If you haven't already noticed, (although how could you not?!), the "Barbie" movie is one of the most hotly anticipated films of the summer. Buzz has been building ahead of its 21 July release, meaning it's almost time to bust out your best Barbiecore looks [1], blast that classic Aqua song [2], and head to the cinema.
"Barbie" takes the iconic doll of our childhood, and thrusts her into a story of existential angst, personal growth, and finding her way in the real world – all with a healthy dose of glitter, musical numbers, and rollerblading! Written and Directed by Academy Award Nominee Greta Gerwig ("Lady Bird" and "Little Women"), the film isn't just a bit of fun too, but is expected to be as much of a critical darling as it is a crowd-pleaser. It's a huge production, with no expense spared: the film even caused an international shortage of pink paint, according to Architectural Digest [3].
Given that it's one of the biggest blockbusters of 2023, its large scale means that it also boasts a cast of megastars, led by Margot Robbie [4] and Ryan Gosling [5] at the helm. The film's cast is essentially a toy aisle full of Barbies and Kens, played by beloved actors from both sides of the pond (as well as a few Australians, too). Even though Barbie exists as the epitome of the modern American woman, there have been many British dolls over the years as well. The film's production was predonimantly filmed in the Warner Bros. studios in Hertfordshire, so it makes sense that "Barbie" actually has a heavily British cast. Ranging from national treasures such as Dame Helen Mirren [6], to British comedy stars like Jamie Demetriou, to pop sensation Dua Lipa [7], it's safe to say that us Brits have certainly made our presence known in this upcoming summer hit.
With a host of British and Irish Barbies, a bunch of British men with Ken-ergy, and a few other characters in the film played by people from this side of the pond, it's likely you've seen this homegrown talent elsewhere before they got a "Barbie" makeover [8]. Keep reading to see who to look out for in Greta Gerwig's "Barbie" and where you might recognise them from.
Dua Lipa in "Barbie"
From popstar to mermaid, Dua Lipa stars in "Barbie" as the classic mermaid doll, complete with changing hair colours.
With her awards over the years including six Brit awards and three Grammys, it's safe to say that the singer is a household name. Her hits include "One Kiss", "New Rules", and "Levitating". She also features on the soundtrack for "Barbie" [9], with her song "Dance The Night" out now, which also features in the film's trailer.
"Barbie" marks her first venture into film, though she will also star in the upcoming spy thriller "Argylle" alongside Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, Bryce Dallas Howard, and more.
Emma Mackey in "Barbie"
The first of many members of the "Sex Education" cast to appear in "Barbie", Emma Mackey is best known for her role as Maeve Wiley on the hit Netflix comedy. Since breaking out in that role, she has gone on to lead a number of films including "Emily", exploring the life of "Wuthering Heights" author Emily Brontë. She also starred in Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of the classic Agatha Christie novel, "Death on the Nile". She scored herself more recognition from BAFTA when she won the Rising Star Award this year [10].
Her character in "Barbie" has been described as a physicist Barbie with a Nobel Prize. Given that she has often been likened to Margot Robbie [11], it'll be interesting to see the pair on screen together.
Sharon Rooney in "Barbie"
Another actor best known for her role in a Channel 4 comedy, Scottish actress Sharon Rooney made her debut in "My Mad Fat Diary". The show, based on the novel by Rae Earl, won multiple BAFTAs during its run, and also helped to launch the career of Jodie Comer ("Killing Eve").
Rooney has appeared in a number of other television series including "Sherlock", "Two Doors Down", and "Brief Encounters". On the big screen she had a starring role in Disney's live-action remake of "Dumbo" in which she played the circus performer, Miss Atlantis. She also starred alongside Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy in "The Electrical Life of Louis Wain."
Her Barbie is a lawyer who wears a lilac suit and has an iconic high pony.
Ritu Arya in "Barbie"
British actor Ritu Arya is having quite the year. Following the success of the British Asian Comedy film "Polite Society [12]", Arya will be playing a Barbie that is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist.
Arya got her start in British soap opera "Doctors", playing Dr Megan Sharma. She went on to play a number of roles in shows including "Sherlock", "Humans", "Doctor Who", and "Feel Good". However, she was boosted to international acclaim after her breakout role as Lila on the Netflix superhero show, "The Umbrella Academy [13]". This recognition led to her also being cast in the action film "Red Notice" alongside the likes of Dwayne Johnson, Ryan Reynolds [14], and Gal Gadot.
As well as being an actor, and one who does a lot of her own stunts, Arya is also a musician, having been a drummer in the band KIN for a number of years.
Ncuti Gatwa in "Barbie"
Arguably the most memorable star of "Sex Education", Ncuti Gatwa made his name playing Otis's lovable best friend Eric Effiong on the show. Gatwa quickly became renowned for his comic delivery, meaningful coming-out story [15], and his representation of the intersection of African culture and LGBTQ+ identity. The role earned him a plethora of BAFTA nominations, with a win from BAFTA Scotland.
In 2022, it was announced that Gatwa would be taking on one of the most iconic British television roles, stepping in to play the next iteration of The Doctor on "Doctor Who" [16]. Gatwa, the 15th actor to play the character, will be introduced as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations for the show later this year.
