When Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again hit theaters in 2018, it did something pretty risky for a sequel to a beloved jukebox musical. It basically pulled a Godfather II. Half the movie is a prequel, and the other half is a sequel, which meant the casting department had to find younger versions of some of the most iconic actors in Hollywood.
Honestly, trying to find someone who can match the energy of Meryl Streep is a nightmare. But they did it. The actors in Mamma Mia 2 are this wild mix of returning legends and "who is that?" newcomers who ended up becoming massive stars.
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The Massive Casting Gamble of Young Donna
Lily James was 29 when she took on the role of Young Donna Sheridan. That is a lot of pressure. You've got to play a character that Meryl Streep—arguably the greatest living actress—already defined. James actually spent weeks studying Meryl’s movements in the first film. She even mimicked Streep’s specific laugh.
She broke her toe during the "Waterloo" sequence but kept going on painkillers. That’s commitment.
The weirdest part? Meryl Streep is barely in the movie. Her character, Donna, has passed away five years prior to the events of the sequel. Fans were devastated. Director Ol Parker explained that it wasn't a scheduling issue; Meryl actually loved the idea of the story focusing on the legacy Donna left behind. She only appears at the very end as a spirit during the christening of Sophie’s baby. It’s a total tear-jerker.
Comparing the Two Generations of Dads
The "three dads" are the heart of the franchise. Seeing the older versions interact with their younger counterparts is one of the best parts of the film.
Sam Carmichael
- Older: Pierce Brosnan (back for more singing, despite the internet's opinions on his voice).
- Younger: Jeremy Irvine. Fun fact: Jeremy turned down roles in big franchises like The Hunger Games before, but he jumped at the chance to be a young Pierce Brosnan.
Harry Bright
- Older: Colin Firth.
- Younger: Hugh Skinner. Hugh is basically a master of the "awkward British guy" trope. He nailed Colin Firth’s specific brand of polite bumbling.
Bill Anderson
- Older: Stellan Skarsgård.
- Younger: Josh Dylan. This was Josh’s first big breakout role. He brings that rugged, sailor vibe that made Bill such a heartbreaker in the first place.
Why Cher and Andy Garcia Were Added
You can't talk about the actors in Mamma Mia 2 without mentioning the legend herself: Cher. She plays Ruby Sheridan, Donna’s mother.
Here’s the thing that always trips people up—Cher is only three years older than Meryl Streep in real life. But in the world of ABBA, age is just a number. Cher hadn’t been in a movie for seven years before this. She only did it because her former agent, Ron Meyer, who was the head of Universal at the time, basically told her she was doing it. No questions asked.
Then there’s Andy Garcia. He plays Fernando Cienfuegos, the manager of the Hotel Bella Donna. His entire character was invented specifically so they would have an excuse to have Cher sing "Fernando." It was a piece of "reverse engineering," according to the writers. It worked.
The Dynamics of the Dynamos
The friendship between Donna, Tanya, and Rosie is the glue of the series. While Julie Walters and Christine Baranski returned as the older versions, the younger versions had to feel like they’d been friends for decades.
Alexa Davies played Young Rosie (the Julie Walters role). She spent hours watching Acorn Antiques and other Julie Walters classics to get the comedic timing right. Jessica Keenan Wynn played Young Tanya. She actually has a theatrical background—she was in Heathers: The Musical—which explains why her performance in "Does Your Mother Know" felt so polished.
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They spent months in Croatia, which stood in for the Greek island of Kalokairi. The cast basically lived together in a bubble. They’d have dinner every night and sing ABBA songs even when the cameras weren't rolling. You can actually feel that chemistry on screen. It doesn't feel forced.
The Full Cast List Breakdown
If you're looking for the specific names of the smaller roles or the ensemble that made those massive dance numbers work, here is the breakdown of the primary players.
The Present-Day Cast
Amanda Seyfried as Sophie Sheridan. She’s the lead this time around.
Dominic Cooper as Sky.
Pierce Brosnan as Sam.
Stellan Skarsgård as Bill.
Colin Firth as Harry.
Christine Baranski as Tanya.
Julie Walters as Rosie.
Cher as Ruby Sheridan.
Andy Garcia as Fernando.
Meryl Streep as Donna Sheridan.
The 1979 Flashback Cast
Lily James as Young Donna.
Jessica Keenan Wynn as Young Tanya.
Alexa Davies as Young Rosie.
Jeremy Irvine as Young Sam.
Josh Dylan as Young Bill.
Hugh Skinner as Young Harry.
The Impact and the Numbers
The film was a massive hit, proving that people weren't over ABBA yet. It grossed about $395 million worldwide against a budget of $75 million. Critically, many people actually liked it better than the first one because the singing was technically better (thanks to Lily James and Amanda Seyfried) and the story had more emotional weight.
The soundtrack also dominated the charts. "When I Kissed the Teacher" and "Andante, Andante" became huge hits all over again.
What to Watch For Next Time
If you're planning a re-watch, keep an eye on the cameos. Björn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson from ABBA both make appearances. Björn is a professor in the opening "When I Kissed the Teacher" number, and Benny is playing the piano in the bar during "Waterloo."
The film also uses a lot of subtle costume cues. The younger versions of the characters often wear colors that match their older counterparts' outfits from the first movie. It's a nice touch that helps bridge the two timelines.
If you're looking for more musical deep dives or want to know what the cast is up to now, you should check out the behind-the-scenes featurettes on the Blu-ray. They show just how much of the "island" was actually built on a soundstage in London versus the location shoots in Vis, Croatia.
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To get the most out of your next viewing, pay close attention to the lyrics of "My Love, My Life." It’s the moment where the transition from Meryl to Lily feels most earned. It's not just a movie about a girl with three dads anymore; it’s a movie about the cycle of motherhood.
Practical Next Steps for Fans
- Check the Location: If you want to visit where they filmed, look up Vis, Croatia. It's much less crowded than Skopelos (where the first movie was shot).
- Listen to the Deleted Tracks: The soundtrack includes "I Wonder (Departure)" which didn't make the final theatrical cut but features a great performance by the younger cast.
- Follow the Newcomers: Actors like Josh Dylan and Hugh Skinner have gone on to do great work in shows like The End of the F*ing World and The Serpent Queen.