Cast of The Little Mermaid (2023 Film): Every Actor and Their Role

The 2023 live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid brings a fresh ensemble of actors to the beloved underwater kingdom. Directed by Rob Marshall and released on May 26, 2023, the film features a mix of live-action performers and voice actors for its CGI characters.

Halle Bailey leads the cast as Ariel, with Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, and Javier Bardem as King Triton. Supporting roles include Noma Dumezweni, Art Malik, and a roster of actors voicing iconic sea creatures such as Sebastian, Scuttle, and Flounder.

The production, based on Disney’s 1989 animated classic, expands the story with new characters and updated musical numbers. The full cast includes both established Hollywood names and emerging talent, reflecting a broader approach to representation in live-action remakes.

Who plays Ariel in The Little Mermaid 2023?

• Halle Bailey makes history as the first Black actress to portray Ariel in a live-action film.
• The cast includes both live-action actors and voice actors for CGI characters such as Sebastian and Scuttle.
• New characters like Queen Selina and Indira expand the story beyond the original animated film.
• The film features many of the original 1989 songs performed by the new cast, plus newly written musical numbers.
• Jodi Benson, the original voice of Ariel, appears in a cameo as a market vendor.

Which actor portrays Prince Eric?

Jonah Hauer-King plays Prince Eric, the human prince who becomes Ariel’s love interest. His casting was announced on November 12, 2019, after an extended search by the production team. Hauer-King performs the character as a live-action role, singing in several of the film’s musical sequences.

What was the casting process for Prince Eric?

The role of Eric required an actor who could balance charm, vocal ability, and a sense of adventure. Hauer-King, known for his work in A Dog’s Way Home and World on Fire, auditioned alongside other contenders before securing the part. Director Rob Marshall has described the character as more developed in this version, with additional scenes that explore his ambitions beyond the kingdom.

Who voices the bird Scuttle in the 2023 film?

Awkwafina voices Scuttle, Ariel’s seabird friend. Unlike the 1989 animated film where Scuttle was male and presented as a somewhat bumbling character, the 2023 version reinterprets the role as female. Awkwafina brings her distinctive vocal style to the part, delivering both comedy and warmth.

Is Scuttle CGI or live action?

Scuttle is a fully CGI character voiced by Awkwafina through voice and motion capture. The character interacts with live-action actors through visual effects, a technique used for all the underwater and avian creatures in the film. Awkwafina recorded her performance in a studio, with her vocal delivery later synced to the animated bird.

Who else provided creature voices?

Daveed Diggs voices Sebastian the crab, Triton’s advisor and majordomo. Jacob Tremblay voices Flounder, Ariel’s fish best friend. Both characters are CGI creations, with Diggs and Tremblay providing voice performances that were recorded prior to the animation process, as is standard for Disney’s hybrid live-action animated productions.

Who plays the Queen and the sisters in The Little Mermaid?

Noma Dumezweni plays Queen Selina, Eric’s adoptive mother and the ruler of the island kingdom. This is a newly created role for the live-action adaptation and does not appear in the 1989 animated original. Dumezweni, known for her stage work in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, brings a grounded authority to the character.

Ariel’s sisters are portrayed by a diverse ensemble of actors. Each sister has a distinct name and appearance, a departure from the animated film where they were less individually defined. The sisters include Lorena Andrea as Perla, Simone Ashley as Indira, Kajsa Mohammar as Karina, Nathalie Sorrell as Caspia, Karolina Conchet as Mala, and Sienna King as Tamika.

Who plays Grimsby and the other supporting characters?

Art Malik plays Sir Grimsby, Eric’s confidant and adviser. This role is a live-action interpretation of the character from the 1989 film. Additional supporting cast members include Martina Laird as Lashana, Emily Coates as Rosa, Christopher Fairbank as Hawkins, and John Dagleish as Mulligan.

Who is Indira and who plays her?

Indira is one of Ariel’s sisters, and she is portrayed by Simone Ashley. Ashley, known for her role in Bridgerton, plays Indira as a confident and protective older sister. The character is part of the expanded portrayal of Ariel’s family in the 2023 film, which gives each sister a distinct personality and appearance.

