Cast of Matilda the Musical (Film) 2022: Full List & Roles

Few child actors land the lead in a Netflix-backed musical adaptation of a Roald Dahl classic, let alone from their first major audition. Alisha Weir, a young performer from Dublin, beat thousands to become Matilda Wormwood in the 2022 film—and watching her command the screen alongside seasoned performers like Emma Thompson makes it easy to see why director Matthew Warchus called her audition “unforgettable.” This breakdown gives you the full cast picture, the casting backstory, and the details readers actually ask about.

Matilda Wormwood: Alisha Weir · Agatha Trunchbull: Emma Thompson · Miss Honey: Lashana Lynch · Mr. Wormwood: Stephen Graham · Release Year: 2022

The following table consolidates key role assignments from the production, drawing from verified cast records.

Did Emma Thompson sing in Matilda?

Yes, Emma Thompson really sings in the new “Matilda” musical film. The actress performed all her own vocals as Miss Trunchbull, including the menacing “The Smell of Rebellion” sequence. This was a deliberate creative choice by director Matthew Warchus, who wanted Thompson’s considerable theatrical training to shine through in the role.

Emma Thompson’s role as Agatha Trunchbull

Emma Thompson portrays the tyrannical headmistress with a theatrical flair that stage audiences immediately recognize. The film reconceived the Trunchbull character specifically for a female performer—on stage, the role is traditionally played by a male actor in drag. Thompson brought physicality and vocal power that the production team hadn’t anticipated, making her casting a significant departure from the 1996 film adaptation.

The implication: this reconception opened the role to performers with Thompson’s classical training, fundamentally shifting the character’s theatrical DNA.

Who is the Irish girl in Matilda?

The Irish girl in Matilda is Alisha Weir, who plays the title character. At the time of her casting announcement in January 2021, Alisha was 11 years old and living in Dublin. Her casting was announced alongside Emma Thompson and Lashana Lynch, with director Matthew Warchus describing her audition as something he wouldn’t forget.

Alisha Weir as Matilda Wormwood

Alisha Weir had never carried a major film production before Matilda, yet she held her own against performers with decades more screen experience. Her casting marked a significant milestone for Irish representation in family entertainment, and her performance balanced the character’s intelligence, warmth, and quiet rebellion effectively.

The pattern: casting an unknown Dubliner over established child actors demonstrates how rigorously the production searched for authenticity over name recognition.

Did Emma Thompson gain weight for Matilda?

The production employed prosthetics and costume design rather than having Emma Thompson gain weight specifically for the role. However, Thompson committed to the physical transformation fully, adopting posture, movement patterns, and vocal delivery that made Miss Trunchbull feel genuinely imposing. The debate around actor body changes for roles is ongoing, but in this case, the creative team chose a different approach.

Preparation for Trunchbull role

Thompson spent considerable time studying the stage productions of Miss Trunchbull, which informed her interpretation of the character’s theatrical menace. She worked with the choreography team to deliver the signature “hammer throw” scene and other physically demanding moments that require the character to intimidate through pure presence.

The role is reconceived and now can be played by a woman.

— Matthew Warchus, Director (via London Theatre)

What is the most famous song in Matilda?

“When I Grow Up” stands as the most recognized song from Matilda the Musical, appearing in both stage and film versions. The number, performed by Matilda and her classmates during their nap time at school, captures the film’s central theme of children imagining their futures while enduring present hardships. It’s the song most commonly associated with the production in popular culture.

Songs from Matilda The Musical ranked

The film features additional numbers including “Naughty” (Matilda’s individual showcase), “The Smell of Rebellion” (Trunchbull’s belt-buckle anthem), and “Revolting Children” (the climactic student rebellion). Each song advances the story while giving cast members opportunities to demonstrate their vocal capabilities.

What this means: Emma Thompson’s “The Smell of Rebellion” sequence showcases the most demanding vocal performance in the film, filmed in a single continuous shot that required multiple takes.

Main Cast of Matilda the Musical 2022 Film

The cast brings together British heavyweights and fresh talent, creating a balance between experienced performers and newcomers. Stephen Graham, known for his roles in “Boardwalk Empire” and “The Irishman,” plays the conniving car dealer Mr. Wormwood, while Andrea Riseborough embodies the self-absorbed mother Mrs. Wormwood with characteristic intensity.

Alisha Weir

As Matilda Wormwood, Alisha Weir anchors the entire production. Her portrayal balances vulnerability with fierce intelligence, making audiences root for a character whose victories come through cleverness rather than physical confrontation.

Emma Thompson

As Miss Trunchbull, Emma Thompson delivers a villainous performance that draws on both comedy and genuine menace. The role required her to sing, act, and perform physically demanding choreography—something she approached with characteristic dedication.

Lashana Lynch

Lashana Lynch plays Miss Honey, Matilda’s sympathetic teacher who eventually becomes her guardian. Lynch brings warmth and conviction to the role, providing emotional counterweight to Thompson’s tyrannical headmistress. Amber Adeyinka appears as young Miss Honey in flashback sequences.

Stephen Graham

Stephen Graham, no stranger to complex male characters, plays Mr. Wormwood as a flamboyant, greedy schemer entirely absorbed in selling old cars. His scenes with Alisha Weir establish the toxic family dynamic that drives Matilda toward finding refuge at Crunchem Hall.

Andrea Riseborough

Andrea Riseborough portrays Mrs. Wormwood, Matilda’s oblivious mother who prioritizes ballroom dancing over her daughter’s welfare. Riseborough plays the character as self-centered but not actively cruel, which makes the family dynamics feel uncomfortably realistic.

Supporting Cast

Sindhu Vee plays Mrs. Phelps, the kind-hearted librarian who encourages Matilda’s love of books. Charlie Hodson-Prior takes on the memorable role of Bruce Bogtrotter, the boy forced to eat chocolate cake in front of the entire school. Winter Jarrett-Glasspool plays Amanda Thripp, one of Matilda’s classmates who ultimately joins the rebellion.

The child ensemble rounds out with Rei Yamauchi Fulker as Lavender, Meesha Garbett as Hortensia, Andrei Shen as Eric, and Ashton Robertson as Nigel—each playing supporting roles in the classroom dynamics at Crunchem Hall.

Over 200 children were cast for student body roles.

— Production Notes (via Wikipedia)

Related reading: Cast of 3 Body Problem: Actors, Roles & Season 2 Updates · The Outsiders (Film): Plot, Cast, Banned History

Alisha Weir captivates as Matilda Wormwood, with Emma Thompson menacing as Trunchbull, in a lineup detailed alongside the full cast breakdown from Britain Review.

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