The most talked-about film release of 2023, Barbie, which was finally released last Friday, has not only secured its status as a box office hit, but also its place in cultural history. Having earned £293 million in its opening weekend around the world, it's the all-time biggest debut for a film directed by a woman (not bad for director Greta Gerwig, best known for Little Woman and Lady Bird, who until recently was considered an indie director).
But what really shone about this film, together with its stunning visual display, clever scripting and – as mentioned - the remarkable female director at the helm of it, is its cast, featuring the biggest and brightest Hollywood names, both established household names like Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling and America Ferrera, but also rising stars like several members of the Sex Education cast and Hari Nef.
With significant cast members in their droves (think: multiple Barbies and Kens!), it can be uniquely hard for Barbie film fans to keep track of who plays whom – this, I write as the viewer who failed to recognise megastar Dua Lipa in her cameo as Mermaid Barbie. And so, in a bid to provide a definitive Who's Who guide to all the Barbie stars, here's everything you need to know about the star-studded cast line-up:
What is Margot Robbie's role in Barbie?
The Australian actor plays Stereotypical Barbie, the centrepiece of the entire film. Robbie was also a producer on the project and was deeply involved all the following Barbies and Kens.
Who plays Ken?
Ryan Gosling plays Stereotypical Ken if you like, the romantic interest and sidekick to Margot Robbie's Barbie. They escape Barbieland together to the real world and get up to all kinds of hi-jinks – and Gosling has been praised thus far for his awesome, comedic “Ken-ergy”.
Who plays President Barbie?
Issa Rae – known for her roles in Insecure and the Spider-Man/Spider-verse films – will play the Barbie who governs the entirety of Barbieland, pretty damn cool.
Who does America Ferrera play?
She doesn't actually play a Barbie – America plays Gloria, a human woman who plays with Stereotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie) and establishes a special connection with the doll.
Who does Nicola Coughlan play?
In a departure from her Bridgerton role, Nicola will play Diplomat Barbie. Exciting times. We know that her role is quite brief, and that her outfit in the movie is inspired by her childhood toy.
Who plays Weird Barbie?
Kate McKinnon plays Weird Barbie, the name other dolls have given her because she's a bit unconventional, but she's also known as Gymnast Barbie. The idea is that she's been played with roughly, so her body gets stuck in the splits and her appearance is a bit more dishevelled than the other dolls.
Who plays Midge?
Emerald Fennell will play Midge, Barbie's best friend. IRL, Midge was controversially discontinued due to arguments that it was inappropriate to market a pregnant, teenage-looking doll. She made a return though, marrying Allan (played in the movie by Michael Cera).
Who plays Lawyer Barbie?
Sharon Rooney, star of My Mad Fat Diary and Two Doors Down, will play Lawyer Barbie.
Who will Dua Lipa play?
We see the pop singer appear as a beautiful creature of the deep in many of Ken's beach scenes. Loving the blue hair.
Who will Michael Cera play?
The Super Bad and Juno actor will play Allan, who marries Midge – Barbie's best friend. The Allan doll was presumed by many fans to be involved with Ken in a homosexual relationship, receiving some backlash in the 20th century. We'll see how he's represented in the film.
Who will Kingsley Ben-Adir play?
The actor will play a Ken doll that helms the patriarchy takeover when Stereotypical Barbie and Ken leave Barbieland. Does that make him a villain?
Who will Sex Education's Ncuti Gatwa play?
He will also play a Ken doll – cannot wait to see the vibes he brings to the role.
Who does Fleabag's Jamie Demetriou's play?
Actor & comedian Jamie Demetriou is best known for his role in Fleabag, playing the less-than-flatteringly titled character, Bus Rodent (featuring fake teeth). In Barbie, Jamie is one of the myriad “suits” working for Barbie creator company, Mattel.
Who is Ariana Greenblatt's character?
Rising star Ariana Greenblatt plays Sasha, the sassy daughter of America Ferrera's character, Gloria, in the Barbie film. The 15-year-old is originally believed to be the “human” owner of Margot Robbie's Stereotypical Barbie doll – but it is later revealed that this is incorrect.
Who will Ritu Arya play?
British actor Ritu Arya is best known for her role as Dr. Megan Sharma in Doctors (2013-2017), and she has more recently appeared in The Umbrella Academy. In Barbie, she plays a Pulitzer Prize winning “Journalist Barbie”.
Who does Alexandra Shipp play in Barbie?
We adored the steady stream of career-themed Barbie characters, including Alexander Shipp's “Author Barbie”, completed with cat-eye glasses that look like something Elle Woods would have worn in Legally Blonde.
Who does Emma Mackey play in Barbie?
Sex Education's Emma Mackey is a Nobel Prize winning physicist in the film – quite the leap from playing a student!
Who does Hari Nef play in Barbie?Hari Nef, a transgender model and actor, plays Doctor Barbie in the star-studded film.
Who does Will Ferrell play in Barbie?
Will Ferrell's role as Mattel's Machiavellian CEO in Barbie is nothing short of genius casting, following on from his role voicing Lord Business in the Lego movies.
Who does Sex Education's Connor Swindells play in Barbie?
The Sex Education actor plays hapless, undervalued employee Aaron Dinkins in the Barbie film.
Who does Helen Mirren play in Barbie?
While we would have loved to see Helen Mirren actually appear in full-on Barbie attire in the film, the next best thing was hearing her recognisable voice throughout as the film's narrator.
Who does Ana Cruz Kayne play in Barbie?
Ana Cruz Kayne, who worked with director Greta Gerwig acting in a supporting role in the Little Women film, plays Supreme Court Justice Barbie in the film – complete with a bright pink, plastic-looking gavel & block.
