Broadway fans have always known how special and impactful Wicked (2024) could be. It's metaphorically imprinted deep into so many of our bones, and its importance to the entire community is actually indescribable. So to see the success of the films break headlines and pave the road for more grand adaptations like this is a hope many of us have. At the same time, what it's done for some of these actors is no small feat. Many of them will forever be known for the brilliant work they delivered in crafting characters that'll stay with viewers for a long, long time.
Some of the actors you know from previous roles, others are just getting started in what'll hopefully be a journey full of open doors. The Wicked cast is brimming with tremendous talent. Here's where you can watch their most famous roles on Netflix, HBO Max, and more.
Cynthia Erivo - Harriet (2019)
Cynthia Erivo's name and unique singing voice aren't new to theatre fans who've known her for a while now, and after Wicked: For Good (2025), I'm sure countless people will forever associate her with the brilliant range she brings to Elpheba. But long before she wore green makeup and gorgeously belted out the infamous vocals to "Defying Gravity," she embodied a historical figure to perfection in Harriet.
Most critics praised the biopic, and it even has a 97% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes, revealing that Erivo's nuanced and thoughtful performance touched people in the same way that Tubman's legacy does. It was this role that ultimately proved Erivo is capable of anything, and Wicked cemented it. Harriet is a must-watch for viewers who want to see historical stories on their screens, and for everything Erivo delivered, too.
Ariana Grande - Victorious (2010-2012)
Ariana Grande is a name most people know, even if they're not as well-versed in TV or film, because the actress's singing career is one that's now forever ingrained in pop music. Yet, many people followed Grande's journey shortly after her role in Nickelodeon's Victorious, where the actress became an instant fan favorite with a large following because of her lovely embodiment.
However, while Victorious may be Grande's most recognizable role before, there's no denying that Wicked is about to become her most famous one years down the line. Grande was born to play Glinda, and it's apparent from the moment she steps onto the screen. More than anything, her singing voice in the films showcases the depth of her talents in a way that's so stunning that even those who were hesitant about her casting have bitten their tongues. Grande delivers all heart in the embodiment, making it unmistakable that her abilities are boundless.
Jonathan Bailey - Bridgerton (2020-Present)
He isn't just People's Sexiest Man Alive for 2025, but Jonathan Bailey is also a legend in the making—an actor who's entirely in a league of his own. A triple threat in every way and the type of performer who's proven that there's absolutely nothing he can't do. While many people did indeed discover the actor's incomparable range after his role as Fiyero in Wicked, many of us have been swooning over him since he donned Anthony Bridgerton's mutton chops in Bridgerton Season 1.
While Season 2 is his season with Simone Ashley's Kate Sharma (Bridgerton), from the moment Bailey stepped onto the screen as the jaded and broken viscount, he delivered a full range of layered emotions that made the role twice as riveting. What he consistently delivers throughout the show, no matter how brief the scene is, is proof of the fact that he knows his character inside and out in an utterly admirable manner. For viewers who love Fiyero's yearning in Wicked, Bridgerton is a must-watch.
Jeff Goldblum - Jurassic Park (1993)
As a legendary actor who's been around for decades, Jeff Goldblum has given us a number of memorable performances in plenty of incredible movies and TV shows. His generally quirky mannerisms always add layers to whatever character he's embodying, ensuring that we remember them long after the credits roll. And while some might always associate Goldblum with The Fly (1986), it's his role as Dr. Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park that'll always be his most famous.
From that moment onward, Goldblum revolutionized the concept of characters being equal parts fun and utterly serious in their craft. Jurassic Park is full of great actors, but it's Goldblum's performance that's most inimitable. The character could've been entirely one-dimensional, but it's everything the actor does to layer him beyond the words spoken aloud that means something more. Jurassic Park is a must-watch for fans of compelling sci-fi action films that still hold up tremendously.
Michelle Yeoh - Everything Everywhere All at Once (2022)
Outside of her portrayal as Madame Morrible in Wicked, Michelle Yeoh has been in a number of mainstream properties that have been made better because of her presence. But many of us will never forget her brilliantly bold, thoughtful, and haunting performance as Evelyn Quan Wang in the Academy Award-winning, Everything Everywhere All at Once, which now outranks Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000) as her most famous role. The film itself is gorgeously profound and unique, but it's hard to imagine it being as monumental without Yeoh's inimitable performance.
The movie is proof that genre films can be impactful and profound, but it's also a gorgeous showcase of the fact that an actress can take a single, seemingly small and ordinary moment then make it thoroughly unforgettable. Yeoh's work in the film is indescribable from start to finish, and the fact that the Academy recognized her by giving her the award for Best Actress is something that we still need to talk about because it remains a rarity for people of color. It's a must-watch for viewers who want a rare sci-fi that's also full of relatable characters.
Marissa Bode - Wicked (2024)
Nessarose isn't a fan-favorite character in the original musical, but everything that Marissa Bode delivers makes her twice as compelling. The role is undoubtedly going to be Bode's most famous one to date, and it's entirely because mainstream media seldom recognizes disabilities with the care and nuance that's necessary. We also know that, although the character walks in the theatrical production, the movies will be changing the narrative because they went out of their way to find proper representation by hiring an actress who uses a wheelchair.
In order for us to make true admirable progress in Hollywood, roles like Nessarose's being portrayed by actors with lived-in experiences are what matter to telling honest and heartfelt stories. And Bode gorgeously delivers a plethora of range throughout, showing viewers sides to the character that we don't always see in the stage production.
Ethan Slater - Wicked (2024)
Ethan Slater was also more known among us nerdy theatre kids who watched The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage! (2019), but it's very likely that Wicked will become one of Slater's most popular roles, and especially after Wicked: For Good, when non-Broadway fans realize exactly who he is and why he's important to the overarching story.
Slater delivers something really great and moving throughout that shows off his abilities, all while layering the character in ways that make him far more memorable. And theatre actors in general have a tremendous range under their belts that also ensures many of the roles they take on afterward will be full of incredible range.
Peter Dinklage - Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Peter Dinklage may not have his face visible to Wicked audiences as Dr. Dillamond, but his distinct voice is one most fans can recognize from a number of outstanding roles like Cyrano (2022). But most of us will likely always associate him with the incredible performances he delivered as Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones.
As TV fans, we may perpetually go back and forth between arguing about whether or not the last season is satisfying or not, but the one thing that isn't debatable is how astounding each of the performers was. And Dinklage was high up on that list, always ensuring with every episode that Tyrion became one of the most fleshed out characters. How he brought a wide range of emotions to the character is exactly why he's such a fan favorite.
