Photo:Christopher Polk/WWD/Getty
Christopher Polk/WWD/Getty
Barbiehas made it to the big screen.
In 2022, Robbie toldBritishVogue, “People generally hearBarbieand think, ‘I know what that movie is going to be,’ and then they hear that Greta Gerwig is writing and directing it, and they’re like, ‘Oh, well, maybe I don’t …’ "
As news of the star-studded cast rolled out, it wasn’t clear who would be playing who — but in April 2023, the film’s official Instagram account unveiled a variety of character posters. The posts revealed a diverse group of actors, includingKingsley Ben-Adir,Scott EvansandSimu Liuas different versions of Ken, andHari Nef,Emma Mackey,Dua Lipa,Issa RaeandKate McKinnonas different versions of Barbie.
Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures
“Margot was so great.She had a sleepover with the Barbiesbefore photography started, and the Kens were allowed to either visit briefly or to phone in and say hi,” said Liu.
“So we made sure to show our support but not be overbearing with our presence. And all the Barbies and Kens got in a group chat,” he added.
Ahead, here’s everything to know about the cast ofBarbie.
Margot Robbie as Barbie
Warner Bros. ; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
Margot Robbie, 33, stars as the titular character of Barbie.
In 2019, the actress announcedshe would be playing Barbiein a new live-action film after Schumer backed out of the role in 2017. Robbie also serves as a producer via her companyLuckyChap Entertainment, along with her husbandTom Ackerleyand their partner Josey McNamara.
In an August2021 interview with BritishVogue, Robbie said thatplaying Barbie"comes with a lot of baggage,” due to the doll’scontroversial history. “And a lot of nostalgic connections,” she said. “But with that come a lot of exciting ways to attack it.”
“We’re finding Barbie references from decades pastand just doing it really for the big Barbie fans out there, people who are actually collecting those Barbies. We’re hoping to get them excited,” she told PEOPLE at theBarbieworld premiere in Los Angeles.
As for her personal life, Robbie has been married to Ackerley, a British film producer, since 2016.
Ryan Gosling as Ken
Warner Bros. ; Mike Marsland/WireImage
Ryan Gosling, 42, takes on the role of Barbie’s boyfriend, Ken.
Born in Canada, Gosling got his start as a child actor onThe Mickey Mouse Clubin the 1990s and gained widespread recognition for his role as Noah in the 2004 romantic dramaThe Notebook.Known for his ability to play both comedic and dramatic roles, the actor’s other notable credits includeHalf Nelson(2006),Blue Valentine(2010),Crazy, Stupid, Love.(2011),The Big Short(2015),The Nice Guys(2016),La La Land(2016) andThe Gray Man(2022).
Early looks at Gosling as Ken in Gerwig’sBarbiehave stirred up both excitement and criticism over the actor’s portrayal, with some saying that helooks too old for the role.
“I would say, you know, if people don’t want to play with my Ken, there are many other Kens to play with," GoslingtoldGQwhen asked about some fans' disapproval of his casting in the upcoming movie.
“It is funny, this kind of clutching-your-pearls idea of, like, #notmyken," he continued. “Like you ever thought about Ken before this?”
Earlier in the interview, the actor also joked, “If you ever really cared about Ken, you would know that nobody cared about Ken. So your hypocrisy is exposed. This is why his story must be told.”
In his personal life, Gosling maintains a low profile withhis longtime partner, actress Eva Mendes, and their two daughters, Esmeralda and Amada.
Issa Rae as President Barbie
Warner Bros. ; Monica Schipper/Getty
Issa Rae, 38, plays President Barbie, a version of the doll that Mattel has featured since 1992.
The L.A.-born actress, writer and producer is best known for her HBO comedy seriesInsecure, whichended in 2021after five seasons. Rae also wrote and starred in a semi-autobiographical web series titled,The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl, which aired for two seasons. In 2015, the star released a memoir of the same name.
Rae also voices Jessica Drew (aka Spider-Woman) in 2023’sSpider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the sequel to 2018’s Oscar-winning animated hitInto the Spider-Verse.
Speaking with PEOPLE at AT&T’s Game Ball Experience in April 2023, Rae said thefan reaction to theBarbiemovie has “been amazing.”
“I’m super, super excited that people are excited, and I’m just sitting back waiting for it all to come out.”
