What Happened to Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia? How Old was She in the Movie?
by Ayisha
Updated Jul 03, 2023
What Happened to Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia?
Meryl Streep's character Donna Sheridan is not fully present in the film due to creative choices and Streep's own preferences. The filmmakers decided to incorporate a prequel element into the story and to do so, they made the decision to have Donna's character die between the end of the first movie and the start of the second.
This allowed them to explore Donna's story through flashback sequences, with Lily James portraying a younger version of the character. Streep, intrigued by the concept, agreed to be involved in the film but took on a smaller role.
Although Streep's character is no longer alive in the present timeline of the film, she appears in a minor scene as a ghost and sings a couple of songs. The decision to have her character play a limited role was partly influenced by Streep's own preference.
She liked the idea of leaving the spotlight to the younger cast members and exploring the emotional depth of the story without taking on a major role. By taking on this smaller part, Streep was still able to be involved in the project while allowing the focus to shift to the next generation of characters.
Why did Meryl Streep Leave Mamma Mia?
Meryl Streep didn't actually leave "Mamma Mia!" Rather, her reduced presence in the sequel, "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," was a result of creative decisions and her own preferences. The filmmakers wanted to incorporate a prequel element into the story, which involved showing flashbacks of Donna Sheridan's character.
To achieve this, they decided to have Donna die between the first and second movies. This allowed them to explore Donna's backstory and life through the use of flashback sequences, with a younger version of the character portrayed by Lily James.
Streep was intrigued by this concept and agreed to be a part of the film. Streep's decision to take on a smaller role in the sequel was partly influenced by her desire to leave the spotlight to the younger cast members. She liked the idea of focusing on the emotional depth of the story and exploring the themes of life, marriage, loss, and love without being the central character.
By accepting a minor scene as a ghost and singing a couple of songs, Streep was still able to contribute to the project while allowing the younger generation to take the lead. Her involvement in the film showcased her support for the creative direction and provided continuity to the original movie.
How Old was Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia 1?
Meryl Streep was 59 years old when she appeared in the first "Mamma Mia!" film in 2008. Born on June 22, 1949, Streep's remarkable talent and versatility as an actress made her a perfect fit for the role of Donna Sheridan-Carmichael, the central character, and mother of Sophie.
Streep's portrayal of Donna showcased her ability to immerse herself in diverse roles and bring authenticity to her characters. "Mamma Mia!" marked a significant milestone in Streep's career.
The film, directed by Phyllida Lloyd and based on the ABBA-inspired musical of the same name, became a massive success at the box office. Streep's performance was widely praised, contributing to the film's popularity and solidifying her status as one of the most celebrated actresses of her generation. At the age of 59, Streep proved that her talent and charm transcended age, captivating audiences with her portrayal of Donna in this beloved musical romantic comedy.
Mamma Mia
"Mamma Mia!" is a popular 2008 jukebox musical romantic comedy film directed by Phyllida Lloyd and written by Catherine Johnson. Based on Johnson's book from the 1999 stage musical of the same name, the film brings to life the popular songs of ABBA, with additional music composed by Benny Andersson.
The star-studded ensemble cast includes Meryl Streep, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Julie Walters, among others. The story revolves around a young bride-to-be, Sophie, who invites three potential fathers to her wedding on a Greek island. The film takes viewers on a delightful and entertaining journey filled with love, laughter, and catchy musical numbers.
Shot primarily on the picturesque island of Skopelos, Greece, the film captures the beauty of its setting while immersing audiences in the vibrant world of ABBA's music.
Despite the mixed reviews, the film achieved remarkable success at the box office, grossing over $611 million worldwide. Its commercial triumph solidified its place as one of the highest-grossing films of 2008. The popularity of "Mamma Mia!" led to the release of a sequel, "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," in 2018, which reunited many of the original cast members for another joyous musical adventure.
Mamma Mia Cast
Meryl Streep
Donna Sheridan-Carmichael
Amanda Seyfried
Sophie Sheridan
Christine Baranski
Tanya Chesham-Leigh
Julie Walters
Rosie Mulligan
Pierce Brosnan
Sam Carmichael
Colin Firth
Harry Bright
Stellan Skarsgård
Bill Anderson
Dominic Cooper
Sky Ramand
Niall Buggy
Father Alex
Chris Jarvis
Eddie
Ashley Lilley
Ali
Rachel McDowall
Lisa
Philip Michael
Pepper
Juan Pablo Di Pace
Petros
Enzo Squillino
Gregoris
Ricardo Montez
Stavros
Benny Andersson
"Dancing Queen" piano player
Spencer Kayden
Agnes
Björn Ulvaeus
Greek god
Rita Wilson
Greek goddess
Actor
Character
What Happened to Meryl Streep in Mamma Mia? - FAQs
Meryl Streep portrayed the role of Donna Sheridan-Carmichael in the film.
Meryl Streep was 59 years old when she appeared in the first "Mamma Mia!"
Meryl Streep did not leave the program but her presence was reduced in the sequel.
The plot follows a young bride-to-be who invites three men to her upcoming wedding, with the possibility that any of them could be her father.
"Mamma Mia!" was directed by Phyllida Lloyd.