Cast of Matilda the Musical (Film) – Complete Cast Guide

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical arrived on Netflix in 2022 with a fresh cast that brought Dahl’s classic story to life through song and dance. The film adaptation, directed by Matthew Warchus, features a mix of seasoned actors and a young newcomer in the title role. This guide provides a complete look at who plays whom, where to watch, and how the film cast compares to the stage production.

The musical follows Matilda Wormwood, an exceptionally bright girl neglected by her parents and terrorised by the school headmistress, Miss Trunchbull. With the help of her kind teacher Miss Honey and her own emerging psychokinetic abilities, Matilda finds her voice. The casting choices reflect both West End pedigree and fresh talent, making the film a distinct experience from its stage predecessor.

Below you will find the full cast list, character descriptions, streaming details, and answers to the most common questions about the film’s actors and their roles.

Who is in the cast of Matilda the Musical film?

• Alisha Weir, aged 13 during filming, was cast from over 200 hopefuls.
• Emma Thompson underwent four hours of prosthetic makeup daily to become Miss Trunchbull.
• The film cast includes several West End stage veterans from the original musical.
• Andrea Riseborough plays Mrs Wormwood, a role originated by a different actress on stage.

For a more detailed breakdown of every named character, including classmates and story-within-a-story figures, see the cast and character guide for Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (2022).

What characters do the main actors play?

Matilda Wormwood – Alisha Weir

Alisha Weir portrays the brilliant, book-loving girl who discovers her psychokinetic powers. This was Weir’s first lead role in a feature film.

Miss Agatha Trunchbull – Emma Thompson

Emma Thompson plays the cruel headmistress of Crunchem Hall. Her transformation required extensive prosthetics and a completely altered physicality.

Miss Jennifer Honey – Lashana Lynch

Lashana Lynch takes on the role of Matilda’s kind teacher and protector. Lynch is best known for playing Nomi in No Time to Die.

Harry Wormwood – Stephen Graham

Stephen Graham plays Matilda’s dishonest and dismissive father, a used-car salesman who neglects his daughter’s talents.

Zinnia Wormwood (Mrs Wormwood) – Andrea Riseborough

Andrea Riseborough portrays Matilda’s vain, uncaring mother who is obsessed with ballroom dancing. Riseborough earned an Oscar nomination for To Leslie the same year.

What is the Red Beret Girl role in Matilda?

The so-called “Red Beret Girl” is not a named character in the film. She is a minor background student role played by an uncredited extra. Some online queries confuse her with a specific character, but the film does not assign her a name or lines. This role is distinct from Lavender, Matilda’s best friend played by Rei Yamauchi Fulker.

Is the cast of Matilda the Musical the same as the stage musical?

No. The 2022 film features an entirely new cast. While the stage musical originally opened in London in 2010 with a different set of actors, the film adaptation recast every role. Several film actors have West End experience—Emma Thompson, for instance, has performed on stage—but none of them originated their film characters in the stage production.

The role of Mrs Wormwood, for example, was played by Josie Walker in the original West End cast, while Andrea Riseborough takes over in the film. Similarly, Miss Trunchbull was originated by Bertie Carvel on stage; Emma Thompson brings a different interpretation to the screen. For a side-by-side comparison, refer to the full cast list for the 2022 Netflix film.

How does the film cast differ from the 1996 film?

The 1996 film adaptation of Matilda starred Mara Wilson as Matilda, Pam Ferris as Miss Trunchbull, and Embeth Davidtz as Miss Honey. The 2022 musical version is a completely separate production with no returning actors. The new film also intentionally diversifies the cast, notably with Lashana Lynch (a Black actress) as Miss Honey and Meera Syal as Mrs Phelps, reflecting a broader range of representation.

Where can I watch Matilda the Musical film?

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical is available exclusively on Netflix. It was released in November 2022, first in the United Kingdom and then worldwide. A limited theatrical release also occurred in select countries in December 2022.

Some search results mistakenly list the release year as 2021 or 2023. The film was greenlit by Netflix and Working Title in 2020, principal photography took place from April to November 2021, and the final release was definitively in 2022. The confusion likely stems from the long production period and international rollout windows.

Visit the official Netflix page for Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical to stream the film. Additional information about the production can be found on the Roald Dahl official website.

When was Matilda the Musical film released? – A timeline

1. 2010 – Stage musical Matilda opens in London.
2. 2020 – Film adaptation announced by Netflix and Working Title.
3. April 2021 – Principal photography begins.
4. November 2021 – Filming wraps.
5. November 2022 – Netflix release (UK first, then worldwide).
6. December 2022 – Limited theatrical release in select countries.

Established facts vs. unclear information about the cast

What is the background of the cast and adaptation?

The 2022 film is an adaptation of the stage musical by Dennis Kelly and Tim Minchin, which itself is based on Roald Dahl’s 1988 novel. Director Matthew Warchus, who also directed the original stage production, aimed to bring a cinematic scale to the story while preserving the musical’s heart. The casting process prioritized finding a young actress who could carry both the emotional weight and the vocal demands of the role. Alisha Weir, an Irish actress, was chosen after an extensive search. The deliberate diversity of the cast—such as casting a Black actress as Miss Honey and a South Asian actress as Mrs Phelps—reflects a modern interpretation that expands representation without altering the core narrative.

For authoritative cast listings, refer to IMDb and Wikipedia. Critic and audience ratings are available on Rotten Tomatoes.

Where can I find the primary sources for the cast list?

The cast information in this guide is drawn from multiple reputable sources: IMDb’s cast list, Wikipedia’s film page, Rotten Tomatoes’ cast & crew section, the official Netflix media center, and the Roald Dahl Story Company website. Each source has been cross-checked for consistency. Below are key external references that provide official or widely accepted cast details.

“Alisha Weir as Matilda Wormwood” – IMDb top cast listing.

IMDb, Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (2022)

“Emma Thompson, Lashana Lynch, Stephen Graham, Andrea Riseborough headline the film’s principal cast.”

Wikipedia, Matilda the Musical (film)

“The film is a Netflix original and premiered on the platform in November 2022.”

Netflix Media Center

Will there be a sequel to Matilda the Musical?

As of 2025, no sequel has been announced. The film was intended as a standalone adaptation of the stage musical, and neither Netflix nor Working Title has indicated plans to extend the story beyond this single film. For other family-friendly films currently available on the platform, explore our best family movies on Netflix guide.

Frequently asked questions