As for her personal life, Rae married her husband businessmanLouis Diamein 2021.
Kate McKinnon as Weird Barbie
Warner Bros. ; Rob Kim/Getty
Born in Sea Cliff, New York, McKinnon appeared onSaturday Night Live, where she became known for her outlandish characters and celebrity impressions, from 2012 to 2022. Throughout her tenure onSNL, the actress starred in films likeGhostbusters(2016),The Spy Who Dumped Me(2018) andBombshell(2019).
At the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2022, McKinnon teased on theE! Live from the Red Carpetspecial that theBarbiemovie is “going to be incredible.”
“The colors, the sets are everything, the costumes are everything, the script and story — Margot [Robbie], Ryan Gosling — are everything. America Ferrara, everything,” she continued. “I’m just so excited for people to see it because it’s going to be epic.”
Emma Mackey as Physicist Barbie
Warner Bros.
Emma Mackey, 27, will play a Nobel Prize-winning physicist version of Barbie.
The French-British actress, who often draws comparisons to Robbie, got her breakout role playing Maeve Wiley on Netflix’sSex Education. The show premiered in 2019, and after four seasons, the starannounced her departurefrom the series in February 2023. Mackey also played the titular role of Emily Bronte in the 2022 filmEmily.
As for her personal life, Mackey is dating director and photographer Martin Aleman. A rep for Mackeyconfirmed the relationship to Bustleafter the couple attended the 2023 BAFTAs together.
America Ferrera as Gloria
Warner Bros. ; Gabe Ginsberg/Getty
America Ferrera, 39, plays Gloria, a human character who Barbie presumably meets when she enters the real world.
When speaking withVanity Fairsoon after the film’s release,Ferrera said it was “amazing” to hear about the responses audiences had to her monologue. She said the emotional speech “felt like pressure in the nicest way.”
“It’s one of the first things Greta mentioned to me even before I read the script,” she told the outlet. “She said, ‘I wrote this monologue for Gloria, and I’ve always imagined you saying this.' "
Hari Nef as Doctor Barbie
Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett ; Roy Rochlin/Getty
Hari Nef, 30, plays doctor Barbie.
While the plot of Barbie remains largely under wraps, NeftoldVoguein May 2023 that she had ideas about the type of person who would own her character’s doll. “A doll collector,” she told the outlet. “A gay man in his 50s who lives in a rent-controlled apartment in the West Village.”
Nef continued: “I was given the most over-the-top, fashion-y, crazy costumes. And I was like,This is no child’s doll …I feel like every week he has his two or three friends over, maybe he’s a little lonely, and he shows them my new outfit. And I just kind of stay in my box.”
Dua Lipa as Mermaid Barbie
Warner Bros.; Karwai Tang/WireImage
Dua Lipa, 27, plays a mermaid Barbie reminiscent of the character from Mattel’sDreamtopiacartoon web series.
Known for her dance-pop hits like “New Rules” and “Don’t Start Now,” the English singer is not onlyfeatured on theBarbiesoundtrackbut also making her acting debut in the film. While it’s not clear what her role will entail, the social media teasers have shown Lipa wearing a long, blue wig, blue eyeshadow and a mermaid-inspired costume.
The singer is also set to star in the upcoming2023 spy thrillerArgyllealongsideHenry Cavill,Bryce Dallas HowardandJohn Cena.
As for her personal life, Lipa has been romantically linked to multiple celebrities like Anwar Hadid and Jack Harlow. Most recently, shemade her red carpet debutwith her boyfriendRomain Gavrasat the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
Ritu Arya as Journalist Barbie
Warner Bros./Courtesy Everett ; Mat Hayward/Getty
Ritu Arya, 34, plays journalist Barbie.
Arya starred in the BBC medical dramaDoctorsbefore landing her breakout role as Lila Pitts in the Netflix superhero seriesThe Umbrella Academy.The English actress also stars in the 2023 action comedyPolite Society.
As for her role inBarbie, Arya toldInsidershe initially auditioned for a different part, so she was surprised when she heard she’d landed the journalist gig. She also said getting to work with Gerwig was “a dream come true.”
“I absolutely loved working with her,” she said. “I’m pinching myself to get to work with her and Margot Robbie, and I’m just really excited to see what the film turns out to be. It was such a surreal experience and I would just work with her again at the drop of a hat.”
