set in the mystical Greek islands, the film follows Sophie’s (Amanda Seyfried) journey to find out who her dad is before she marries her fiancé, Sky (Dominic Cooper). In her quest to find her real father, the young bride-to-be invites three possible suitors from her mom’s diary and naturally, drama and iconic musical numbers ensue.With one of the starriest casts in film history,Mamma Mia!sports a long list of Hollywood icons. See what they’ve all been up to since then.
Warning: This post contains spoilers aboutMamma Mia!
Fifteen years ago, an instant cult classic was born. Jam-packed with disco-infusedABBAsongs like “Dancing Queen” and “Super Trouper,”Mamma Mia!made a splash when it premiered on July 18, 2008, grossing $611 million worldwide.
Set in the mystical Greek islands, the film follows Sophie’s (Amanda Seyfried) journey to find out who her dad is before she marries her fiancé, Sky (Dominic Cooper). In her quest to find her real father, the young bride-to-be invites three possible suitors from her mom’s diary and naturally, drama and iconic musical numbers ensue.
With one of the starriest casts in film history,Mamma Mia!sports a long list of Hollywood icons. See what they’ve all been up to since then.
01of 08Amanda Seyfried: Sophie SheridanAmanda Seyfried.Universal/Everett, Michael Loccisano/GettyRosy-cheeked and mischievous,Amanda Seyfriedeffortlessly took on the lead role. Opening the movie with “Honey Honey,” Seyfried providedMamma Mia!its hook. The actress reprised the role in the film’s sequel, and evenjoked about the possibility of a third, telling Stephen Colbert, “Definitely thirdMamma Mia!, definitely no third child.“While Seyfried has taken on a variety of roles since the jukebox hit, she recently portrayed the conniving and tacticalElizabeth Holmesin Hulu’sThe Dropout. She also returned to the movie musical genre with her work in 2012’sLes Misérables, where she played Cosette.Her personal life is a lot less dramatic. In 2017, the actresseloped with her now-husband, Thomas Sadoski. The couple has since welcomedtwo kids: daughter Nina and son Thomas Jr.
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Amanda Seyfried: Sophie Sheridan
Amanda Seyfried.Universal/Everett, Michael Loccisano/Getty
Universal/Everett, Michael Loccisano/Getty
Rosy-cheeked and mischievous,Amanda Seyfriedeffortlessly took on the lead role. Opening the movie with “Honey Honey,” Seyfried providedMamma Mia!its hook. The actress reprised the role in the film’s sequel, and evenjoked about the possibility of a third, telling Stephen Colbert, “Definitely thirdMamma Mia!, definitely no third child.”
While Seyfried has taken on a variety of roles since the jukebox hit, she recently portrayed the conniving and tacticalElizabeth Holmesin Hulu’sThe Dropout. She also returned to the movie musical genre with her work in 2012’sLes Misérables, where she played Cosette.
Her personal life is a lot less dramatic. In 2017, the actresseloped with her now-husband, Thomas Sadoski. The couple has since welcomedtwo kids: daughter Nina and son Thomas Jr.
02of 08Meryl Streep: Donna SheridanMeryl Streep.Universal/Everett, Jemal Countess/WireImagePlaying the loyal but anxious Donna, fans of the film can’t forget howMeryl Streep— in those classic denim overalls — belted it’s titular song. While she only appeared briefly in the film’s sequelMamma Mia! Here We Go Again, franchise creator Judy Craymer teased that Streep wouldreturn for a third film“if the script is right.”Since 2008, Streep has continued to expand her sprawling list of critical and box office hits. Some highlights includeDoubt,Julie & Julia,The Iron Lady,Into the Woods,Florence Foster Jenkins,Don’t Look Up, and the second season ofBig Little Lies.Streep’skidshave also ventured into acting with daughterLouisa Jacobsonstarring in Max’sThe Gilded Ageand Mamie Gummer starring in 2021’sSeparation.
