What Happened to Mamma Mia? Did Donna Die in Mamma Mia 2? How does Donna Die in Mamma Mia?
by Aishwarya R
Updated Jul 01, 2023
Mamma Mia
"Mamma Mia!" is a 2008 British-American jukebox musical romantic comedy film. It is directed by Phyllida Lloyd and written by Catherine Johnson, based on her book from the 1999 musical of the same name. The film is centered around the songs of the popular pop group ABBA, with additional music composed by ABBA member Benny Andersson.
The cast includes Christine Baranski, Pierce Brosnan, Dominic Cooper, Colin Firth, Amanda Seyfried, Stellan Skarsgård, Meryl Streep, and Julie Walters. The plot revolves around a young bride-to-be who invites three men to her wedding, each of whom could potentially be her father.
The film is a co-production between Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and it was co-produced by Playtone and Littlestar Productions. Principal photography took place primarily on the Greek island of Skopelos from August to September 2007. Universal Pictures distributed the film, which had its world premiere on June 30, 2008, in London.
ABBA members Benny Andersson, Björn Ulvaeus, Anni-Frid Lyngstad, and Agnetha Fältskog attended the premiere. The film was released theatrically on July 10 in the United Kingdom, July 17 in Germany, and July 18 in the United States. Upon release, the film received mixed reviews from critics.
While the musical numbers and production values were praised, the casting of inexperienced singers and the campy tone were criticized. Despite the mixed reception, "Mamma Mia!" proved to be a commercial success, grossing $611 million worldwide against a $52 million budget. It became the fifth highest-grossing film of 2008.
A sequel titled "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" was released on July 20, 2018, with many of the original cast members returning.
What Happened to Mamma Mia?
In "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," the character Donna Sheridan, played by Meryl Streep in the first film, has passed away by the time the present-day events of the sequel take place. The creative team decided to address Donna's absence by incorporating extended flashback sequences in which she is portrayed by Lily James. This decision was made because Meryl Streep was not available for a full-fledged second round of singing and dancing, as she typically does not participate in sequels.
According to producer Judy Craymer, they wanted Meryl Streep to be part of the sequel because she was such an integral part of the first film. However, Meryl does not typically do sequels and prefers new experiences and challenges as an actress. They knew that if Meryl were to be involved in the sequel, her role would have to be reduced and different from her previous performance. They wanted her one scene to be impactful and different from the physicality she had in the first film.
Writer/director Ol Parker proposed the idea of killing off Donna's character, as it would create a story about overcoming loss, rising above grief, and becoming oneself. He discussed this idea with Meryl, who was excited about the concept and approved it. Ol Parker then wrote the script based on this premise, and when the rest of the cast received it, they knew that Meryl Streep had already approved the storyline and was enthusiastic about being a part of it. This led the cast to readily accept their roles in the sequel.
Ultimately, "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" portrays Donna's death as a way to explore the theme of loss and personal growth, while still paying tribute to the character and incorporating Meryl Streep's presence through flashback sequences.
Did Donna Die in Mamma Mia 2?
Yes, in "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," the character Donna Sheridan, played by Meryl Streep in the first film, is revealed to have passed away. The sequel explores the aftermath of Donna's death and pays tribute to her character through flashback sequences. While Donna's presence is felt throughout the film, she is no longer alive during the present-day events of the story.
In "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," it is indeed revealed that Donna Sheridan, portrayed by Meryl Streep, has passed away. The film indicates that Donna is absent from Sophie's life, and it is implied that Sophie is pregnant and feeling anxious, much like Donna was in the late 1970s. It is stated that Donna passed away from cancer about a year prior to the events of the film.
Although Donna is no longer physically present, her memory and influence are still felt throughout the story. Sophie reflects on Donna's past and finds strength and inspiration from her mother's experiences. In a poignant scene at her grandson's christening, Donna is briefly seen in the chapel, appearing in spirit.
She says her goodbye to Sophie, affectionately calling her "My Love, My Life." The main characters, including Donna, come together to sing "Super Trouper" before the credits roll, symbolizing the enduring connection they share with her. Additionally, Donna reconciles with her mother, Ruby, mending their relationship.
How does Donna Die in Mamma Mia?
In "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again," it is revealed that Donna Sheridan, portrayed by Meryl Streep, sadly passed away from cancer a year before the events of the film. The film implies that Donna's absence has left a void in the life of her daughter, Sophie. Sophie, who is pregnant and feeling anxious, reflects on her mother's past and draws strength from her memories.
