Honestly, it’s hard to believe it has been nearly ten years since we first saw Louisa Clark’s bumblebee tights. When people talk about actors in Me Before You, they usually start and end with the leads. That’s fair. Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin had chemistry that felt like lightning in a bottle. But if you actually rewatch the movie today, you realize the supporting cast was stacked with heavy hitters. We’re talking about people who went on to lead massive franchises or who were already legends in their own right.
The movie isn't just a tear-jerker. It’s a masterclass in casting. You've got the mother of dragons, a Hunger Games victor, a Doctor Who, and a Tywin Lannister all sharing the same screen. It’s wild.
The Heart of the Movie: Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin
Emilia Clarke was a revelation as Lou. At the time, she was primarily known for being the fierce, stoic Daenerys Targaryen. Seeing her play someone so bubbly, awkward, and fashion-challenged was a total shock to the system. She used her eyebrows more in those two hours than most actors do in their entire careers. It wasn't just "acting" goofy; she captured that specific kind of working-class optimism that Jojo Moyes wrote so beautifully in the original novel.
Then there’s Sam Claflin. Playing Will Traynor was a massive technical challenge. Because the character is a quadriplegic, Sam had to convey everything through his eyes and slight neck movements. He couldn't rely on body language. He lost a significant amount of weight for the role to realistically portray the physical toll of his condition. His transformation from a bitter, cynical man to someone who finds a flicker of joy again is why the ending still hurts so much.
People often debate if the romance was "real." Honestly, it’s the friction that makes it work. They didn't like each other at first. That's the secret sauce.
The Supporting Cast You Probably Forgot
Beyond the central couple, the actors in Me Before You provided a grounded sense of reality to a very heavy story.
Janet McTeer and Charles Dance played Will’s parents, Camilla and Steven Traynor. Having Charles Dance—literally Tywin Lannister—playing a father desperate to save his son added a layer of gravitas that the movie desperately needed. He wasn't a villain here. He was just a man watching his world crumble.
And don't forget Matthew Lewis. Most people know him as Neville Longbottom, but in this film, he played Patrick, Lou’s fitness-obsessed boyfriend. He was perfectly annoying. He wasn't a bad guy, just a guy who cared more about his triathlons than his girlfriend’s emotional needs. It was a great bit of character work that showed Lewis could do more than just wizarding world stuff.
Jenna Coleman and the Doctor Who Connection
Jenna Coleman played Lou’s sister, Treena. At the time, she was right in the middle of her run as Clara Oswald on Doctor Who. Her chemistry with Emilia Clarke felt like actual sisters. They bickered. They supported each other. Treena was the "smart" one, and that dynamic created a lot of the subtle tension in the Clark household.
It’s interesting to note that Stephen Peacocke, who played Will’s medical caregiver Nathan, also brought a much-needed male perspective to Will’s life. He was the one who didn't pity Will. He just treated him like a guy. That’s a nuance often lost in films about disability.
🔗 Read more: Did Shawn Johnson Win Dancing with the Stars? What Really Happened
Behind the Scenes and Casting Choices
Director Thea Sharrock was very specific about who she wanted. She didn't want "Hollywood" versions of these characters. She wanted people who felt British, lived-in, and real.
The casting process was intense. Reports from the set suggest that Emilia and Sam hit it off almost instantly during chemistry reads. That’s not always a given. Sometimes you put two beautiful people in a room and absolutely nothing happens. Here, the energy was palpable.
- They spent weeks rehearsing the "dance" scene in the wheelchair.
- The costume designer, Jill Taylor, purposely sourced clothes that looked like Lou could actually afford them on a waitress's wage.
- The castle scenes were filmed at Pembroke Castle in Wales, providing a cold, imposing backdrop that contrasted with Lou’s colorful personality.
Why the Performance Matters More Than the Plot
The plot of Me Before You is controversial. Let’s be real. Many disability rights advocates criticized the film’s ending, arguing it sent a dangerous message about the value of life with a disability. It’s a valid and necessary conversation.
However, the reason the film remains a staple on streaming platforms isn't because everyone agrees with the ending. It's because the performances are so damn earnest. When Lou cries, you cry. When Will smiles for the first time in two years, you feel that victory.
The actors in Me Before You didn't treat it like a "disability movie." They treated it like a character study. Sam Claflin reportedly spent time with consultants and people living with spinal cord injuries to ensure his portrayal wasn't a caricature. He wanted to understand the daily frustrations—the things people don't see, like the autonomic dysreflexia or the constant threat of infection.
Where Are They Now?
Looking back, this movie was a springboard for several careers.
- Emilia Clarke: Went on to do Solo: A Star Wars Story and several West End plays. She’s also become a major advocate for brain injury recovery after sharing her own health struggles.
- Sam Claflin: He’s become a bit of a period-piece king, starring in Daisy Jones & The Six and Peaky Blinders.
- Vanessa Kirby: She had a small role as Will's ex-girlfriend, Alicia. Since then? She’s been nominated for an Oscar and dominated The Crown as Princess Margaret.
It’s a rare thing for a mid-budget romantic drama to have a cast that remains this relevant a decade later.
Finding the Truth in the Performance
If you're watching it for the first time, or maybe the tenth, pay attention to the silence. Some of the best acting in this movie happens when no one is talking. It’s in the way Lou looks at her father (played by the excellent Brendan Coyle of Downton Abbey fame) when he loses his job. It’s in the way Will’s mother looks at him when she knows she can't change his mind.
The film succeeds because it feels like a collection of real people making impossible choices. You might hate the choice Will makes. You might think Lou was naive. But you can't deny that the people on screen made you believe they were feeling every bit of that pain.
Final Takeaways for Fans
If you want to dive deeper into the world of the actors in Me Before You, start by looking at their stage work. Many of these actors come from a heavy theater background, which explains why the dialogue-heavy scenes feel so sharp.
- Check out the behind-the-scenes features on the Blu-ray if you can find them; the chemistry between Sam and Emilia is even more obvious when they aren't in character.
- Read Jojo Moyes' follow-up books, After You and Still Me, but keep in mind that the movie only covers the first book.
- Look for the small cameos. The world of British acting is small, and you’ll see familiar faces from Broadchurch and Sherlock popping up in the background.
The legacy of the film isn't just the tears. It’s the reminder that a well-cast movie can turn a simple story into something that stays in your head for years. Whether you agree with the themes or not, the talent involved is undeniable.
Next Steps for Your Rewatch:
To get the most out of your next viewing, pay close attention to the color palette. Notice how the colors around Will change as Lou becomes a bigger part of his life. It’s a subtle visual cue that matches the emotional heavy lifting being done by the cast. Also, keep an eye out for the subtle differences in how Lou dresses when she's at home versus when she's at the castle—it tells a story of its own.