02of 08
Meryl Streep: Donna Sheridan
Meryl Streep.Universal/Everett, Jemal Countess/WireImage
Universal/Everett, Jemal Countess/WireImage
Playing the loyal but anxious Donna, fans of the film can’t forget howMeryl Streep— in those classic denim overalls — belted it’s titular song. While she only appeared briefly in the film’s sequelMamma Mia! Here We Go Again, franchise creator Judy Craymer teased that Streep wouldreturn for a third film“if the script is right.”
Since 2008, Streep has continued to expand her sprawling list of critical and box office hits. Some highlights includeDoubt,Julie & Julia,The Iron Lady,Into the Woods,Florence Foster Jenkins,Don’t Look Up, and the second season ofBig Little Lies.
Streep’skidshave also ventured into acting with daughterLouisa Jacobsonstarring in Max’sThe Gilded Ageand Mamie Gummer starring in 2021’sSeparation.
03of 08Pierce Brosnan: Sam CarmichaelPierce Brosnan.Universal/Everett, Steve Granitz/FilmMagicEnter our leading man. Playing the charismatic Sam Carmichael,Pierce Brosnantook the mantle as Streep’s leading love interest inMamma Mia!andMamma Mia! Here We Go Again. As he belted out “Can’t You Hear Me, SOS,” audiences everywhere quickly realized the former 007 also had some musical chops.While Brosnan is likely most known for his tenure playingJames Bond,Mamma Mia!was one of the early films to initiate his post-Bond era. Since then, Brosnan has starred in movies likeThe Ghost WriterandSpinning Man, even joining theDCuniverse withBlack Adam.He recently opened his first art exhibit — featuring a curated collection of paintings, sketches, silkscreens and other creations —describing the new ventureas “quite a long journey.”
03of 08
Pierce Brosnan: Sam Carmichael
Pierce Brosnan.Universal/Everett, Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Universal/Everett, Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Enter our leading man. Playing the charismatic Sam Carmichael,Pierce Brosnantook the mantle as Streep’s leading love interest inMamma Mia!andMamma Mia! Here We Go Again. As he belted out “Can’t You Hear Me, SOS,” audiences everywhere quickly realized the former 007 also had some musical chops.
While Brosnan is likely most known for his tenure playingJames Bond,Mamma Mia!was one of the early films to initiate his post-Bond era. Since then, Brosnan has starred in movies likeThe Ghost WriterandSpinning Man, even joining theDCuniverse withBlack Adam.
He recently opened his first art exhibit — featuring a curated collection of paintings, sketches, silkscreens and other creations —describing the new ventureas “quite a long journey.”
04of 08Colin Firth: Harry BrightColin Firth.Universal Pictures/Relativity Media/Littlestar/Playtone/Kobal/Shutterstock, Dave Benett/WireImagePlaying the audacious British businessman Harry,Colin Firthwas an unexpected choice for the movie musical. The film’s final reveal, with Harry coming out as gay, shocked and delighted audiences. Although brief, Firth joined the cast’s return to Skopelos in 2018.Firth has since earned himself the Oscar for Best Actor for his role as King George VI in 2010’sThe King’s Speech. He’s also starred in the successfulKingsmanfranchise and Max’s true crime thriller,The Staircase.
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Colin Firth: Harry Bright
Colin Firth.Universal Pictures/Relativity Media/Littlestar/Playtone/Kobal/Shutterstock, Dave Benett/WireImage
Universal Pictures/Relativity Media/Littlestar/Playtone/Kobal/Shutterstock, Dave Benett/WireImage
Playing the audacious British businessman Harry,Colin Firthwas an unexpected choice for the movie musical. The film’s final reveal, with Harry coming out as gay, shocked and delighted audiences. Although brief, Firth joined the cast’s return to Skopelos in 2018.
Firth has since earned himself the Oscar for Best Actor for his role as King George VI in 2010’sThe King’s Speech. He’s also starred in the successfulKingsmanfranchise and Max’s true crime thriller,The Staircase.
