The Color Purple 2023 Cast: Full List Of Stars And Their Oscar-Nominated Performances

The 2023 musical film adaptation of The Color Purple has captivated audiences and critics alike, delivering a fresh, vibrant, and emotionally resonant cinematic experience. As of late 2024, this latest version of the classic Alice Walker novel is celebrated not just for its bold direction by Blitz Bazawule and the musical numbers, but for its powerhouse ensemble cast that brings the beloved characters to life for a new generation. This film is a continuation of a powerful legacy, which includes the original 1985 Steven Spielberg film and the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical.

The stellar lineup features a mix of seasoned Hollywood veterans, Grammy-winning musicians, and Broadway alumni, many of whom are reprising roles they first played on stage. The film’s success is deeply rooted in the chemistry and profound performances of its leads, earning it major award nominations, including an Academy Award nod for one of its stars. This is your complete, up-to-date guide to the full cast, their roles, and their impressive careers.

Meet the Main Cast: Full Biography and Character Profiles

The core of the 2023 film is the triumphant return of two Broadway veterans and the powerful dramatic performances from established Hollywood stars. Their collective talent anchors the emotional journey of Celie, Shug, and Sofia.

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Fantasia Barrino as Celie Harris-Johnson

• Role: Celie Harris-Johnson (Adult Celie)
• Biography & Career Highlights: Fantasia Barrino-Taylor, known mononymously as Fantasia, first rose to prominence as the winner of the third season of American Idol in 2004. Her powerful, soulful voice translated perfectly to the stage, where she made her Broadway debut as Celie in the original 2007 production of The Color Purple. The 2023 film marks her feature film debut, a full-circle moment that was highly anticipated by fans of the musical. Her portrayal of the resilient Celie, spanning decades of struggle and eventual triumph, is considered the heart of the film.

Taraji P. Henson as Shug Avery

• Role: Shug Avery
• Biography & Career Highlights: A highly decorated actress, Taraji P. Henson brings her signature charisma and dramatic depth to the role of Shug Avery, the glamorous, free-spirited blues singer who becomes Celie’s confidante and love interest. Henson is an Academy Award nominee (for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button) and a Golden Globe winner (for her iconic role as Cookie Lyon in the series Empire). Her filmography is extensive, including major roles in Hidden Figures and Hustle & Flow, making her casting a major draw for the musical adaptation.

Danielle Brooks as Sofia

• Role: Sofia
• Biography & Career Highlights: Danielle Brooks’ performance as the fiercely independent Sofia is arguably the most lauded of the film, earning her nominations for a Golden Globe, a BAFTA, and an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Brooks is a true EGOT nominee, having also received Emmy, Grammy, and Tony Award nominations. She first gained widespread fame for her role as Tasha "Taystee" Jefferson in the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Like Fantasia, she previously played Sofia on Broadway in the 2015 revival of The Color Purple, earning a Tony nomination for the role.

Colman Domingo as Albert "Mister" Johnson

• Role: Albert "Mister" Johnson
• Biography & Career Highlights: Colman Domingo is a celebrated stage and screen actor known for his versatile and powerful performances. He is an Emmy Award winner for his role in the series Euphoria. His portrayal of the abusive and complex Mister in The Color Purple is a masterclass in dramatic villainy. Domingo had a monumental year with simultaneous Oscar nominations for his work in both The Color Purple and for his leading role as civil rights activist Bayard Rustin in the biopic Rustin (2023).

The Supporting Cast: Rising Stars and Musical Icons

The depth of the ensemble cast is a testament to the film's commitment to high-caliber talent across all roles. The supporting actors fill out the world of the film, providing crucial emotional and musical moments.

Corey Hawkins as Harpo

Corey Hawkins plays Harpo, Mister's son and Sofia's husband. Hawkins is known for his roles in Straight Outta Compton (playing Dr. Dre) and the Broadway revival of Six Degrees of Separation. His portrayal of Harpo captures the character's internal struggle between his father's expectations and his love for Sofia.

H.E.R. as Squeak

Grammy and Academy Award-winning singer-songwriter H.E.R. (Gabriella Wilson) makes her feature film acting debut as Squeak, a woman who later becomes Harpo's girlfriend. Her musical background adds a unique texture to the film's soundtrack and performances.

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The Young Leads: Phylicia Pearl Mpasi and Halle Bailey

The film’s emotional foundation is built by the younger cast members. Phylicia Pearl Mpasi plays young Celie, delivering a heartbreaking performance that sets the stage for Fantasia's adult Celie. Halle Bailey, globally recognized for playing Ariel in The Little Mermaid (2023), plays young Nettie, Celie's beloved sister, whose separation drives Celie's motivation.

Jon Batiste as Grady

Multiple Grammy Award winner and Oscar-winning musician Jon Batiste plays Grady, Shug Avery's piano-playing husband. His inclusion adds another layer of musical authenticity and star power to the ensemble.

The Visionaries: Creative Team and High-Profile Producers

The 2023 version of The Color Purple is a unique project, being an adaptation of the musical stage play, rather than a direct remake of the 1985 film. This creative decision was spearheaded by an impressive team of producers and creatives, ensuring the film maintained its powerful message while embracing a new, musical identity.

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A Trio of Legendary Producers

The film boasts a legendary producing team, connecting it directly to the source material’s history:

• Oprah Winfrey: She starred as Sofia in the 1985 film, earning an Academy Award nomination. As a producer, she ensures the integrity and emotional core of the story remains intact.
• Steven Spielberg: He directed the original 1985 film adaptation. His involvement as a producer brings a deep understanding of the source material's cinematic potential.
• Quincy Jones: The iconic musician and producer was also a producer on the 1985 film, and his continued involvement underscores the importance of the music in this latest musical version.
• Scott Sanders: A key figure in bringing the story to Broadway, Sanders serves as a producer, bridging the gap between the stage and screen versions.

Director Blitz Bazawule and Screenwriter Marcus Gardley

The film's distinct visual style and narrative pacing are the work of director Blitz Bazawule, a Ghanaian filmmaker known for his work on Beyoncé’s visual album Black Is King. His vision brought a vibrant, almost fantastical element to Celie's interior world, utilizing music to express the characters' hidden emotions. The screenplay was penned by Marcus Gardley, who adapted the book and the stage play, navigating the complex task of transitioning a beloved stage musical into a feature film.

Topical Authority: LSI and Key Entities of The Color Purple

To fully appreciate the 2023 film, it is essential to understand the rich history and key entities that define The Color Purple universe. The film is the third major adaptation of the story, each iteration building upon the foundation laid by the original work.

The Source Material and Its Legacy

The entire narrative stems from Alice Walker's 1982 epistolary novel, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction. The novel tells the story primarily through letters written by Celie to God and to her sister, Nettie. The 1985 film adaptation was a critical success, earning 11 Academy Award nominations and launching the careers of Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey. The subsequent Broadway musical, which premiered in 2005 and was revived in 2015, transformed the dramatic narrative into a powerful musical period drama, using gospel, blues, and jazz to elevate the emotional narrative.

The 2023 musical film uniquely blends the grounded drama of the novel and the 1985 film with the soaring musicality and vibrant choreography of the stage production. The film’s success demonstrates the story’s enduring power and its continued relevance in exploring themes of sisterhood, resilience, Black female empowerment, and the journey to self-discovery. With a cast that is now earning major accolades, including Danielle Brooks' Oscar nomination, the 2023 version has firmly secured its own place in the legacy of The Color Purple. The soundtrack, featuring the incredible vocal talents of the cast, has also become a major entity in its own right, ensuring the film's music will be enjoyed for years to come.