The Nonnas Film Cast: Where Are The Italian-American Legends Now? (Updated 2025)

The Netflix film Nonnas has captivated audiences with its heartwarming true story and an incredible ensemble cast of Hollywood legends. Released on May 9, 2025, the movie brings the unique, real-life tale of a Staten Island restaurant staffed by Italian grandmothers—or 'Nonnas'—to the screen, blending comedy, drama, and authentic Italian-American culture.

This article provides the most current, in-depth look at the star-studded cast, the characters they play, and the fascinating true story of the man and the grandmothers who inspired the film. From Vince Vaughn’s central role as the grieving founder to the iconic actresses who embody the spirited Nonnas, the film is a celebration of family, food, and second chances.

The Full Cast and Character Guide: Nonnas Film Biography

Directed by Stephen Chbosky and written by Liz Maccie, Nonnas is a biographical comedy-drama inspired by the life of Jody Scaravella. The film features a powerhouse lineup of actors, many of whom are already beloved for their iconic roles in Italian-American narratives like The Sopranos and Rocky.

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• Vince Vaughn as Joe Scaravella: Vaughn plays the lead, a man who, after losing his mother, risks everything to open an authentic Italian restaurant to honor her memory. His character is directly inspired by the real-life founder, Jody Scaravella.
• Susan Sarandon as Gia: Sarandon plays a stellar baker and hairdresser who was a close friend of Joe’s late mother, Maria. Her character is one of the first Nonnas Joe recruits for his ambitious venture.
• Lorraine Bracco as Roberta: Known for her Emmy-nominated role in The Sopranos, Bracco plays Roberta, an old friend of the family who steps into the kitchen to help Joe’s dream come true.
• Talia Shire as Teresa: Shire, famous for her roles in the Rocky and The Godfather franchises, portrays Teresa, a character described as an ex-nun who brings her unique perspective to the kitchen.
• Brenda Vaccaro as Antonella: The Oscar-nominated actress Brenda Vaccaro plays Antonella, completing the core quartet of grandmothers who become the heart and soul of the restaurant.
• Linda Cardellini as Olivia: Cardellini, known for her versatile roles, rounds out the main cast. While specific character details are less publicized, she adds another layer of talent to the ensemble.
• Director: Stephen Chbosky (Known for The Perks of Being a Wallflower)
• Writer: Liz Maccie

The True Story Behind Nonnas: Enoteca Maria and Jody Scaravella

The emotional core of Nonnas is rooted in a fascinating true story that began in 2007 on Staten Island, New York. The film’s protagonist, Joe Scaravella (Vince Vaughn), is a fictionalized version of a real man named Jody Scaravella.

After losing his mother and grandmother—the two women who taught him everything about Italian cooking and family—Jody Scaravella was inspired to open a restaurant. His goal was to create a space that felt like home, where the authentic, regional cooking of Italian grandmothers could be preserved and shared.

The Revolutionary Concept of Enoteca Maria

The restaurant, named Enoteca Maria after his mother, was revolutionary. Instead of hiring professional chefs, Scaravella sought out actual grandmothers, or Nonnas, to run the kitchen. The concept was simple yet brilliant: each day, a different Nonna would cook her own family's recipes from her specific region of Italy.

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This commitment to authenticity created a unique dining experience, with a rotating menu that offered patrons a genuine taste of Italy's diverse culinary landscape. Over the years, the concept expanded to include grandmothers from other countries, such as Argentina, Poland, and Sri Lanka, turning Enoteca Maria into a true global celebration of matriarchal cooking and tradition.

The film captures the spirit of this venture, highlighting Joe Scaravella’s journey of grief, passion, and the creation of a new, unconventional family in the heart of Staten Island.

Behind-the-Scenes Secrets: The Nonnas’ On-Set Chemistry

The on-screen chemistry between the veteran actresses—Sarandon, Bracco, Shire, and Vaccaro—is one of the film's biggest selling points. Their collective history in Hollywood and their shared Italian-American heritage (or roles in Italian-American narratives) brought a powerful, familial energy to the set.

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Recent interviews with the cast have revealed charming and fresh insights into their time filming, proving that the bond they portray on screen was genuine.

Talia Shire’s Hilarious Culinary Challenge

One of the most unique and recently revealed details about the production involves Talia Shire, who plays the ex-nun Teresa. Her co-stars, Lorraine Bracco and Brenda Vaccaro, shared a humorous anecdote about Shire's personal dietary restrictions that created a funny challenge on a food-centric set.

Despite being surrounded by authentic Italian food and meat-heavy dishes, Talia Shire is a lifelong vegetarian. Bracco and Vaccaro recalled the difficulties Shire had during scenes that required her to interact with and cook meat, a detail that adds a surprising layer to her character's on-screen performance. This behind-the-scenes tidbit highlights the dedication of the cast to their roles, even when their personal lives conflicted with the culinary demands of the film.

The Legacy of the Nonnas Cast

The presence of such legendary figures instantly elevates the film's topical authority. Vince Vaughn, stepping into a more heartfelt, biographical role, showcases a different side of his talent, moving away from his signature comedic style.

Meanwhile, the quartet of Nonnas—Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, and Brenda Vaccaro—represents a significant portion of cinematic history. Bracco’s legacy is forever tied to Dr. Jennifer Melfi in The Sopranos, while Shire is synonymous with Connie Corleone in The Godfather and Adrian Balboa in Rocky. Their collective presence ensures that Nonnas is not just a food movie, but a deep dive into the lives and stories of strong, resilient Italian-American women.

Why Nonnas Resonates with Modern Audiences

The film’s success on Netflix, following its May 2025 release, demonstrates a strong appetite for stories that prioritize community, authenticity, and the preservation of tradition.

The themes explored—grief, honoring one's heritage, and finding a new family—are universally relatable. The film’s focus on the Nonnas themselves, each with a distinct personality (from Sarandon's Gia, the baker, to Shire's Teresa, the ex-nun), gives the narrative a rich, multi-generational texture. Nonnas stands as a powerful reminder that the most profound stories, and the best food, often come from the simplest, most heartfelt places.