Although Donna has passed away, she briefly appears in spirit during her grandson's christening at the chapel. In this poignant scene, Donna says her goodbye to Sophie, referring to her as "My Love, My Life." It signifies a heartfelt moment of connection and closure between mother and daughter.
Additionally, Donna, along with the other main characters, comes together to sing "Super Trouper" before the credits, further emphasizing her lasting impact and presence in their lives. It is important to note that the film does not explicitly depict the details of Donna's illness or her journey with cancer, focusing instead on the impact of her death and the ways her legacy lives on through her loved ones.
Who Plays Donna in Mamma Mia?
Meryl Streep plays Donna in Mamma Mia. She was born on June 22, 1949, and is an acclaimed American actress known for her exceptional talent and versatility. Throughout her career spanning over four decades, Streep has garnered numerous accolades, including 21 Academy Award nominations, of which she has won three, and 32 Golden Globe Award nominations, of which she has won eight.
Streep began her acting journey in 1975 with a stage debut in "Trelawny of the Wells" and received a Tony Award nomination the following year. She made her film debut in "Julia" in 1977 and earned her first Primetime Emmy Award for the mini-series "Holocaust" in 1978. Her breakthrough came with an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in "Kramer vs. Kramer" (1979), followed by an Academy Award for Best Actress in "Sophie's Choice" (1982).
In the 1980s, Streep continued to deliver remarkable performances, both critically and commercially, in films such as "Out of Africa" (1985). She maintained her success in the 2000s and 2010s with notable roles in movies like "The Devil Wears Prada" (2006), "The Iron Lady" (2011), and "Little Women" (2019). Streep's stage work includes a revival of "The Seagull" and her television appearances include the miniseries "Angels in America" (2003) and the drama series "Big Little Lies" (2019).
Streep has received numerous honorary awards and recognition for her contributions to the performing arts. She has been honored with the AFI Life Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honor, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2017, she received the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award. Meryl Streep's extraordinary talent and remarkable career have solidified her status as one of the greatest actresses of her generation.
Who Plays Young Donna in Mamma Mia?
Lily James played young Donna in Mamma Mia. She is an English actress known for her notable performances on both the big screen and television. She rose to prominence with her breakthrough role as Cinderella in the fantasy film "Cinderella" (2015). Her portrayal garnered attention and established her as a talented actress.
James pursued her acting studies at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London before embarking on her career. She began gaining recognition with her role as Lady Rose MacClare in the acclaimed period drama series "Downton Abbey" (2012–2015).
Continuing her success, James went on to portray Countess Natasha Rostova in the television adaptation of "War & Peace" (2016). She also starred in various films, showcasing her versatility. Some of her notable works include the action film "Baby Driver" (2017), period dramas like "Darkest Hour" (2017), "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" (2018), and "The Dig" (2021), as well as the musicals "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" (2018) and "Yesterday" (2019).
In recent years, James gained further recognition for her portrayal of Pamela Anderson in the biographical series "Pam & Tommy" (2022), which earned her nominations for prestigious awards such as the Golden Globe Award and Primetime Emmy Award.
Lily James' talent and versatility have made her a respected figure in the entertainment industry, with a diverse range of roles showcasing her acting prowess.
What Happened to Mamma Mia - FAQs
In Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, it is revealed that Donna, played by Meryl Streep, passed away a year prior to the events of the film. Her absence is felt by her daughter Sophie, who reflects on Donna's past and the impact she had on her life.
Yes, Donna's character is confirmed to have passed away in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. The film explores the aftermath of her death and how her loved ones cope with the loss.
The exact cause of Donna's death is not explicitly stated in the film. However, it is mentioned that she passed away from cancer. The focus of the story is more on the impact of her absence and the memories she left behind.
In Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Donna's character appears in flashback sequences, portrayed by Lily James. These flashbacks provide insight into Donna's younger years and her experiences that shaped her life. While Meryl Streep's screen time is limited in the sequel, she does have a brief appearance in spirit during a poignant moment.
Despite Donna's physical absence, her presence is deeply felt throughout the film. Her daughter Sophie, along with other characters, reminisce about Donna's adventurous spirit, love for life, and the joy she brought to their lives. The film pays tribute to Donna's memory and the lasting impact she had on her loved ones.