The Secret Identity: Who Plays Dorothy In The Wicked Movie And Why Her Face Is Never Shown

The question of "Who plays Dorothy in *Wicked*?" has been one of the biggest mysteries surrounding the highly anticipated two-part film adaptation, and the answer is finally out, though it comes with a major twist. As of late 2024, the actress confirmed to portray the iconic Kansas girl, Dorothy Gale, in the cinematic universe is the talented British stage performer and choreographer, Bethany Weaver. This casting is a fresh and unique choice, but the most compelling detail is that her portrayal is intentionally designed to be a "faceless" role, a creative decision that honors the source material and shifts the focus entirely to the untold story of Elphaba and Glinda.

The director, Jon M. Chu, made a strategic choice to reveal the actress only after the release of the second film, *Wicked: For Good*, concluding a year-long speculation from fans of the beloved Broadway musical. The decision to cast a relative newcomer like Weaver, and then obscure her face, is a bold move that emphasizes the film's core message: this is *not* Dorothy's story, but the Wicked Witch of the West's origin story, a narrative that precedes the famous trip down the Yellow Brick Road.

Bethany Weaver: The Actress Behind the Ruby Slippers

Bethany Weaver is the actress who takes on the pivotal, yet intentionally obscured, role of Dorothy Gale in the two-part film adaptation of *Wicked*. While her name may be new to silver screen audiences, Weaver is an accomplished figure in the UK’s theatre and dance community, bringing a wealth of stage experience and a deep understanding of musical storytelling to the role.

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Bethany Weaver: A Biographical Profile

• Role in *Wicked*: Dorothy Gale in *Wicked: For Good* (2025).
• Nationality: British.
• Primary Career: Dancer, Choreographer, and Actress.
• Base: Surrey, United Kingdom.
• Notable Stage Credits (Actress/Dancer): Ensemble cast member in *Rumi the Musical* (2018) and *Broken Wings the Musical* (2018).
• Notable Stage Credits (Choreographer): She has choreographed several productions, including *Asmahan* at the Peacock Theatre and *Umm Kulthum*.
• Debut: *Wicked* marks her movie debut.

Weaver's background as a choreographer and dancer is particularly relevant, as the role of Dorothy, though faceless, requires precise physical acting to convey the character's presence and impact on the Land of Oz. Her experience in West End-level productions, such as *Rumi the Musical*, ensures that the character, even in silhouette and profile, possesses the necessary theatrical gravitas. Following the reveal of her casting, Weaver expressed her gratitude on social media, calling the experience "life-changing".

The Creative Choice: Why Dorothy is a ‘Faceless’ Character

The most intriguing aspect of the Dorothy Gale casting is the intentional decision by director Jon M. Chu to keep the character's face largely unseen throughout the film. This is a powerful, deliberate artistic choice that serves multiple narrative and thematic purposes, directly addressing the core conflict of the *Wicked* story.

Honoring the Stage Musical’s Tradition

In the original Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, Dorothy Gale is a catalyst for the plot but is never actually seen on stage. Her presence is only ever heard as a voice offstage, or alluded to through the actions of other characters, such as the famous "house drop". The film's decision to show her in profile or silhouette, as confirmed in *Wicked: For Good*, is an expansion of the stage concept, giving her a slightly larger physical presence while still maintaining the fundamental principle that she is a supporting figure in *this* narrative.

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Shifting the Focus to Elphaba and Glinda

The entire premise of Gregory Maguire’s novel and the subsequent musical is to tell the "untold story of the Witches of Oz," specifically Elphaba (the Wicked Witch) and Glinda (the Good Witch). By keeping Dorothy faceless, the filmmakers ensure that the audience's attention remains squarely on the relationship, conflict, and journey of the two main protagonists, played by Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande. The faceless Dorothy symbolizes the external, often misunderstood, force that disrupts Elphaba's life and solidifies her tragic destiny.

Avoiding Comparison to the Classic

The role of Dorothy Gale is eternally linked to Judy Garland’s iconic performance in the 1939 film *The Wizard of Oz*. By not showing a new actress's face, the film avoids the inevitable and impossible comparisons to Garland's legendary portrayal. This creative strategy allows the *Wicked* film to exist as its own distinct work, a prequel that respects the classic without attempting to recast its most famous character.

The Wider Wicked Movie Cast and Release Dates

The story of Dorothy is only a small piece of the larger *Wicked* universe. The two-part film adaptation, directed by Jon M. Chu, is one of the most highly anticipated movie events of the decade, featuring an A-list ensemble cast.

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Key Cast Members and Characters

• Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp: The future Wicked Witch of the West, whose story is at the heart of the narrative. Erivo is a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy Award winner.
• Ariana Grande as Glinda Upland: The future Glinda the Good, Elphaba's friend, and rival. Grande is a Grammy-winning pop star and actress.
• Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero Tigelaar: The romantic lead who becomes involved in a love triangle with Elphaba and Glinda.
• Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible: The headmistress of Shiz University, who recognizes Elphaba’s magical potential.
• Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard of Oz: The mysterious and powerful ruler of the Emerald City.
• Ethan Slater as Boq: A Munchkin student at Shiz University.
• Marissa Bode as Nessarose Thropp: Elphaba's sister, who later becomes the Wicked Witch of the East.

The Two-Part Film Release Schedule

The decision to split the musical into two films was made to preserve the complexity of the story, the extensive musical numbers, and the depth of the characters, rather than cutting significant plot points.

• *Wicked: Part One* (2024): This film, which focuses on Elphaba and Glinda's meeting at Shiz University and their early friendship, is scheduled for release on November 27, 2024.
• *Wicked: For Good* (2025): The second part, which will feature Bethany Weaver's appearance as Dorothy Gale and conclude the story of Elphaba's transformation, is slated for release on November 26, 2025.

The Role of Dorothy Gale in the Wicked Narrative

While Dorothy is the main character of *The Wizard of Oz*, her role in *Wicked* is purely as the catalyst for the events that cement Elphaba's fate. Her arrival in Oz, famously via a house dropped by a tornado, is what kills Nessarose (the Wicked Witch of the East) and sets Elphaba on her final, tragic path.

In the *Wicked* story, Dorothy represents the "other"—a figure from an outside world (Kansas) who is unwittingly responsible for the downfall of the Witches of Oz. She is the one who inherits the infamous Ruby Slippers (or Silver Shoes in the original novel), which belong to the deceased Wicked Witch of the East, further fueling Elphaba's rage and sense of injustice.

The deliberate use of Bethany Weaver as an intentionally faceless figure for Dorothy Gale is a genius move that maintains the reverence for the original Oz story while firmly establishing the *Wicked* film as its own unique and necessary prequel. It is a powerful cinematic statement that Dorothy is merely a plot device—a force of nature—in the lives of the two women who truly rule the Land of Oz, both good and wicked. The mystery has been solved, but the deeper meaning behind the casting choice is what truly makes the *Wicked* film adaptation an eagerly awaited spectacle.