Warner Bros. ; Frazer Harrison/Getty
Alexandra Shipp, 31, plays the “celebrated author” version of Barbie.
Shipp first gained recognition forportraying the late singer Aaliyahin the 2014 television biopicAaliyah: The Princess of R&B. She also starred inStraight Outta Compton(2015) and has appeared as Storm inX-Men: Apocalypse(2016) andX-Men: Dark Phoenix(2019).
In a 2022Instagram post, Shipp thanked Gerwig “for trusting me to portray one of your fabulous Barbies.”
She continued, “Thank you everyone who made this experience possible 💖I felt all the feels and love these humans so hard with all my strength!”
Nicola Coughlan as Diplomat Barbie
Warner Bros. ; Alexandre Schneider/Getty
Nicola Coughlan, 36, is playing diplomat Barbie.
The Irish actress starred in U.K. television shows likeHarlotsandDerry Girlsbefore landing the role of Penelope Featherington on Netflix’s hit fantasy-romance seriesBridgerton.
In Coughlan’s character poster for Barbie, she’s described as a “diplomat” and wears a copper-red wig and sparkly dress with massive pink tulle sleeves. It’s possible that her portrayal of Barbie will reflectMattel’s 2021 Barbie version of Julie Bishop, the first woman to serve as Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs.
Ana Cruz Kayne as Supreme Court Justice Barbie
Warner Bros. ; Sipa USA/Alamy
Ana Cruz Kayne, 33, is playing Barbie as a Supreme Court Justice.
Though Kayne’s officialBarbieposter shows her wearing a polka dot crop top instead of a judge’s robe, the character is based on Supreme Court Justice Barbie, which was first created as Mattel’s2019 Career of the Year. According to the brand, the doll had a goal of inspiring “girls to learn more about making decisions to change the world for the better.”
Sharon Rooney as Lawyer Barbie
Warner Bros. ; Euan Cherry/BAFTA/Getty
Sharon Rooney, 34, plays lawyer Barbie.
Born in Glasgow, Rooney is known for starring in the seriesMy Mad Fat DiaryandFinding Alice. She also appeared in the 2019 remake ofDumbowith Colin Farrell,Michael KeatonandDanny DeVito.
Dressed in a purple suit jacket in her character poster, Rooney looks ready to enter the courtroom. Mattel has released several business-inspired dolls over the years, as well as the 2003Elle Woods Barbie. Dressed in all pink, the plastic depiction ofReese Witherspoon’s underdog protagonist was made when the sequelLegally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blondepremiered.
Helen Mirren as the Narrator
Warner Bros. ; Massimo Insabato/Getty
Helen Mirren, 77, plays the film’s narrator.
The Academy Award-winning English actress began her career on the stage before starring in films likeCalendar Girls(2003),The Queen(2006),The Tempest(2010) andHitchcock(2012).Mirren joinedthe Fast & Furiousfranchisein 2017 and has appeared in four films, including 2023’sFast X.
As for her personal life, Mirren married her husbandTaylor Hackfordin 1997 after a 10-year relationship.
Will Ferrell as the CEO of Mattel
Warner Bros. ; Roy Rochlin/WireImage
Will Ferrell, 55, takes on the role of the CEO of Mattel, the toy company that owns the Barbie brand.
When it comes tohis role inBarbie, Ferrell describes it as “a loving homage to the brand.”
“It is, in my humble opinion, the ultimate example of high art and low art,” Ferrell said in aninterview with theWall Street JournalMagazine.
“It’s a loving homage to the brand and, at the same time, couldn’t be more satirical,” he continued. “Just an amazing comment on male patriarchy and women in society and why Barbie’s criticized and yet why every little girl still wants to play with Barbie.”
As for his personal life, Ferrell married his wifeViveca Paulinin 2000 and the couplehave three children.
Simu Liu as Ken
Warner Bros. ; Dale MacMillan/Getty
Simu Liu, 34, plays “another Ken.”
The actor, who was born in China and raised in Canada, is known forhis role as Shang-Chiin the 2021 Marvel filmShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He also starred in Canadian television seriesKim’s ConvenienceandBlood and Water. In February 2023, the actor hinted that his Marvel character would becrossing paths with other Marvel superheroesin an upcoming film.