Which cast members are featured in the trailer of The Little Mermaid 2023?

The official trailer prominently features Halle Bailey as Ariel, including key moments such as her first glimpse of the human world and her transformation scene. Jonah Hauer-King appears as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, and Javier Bardem as King Triton. Brief shots of Daveed Diggs as Sebastian and Awkwafina as Scuttle are also included.

The trailer also shows Noma Dumezweni as Queen Selina and Art Malik as Sir Grimsby in scenes set within the castle. Simone Ashley’s Indira appears among Ariel’s sisters in a group underwater sequence. The trailer gives a representative overview of the main cast without revealing every supporting performer.

When were the key cast members announced?

1. July 3, 2019 – Halle Bailey cast as Ariel
2. November 12, 2019 – Jonah Hauer-King cast as Prince Eric
3. March 13, 2020 – Melissa McCarthy cast as Ursula
4. October 2020 – Daveed Diggs cast as Sebastian; Jacob Tremblay as Flounder
5. December 2020 – Awkwafina cast as Scuttle
6. February 2021 – Javier Bardem cast as King Triton
7. March 2021 – Noma Dumezweni cast as Queen; Simone Ashley as Indira
8. May 2021 – Art Malik cast as Grimsby

All casting announcements were made via official Disney channels and reported by entertainment media. No changes to the principal cast occurred after production began.

Is all cast information for the 2023 film confirmed?

How does the 2023 cast compare to the original animated film?

The 1989 animated film featured Jodi Benson as the voice of Ariel, with Samuel E. Wright as Sebastian, and Pat Carroll as Ursula. The 2023 live-action version introduces a completely new cast, with Halle Bailey taking over the title role. None of the original voice actors reprise their roles, though Jodi Benson appears in a cameo as a market vendor.

The casting of Halle Bailey and other actors of color marks a significant step in representation for Disney live-action remakes. The film also adds characters that did not exist in the 1989 version, such as Queen Selina and Indira, expanding the story’s scope and giving the cast more material to work with.

The sea creature roles, once voiced by a single actor each in 1989, are now performed by well-known contemporary actors: Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, Awkwafina as Scuttle, and Jacob Tremblay as Flounder. This shift reflects Disney’s strategy of casting high-profile names for voice roles in live-action adaptations. This shift reflects Disney’s strategy of casting high-profile names for voice roles in live-action adaptations, a trend also seen in other major film careers like Daniel Day-Lewis career and retirement. Daniel Day-Lewis career and retirement

What have the director and lead actors said about the film?

“Halle Bailey is a phenomenal Ariel – she brings soul, heart, and a fresh energy to the role.”

Director Rob Marshall, Disney press release

“I wanted to show a new side of Ursula, and Melissa just nailed the balance of camp and menace.”

Director Rob Marshall, Empire interview (2023)

Both quotes reflect the director’s confidence in the cast’s ability to reinterpret classic characters while respecting what audiences loved about the original. The actors themselves have spoken in interviews about the significance of bringing these roles to a new generation.

What is the complete cast list for The Little Mermaid 2023?

The film’s cast is led by Halle Bailey as Ariel, Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric, Melissa McCarthy as Ursula, Javier Bardem as King Triton, Daveed Diggs as Sebastian, Jacob Tremblay as Flounder, and Awkwafina as Scuttle. Supporting players include Noma Dumezweni, Art Malik, Simone Ashley, Jessica Alexander, and the six actors portraying Ariel’s sisters. The full credits also include Jodi Benson in a cameo role, along with numerous ensemble performers who appear in the film’s large musical production numbers. For a complete breakdown of every credited performer, the IMDb full cast and crew page provides an exhaustive list.

For readers interested in other ensemble casts, see the Cast of Matilda the Musical (Film) – Complete Cast Guide.

Frequently asked questions about the cast

For a similarly detailed breakdown of another film’s ensemble, see the Cast of the Idea of You – Full Cast List and Character Guide.