After more than twelve months of intense speculation, the mystery surrounding the actress playing Dorothy Gale in the blockbuster musical Wicked: For Good has finally been solved. The role, one of cinema's most legendary, has been awarded to Bethany Weaver, a 30-year-old choreographer, dancer, and actress from Surrey.
The revelation came as a surprise to audiences, with Weaver's identity being confirmed only as the end credits rolled. Universal Pictures had successfully kept her casting a tightly guarded secret throughout the entire marketing campaign for the highly anticipated film.
Who is Bethany Weaver?
Bethany Weaver is a seasoned theatre professional whose career is firmly rooted in the West End. As a choreographer, she recently worked on the musical Asmahan, and her performance credits include Rumi the Musical and Broken Wings the Musical.
Weaver has long been a vocal admirer of the Wicked franchise. In a prophetic 2022 Instagram post, she wrote that she was “aggressively manifesting that one day I will be in Wicked!”—a dream that has now spectacularly come true.
Beyond her stage work, Weaver is also a qualified Pilates instructor, having built what she describes as a “mini empire” that allows her to live her dream life.
A Deliberately Hidden Dorothy
Wicked: For Good serves as the conclusion to director Jon M. Chu's two-part cinematic adaptation. The sequel brings the story closer to the familiar world of The Wizard of Oz, making Dorothy's appearance inevitable. However, Chu made a deliberate creative choice to keep the character largely out of sight.
In the film, Dorothy is seen only from behind or in profile, with her face never fully revealed. This approach mirrors her treatment in the original stage musical, where she is heard but never seen.
Director Jon M. Chu explained his reasoning to People magazine, stating, “I didn’t want to step on who you think Dorothy is in whatever story that you came into this with. It is still Elphaba and Glinda’s journey, and she is a pawn in the middle of all of it.”
Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba, praised this decision, telling Empire, “I think that’s such a wonderful thing to do, because then everyone gets to keep the Dorothy that they know.”
The End of Fan Speculation
The announcement brings to a close months of fervent guessing from the Wicked fan community. Early rumours had suggested a range of actresses for the part, from pop singer Madison Beer to Matilda the Musical star Alisha Weir.
The first Wicked film, released in 2024, was a global phenomenon, grossing more than £600 million worldwide and winning two Academy Awards. It set the stage for this final instalment, which reintroduces audiences to the complex friendship and rivalry between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande).
In Wicked: For Good, Bethany Weaver's Dorothy appears briefly along the Yellow Brick Road, calling out to the Wizard, played by Jeff Goldblum. Beyond this fleeting presence, she remains a subtle yet pivotal part of the narrative, allowing the story of the two witches to remain firmly at the forefront.