As for his role inBarbie, Liu is playing an iteration of Barbie’s plastic boyfriend, Ken.
Speaking at the 20th Unforgettable Gala in Beverly Hills, California, in February 2023, Liu said Gerwig paid special attention to diversity and inclusivity when it came to casting for the film.
“I remember very clearly about some of our big intricate dance sequences. Greta was very, very conscientious about who she cast,” he said,perVanity Fair.
He continued, “We were able to cast people of different shapes, sizes, differently abled, to all participate in this dance — all under this message of: You don’t have to be blonde, white, or X, Y, Z in order to embody what it means to be a Barbie or a Ken.”
As for his personal life, Liu confirmed his relationship with marketing managerAllison Hsuin December 2022.
Ncuti Gatwa as Ken
Warner Bros. ; Karwai Tang/WireImage
Ncuti Gatwa, 30, plays a cowboy-inspired, guitar-strumming version of Ken.
The Rwandan-Scottish actor is known for starring in Netflix’s hit seriesSex Education. He is also set toreplace Jodie Whittakerin the titular role in the beloved British sci-fi seriesDoctor Whoin 2023.
Kingsley Ben-Adir as Ken
Warner Bros. ; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Kingsley Ben-Adir, 37, is playing another version of Ken.
Scott Evans as Ken
Warner Bros. ; Kevin Winter/GA/The Hollywood Reporter/Getty
Scott Evans, 39, is playing yet another cowboy hat-wearing version of Ken.
Michael Cera as Allan
Warner Bros. ; Jason Mendez/Getty
Michael Cera, 35, plays Ken’s best friend, Allan.
The Canadian actor is known for his roles inJuno(2007),Superbad(2007),Scott Pilgrim vs. The World(2010) as well as playing George-Michael Bluth inArrested Development. Currently, he stars alongside Amy Schumer in the Hulu seriesLife & Beth.
Given his history of portraying offbeat characters and the fact that the real Allan doll was discontinued after only a few years, audiences can likely expect a hilariously awkward performance from Cera.
Emerald Fennell as Midge
Warner Bros. ; Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty
Emerald Fennell, 37, plays the pregnant Midge doll. The Mattel character first appeared in 1963 as a friend of Barbie, and the pregnant version of the doll waspulled from shelvesin 2003.
Fennell is known for her role on the BBC period drama seriesCall the Midwifeand for her portrayal ofCamilla Parker-Bowlesin the Netflix seriesThe Crown. The British actress has also appeared in a number of period films likeAnna Karenina(2012),The Danish Girl(2015) andVita and Virginia(2018). In 2021,Fennell won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplayfor her directorial debutPromising Young WomanstarringCarey Mulligan.
Ariana Greenblatt as Sasha
Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett ; Jon Kopaloff/Getty
Ariana Greenblatt, 15, plays Sasha, the daughter of Ferrera’s character Gloria.
The young actress appeared in Disney’s seriesStuck in the MiddlestarringJenna Ortegaand 2018’sAvengers: Infinity War. She also stars alongsideAdam Driverin the 2023 action drama65.
Connor Swindells as Aaron Dinkins
Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett ; Karwai Tang/WireImage
Connor Swindells, 26, plays Aaron Dinkins, an employee at Mattel. On his movie poster, his character is described as “like an intern or something.”
The English actor currently plays Adam Groff in Netflix’sSex Educationand David Stirling in BBC One’sRogue Heroes. His film credits includeThe Vanishing(2018) andEmma(2020).
Jamie Demetriou as Mattel Executive #1
Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett ; Dave J Hogan/Getty
Jamie Demetriou, 35, plays a Mattel executive, though his character poster calls him “a suit.”
Born in England, the actor and comedian is known for his role as the Bus Rodent inFleabag. He also appeared inPaddington 2(2017) andCruella(2021).
Ryan Piers Williams as Gloria’s husband
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Ryan Piers Williams, 42, Ferrera’s real-life husband, plays her husband in the film. He’s featured in a few brief moments, mostly as he learns Spanish via Duolingo.
The couple, who married in 2011 and share two children, attended the European premiere ofBarbiein London together. Ferrera posted a photo from the event on Instagram, captioning the snap with, “My favorite & forever Ken, you cute.”
source: people.com