05of 08
Stellan Skarsgård: Bill Anderson
Stellan Skarsgård.Universal/Everett, George Pimentel/WireImage
Universal/Everett, George Pimentel/WireImage
Three of his children,Bill, Gustaf and Alexander, have followed him into the industry. “I wanted to be an actor ever since I was a little kid,” Billtold PEOPLEin 2016. “But as I got into my teenage years I thought, is it really me wanting this or because I want to follow in my dad’s footsteps?”
06of 08Dominic Cooper: Sky RymandDominic Cooper.Universal/Everett, Arturo Holmes/WireImagePlaying Sophie’s soon-to-be husband Sky,Dominic Coopergot his big break withMamma Mia!after a history of theater acting. A lovable bro-type, Sky offered some guiding wisdom and a glorious six-pack to Sophie’s journey. While Sky may have been more of a supporting role in the 2008 film, he truly shined in the 2018 follow-up.Though Cooper has starred in critically acclaimed films likeAn EducationandMy Week With Marilyn, fans can’t get enough of hissweet relationshipwith fellow actorGemma Chan. Speaking toHarper’s Bazaar,Chan said she was “so fortunate to be in a relationship where we can talk about anything.”
06of 08
Dominic Cooper: Sky Rymand
Dominic Cooper.Universal/Everett, Arturo Holmes/WireImage
Universal/Everett, Arturo Holmes/WireImage
Playing Sophie’s soon-to-be husband Sky,Dominic Coopergot his big break withMamma Mia!after a history of theater acting. A lovable bro-type, Sky offered some guiding wisdom and a glorious six-pack to Sophie’s journey. While Sky may have been more of a supporting role in the 2008 film, he truly shined in the 2018 follow-up.
Though Cooper has starred in critically acclaimed films likeAn EducationandMy Week With Marilyn, fans can’t get enough of hissweet relationshipwith fellow actorGemma Chan. Speaking toHarper’s Bazaar,Chan said she was “so fortunate to be in a relationship where we can talk about anything.”
07of 08Christine Baranski: Tanya Chesham-LeighChristine Baranski.Universal/Everett, Roy Rochlin/GettyChristine Baranskireturned to the world of musical theater to star as Tanya,Mamma Mia!’sequivalent toSex and the City’s iconic Samantha Jones. With a high sense of self and an even higher set of heels, Tanya brought the comedy. Baranski returned for the film’s sequel, while actressJessica Keenan Wynnplayed her younger self.Since then, Baranski has gained critical acclaim for her work on CBS mainstayThe Good Wifeand its legal drama spin-offThe Good Fight.With the latter wrapping its production in 2022, Baranskitold PEOPLEhow hard it would be to leave her character Diane Lockhart behind. “I’ll sort of miss her,” Baranski said. “She took us through a lot, didn’t she?”
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Christine Baranski: Tanya Chesham-Leigh
Christine Baranski.Universal/Everett, Roy Rochlin/Getty
Universal/Everett, Roy Rochlin/Getty
Christine Baranskireturned to the world of musical theater to star as Tanya,Mamma Mia!’sequivalent toSex and the City’s iconic Samantha Jones. With a high sense of self and an even higher set of heels, Tanya brought the comedy. Baranski returned for the film’s sequel, while actressJessica Keenan Wynnplayed her younger self.
Since then, Baranski has gained critical acclaim for her work on CBS mainstayThe Good Wifeand its legal drama spin-offThe Good Fight.With the latter wrapping its production in 2022, Baranskitold PEOPLEhow hard it would be to leave her character Diane Lockhart behind. “I’ll sort of miss her,” Baranski said. “She took us through a lot, didn’t she?”
08of 08
Julie Walters: Rosie Mulligan
Julie Walters.Universal/Everett, Mike Marsland/WireImage
Universal/Everett, Mike Marsland/WireImage
For every Tanya, there’s a Rosie.Julie Walterstook on the role of the small but mighty alpha, closing out the Dynamos. While Rosie appeared to be the most tame of the ladies, a fast and furious affair with Bill kept viewers hooked. They were even more excited for round two when Walters returned for the sequel.
In a 2020 interview, Walters revealed she had been previously diagnosed withstage 3 bowel cancer, though she assured fans she was cancer free after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy.
source: people.com