In "Barbie", Gatwa plays another Ken, and this character poster shows him wielding a guitar and donning a cowboy hat, suggesting that he is a Ken from a cowboy set.
Kingsley Ben-Adir in "Barbie"
Kingsley Ben-Adir is an actor who has worked across film, television, and theatre. His catalogue ranges from having starred in the ITV staple "Vera", to being on "Peaky Blinders" to playing Malcolm X in the critically-acclaimed film "One Night in Miami."
He currently features in the Disney+ Marvel series "Secret Invasion" [17], starring alongside Samuel L. Jackson [18], Ben Mendelsohn, Emilia Clarke, and Olivia Colman. He has also been cast in an upcoming film as Bob Marley.
In "Barbie", he plays one of the many Kens, and can be seen in the trailer ready for battle alongside Ryan Gosling [19] and Ncuti Gatwa.
Emerald Fennell in "Barbie"
Academy Award-winning writer and actress Emerald Fennell will be playing one of the most controversial Barbie dolls to ever exist: Midge. Midge is also a real Barbie doll who was introduced at the same time as Skipper (Barbie's younger sister). She was first released in the 1960s as Barbie's friend, and then rereleased in the 1980s as Allan's wife. Mattel sold a pregnant Midge doll causing debate at the time.
Fennell is no stranger to controversy, having played Camilla, the Queen Consort, in seasons three and four of "The Crown". Prior to that, her biggest television role was on "Call the Midwife", starring as Nurse Patsy Mount.
However, she is also known for having written and directed the film "Promising Young Woman", starring Carey Mulligan [20], about a woman who exacts revenge on sexual predators. The film won her an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. She also served as a writer on "Killing Eve".
Jamie Demetriou in "Barbie"
Jamie Demetriou is best known for playing the titular incompetent letting agent in "Stath Lets Flats", a show which he also wrote. He has also guest starred in other comedy series including "Fleabag", "Miracle Workers", and "The Great". He recently was also part of the main cast of "The Afterparty", an AppleTV+ murder mystery comedy, created by Lord and Miller ("21 Jump Street", "The Lego Movie").
He is no stranger to film either, having starred in "Paddington 2", "Horrible Histories: The Movie", and "Cruella", among a number of other titles.
In the "Barbie" universe, he doesn't quite have Ken-ergy, and will instead be playing one of the Mattel employees that Barbie encounters in the real world. As his character poster sums up: "he's a suit".
Connor Swindells in "Barbie"
Another "Sex Education" alumni, Connor Swindells is a British actor best known for playing Adam Groff, the headmaster's son, in the Netflix comedy. At the start of the show, he bullied Eric, played by his "Barbie" co-star Ncuti Gatwa, but the pair went on to have a romantic relationship later in the show.
Currently, Swindells stars in the BBC War drama, "SAS: Rogue Heroes", as the lead character David Stirling.
His film credits include "The Vanishing", and "Emma" alongside Anya Taylor-Joy and Mia Goth. He'll be playing another human character in "Barbie", presumably another employee at Mattel. The trailer implies that he might be an assistant to Will Ferrell [21]'s executive character.
Helen Mirren in "Barbie"
One of the most prolific British actors to have graced the stage and screen, Dame Helen Mirren [22] is joining the Barbie-verse as The Narrator of the whole film. Her precise and powerful voice could be heard in the initial teaser trailer, which parodied "2001: A Space Odyssey".
With a career that spans over half a century, Mirren is one of the most recognised actors in the world, needing only a Grammy to complete the coveted EGOT awards combination [23] (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony). She is famous for her work in a number of Shakespeare plays, both on the stage and the screen. She has also starred in a number of iconic films such as "The Queen", "Gosford Park", and "Calendar Girls".
While some may deem her too serious for a film like "Barbie", Mirren has demonstrated her more playful side over the years by starring in recent films such as "Fast X", and "Shazam: Fury of the Gods". She also lent her voice to another camp classic, "Glee", on which she featured as the voiceover of Becky Jackson's (Lauren Potter) thoughts.
Nicola Coughlan in "Barbie"
And, while not officially British, we couldn't ignore our Irish bestie. Getting her start as the "the wee lesbian" Claire Devlin in Channel 4 comedy "Derry Girls", Nicola Coughlan [24] is better known these days for playing Penelope Featherington in "Bridgerton [25]".
The Irish actress has blossomed over the first two seasons of the Netflix, and with the stunning character stills revealed from season three, Penelope is about to show the Ton exactly who she is. With the upcoming season [26] focussing on the relationship between Penelope and Colin (Luke Newton), Coughlan is set to be more prominent than she has previously been on the show.
"Barbie" allows the actor to go back to her comedic roots, playing a diplomat Barbie with bright red hair, and kitted out in sparkly pink.
Rob Brydon in "Barbie"
Rob Brydon is perhaps best known for playing Bryn West in the BBC sitcom "Gavin & Stacey", as well as hosting much-loved comedy show "Would I Lie to You".
The Welsh actor is now featuring in the "Barbie" movie as Sugar Daddy Ken, confirming his cameo on Twitter [27]. "Had a great time at the Barbie premiere celebrating my pivotal role as Sugar Daddy Ken. When you go to see this amazing film please don't blink."