Netflix’s 2024 biopicMariafeatures a strong cast led by Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie.Jolie, best known for her roles in filmssuch asMaleficent,Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, andGirl, Interrupted,returns in her first feature film since Marvel’s 2021 action blockbusterEternals. Jolie has also directed several films, such asFirst They Killed My Fathers(2017) andUnbroken(2014). Jolie took a break from acting from 2021’sEternalsuntil 2024’sMariato focus on spending more time with her six kids, Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne.
Maria depicts thefinal days in the life of Maria Callas,who was once considered the greatest opera singer in the world. The film takes place in 1970s Paris as Maria’s health declines. Maria sees the world through a near-hallucinogenic and fading lens with her butler, Ferruccio, and her maid, Bruna, who care deeply for her.Mariais directed by Chilean director Pablo Larraín ofSpencer(2021) andJackie(2016) acclaim. The original screenplay is written by Steven Knight, best known for creating the Cillian Murphy-led Netflix seriesPeaky Blinders.Mariawas released in select theaters afterpremiering at the 81st Venice Film Festivalin August 2024.
Mariais now streaming exclusively on Netflix.
Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas
Actor: Jolie, 49, is an Academy Award-winning actress. She is best known for her roles in feature films such asMaleficent,Lara Croft: Tomb Raider,Girl, Interrupted,Changeling,Mr. & Mrs. Smith,Salt, andWanted. She made herfeature film debut in 1982’sLookin' to Get Outstarring Jon Voight, who is her father. After winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for the 1999 dramaGirl, Interrupted, she went on to star in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in 2001. She has also been a voice actor in animated films such asShark TaleandKung Fu Panda. She has also directed several feature films, including the Oscar-nominatedUnbrokenin 2013. She is set to star in the upcoming filmsStitches,Maude v Maude, andMaleficient 3.
Lara Croft: Tomb Raider
Lara Croft
Character: Angelina Jolie plays the titular protagonist Maria Callas, who was once considered the greatest opera singer in the world, during the final days of her life in 1970s Paris.
Kodi Smit-McPhee as Mandrax
Actor: Kodi Smit-McPhee, 28, is an Academy Award-nominated actor from Australia. He made his feature film debut in the 2006 dramaStrandedbeforerising to prominence in the 2009 dystopian filmThe Roadalongside Viggo Mortensenin an adaptation of the acclaimed Cormac McCarthy novel. Smit-McPhee went on to appear in the critically acclaimed 2014 action filmDawn of the Planet of the Apesand also was inX-Men: Apocalypse(2016) andX-Men: Dark Phoenix(2019) as Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler. He earned an Oscar nomination for his supporting role as Peter Gordon inThe Power of the Dog, which was nominated for 12 Academy Awards and won Best Director for Jane Campion. Smit-McPhee was also inElvisand the recent Apple murder mystery seriesDisclaimer.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Character: Kodi Smit-McPhee plays Mandrax inMaria.
Pierfrancesco Favino as Ferruccio
Actor: Pierfrancesco Favino, 55, is an Italian actor and film producer. He is best known for appearing in major American movies such asWorld War Z(2013) andRush(2013). After appearing in several TV movies during the 1990s, Favino rose to prominence after appearing as Christopher Columbus in 2006’sNight at the Museumstarring Ben Stiller. He went on to appear inThe Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian(2008) andAngels & Demons(2009) before landing a recurring role as Niccolo Polo in the Netflix seriesMarco Polo. He has starred in several recent movies such asNaples to New York,Adagio, andThe Count of Monte-Cristo.
Night at the Museum
Character: Favino plays Maria’s loyal butler Ferruccio inMaria.
Alba Rohrwacher as Bruna
Actor: Alba Rohrwacher, 45, is an Italian actress from Florence. She is best known for her roles inHungry Hearts(2014),The Wonders(2014), andSworn Virgin(2015). She recently starred as the Narrator in the Max seriesMy Brilliant Friend(2018-2024). After appearing in several Italian films and television productions during the 2000s, she rose to prominence as Elisabetta Recchi in Luca Guadagnino’s romantic dramaI Am Love(2009) starring Tilda Swinton. She is set to appear in the upcoming untitled Noah Baumbach film alongside Adam Sandler, George Clooney, Laura Dern, and Riley Keough.
Character: Alba Rohrwacher plays Bruna, Maria’s maid, inMaria.
Maria’s Supporting Cast & Characters
Haluk Bilginer as Aristotle Onassis: Bilginer is best known forHalloweenandThe Veil.
Stephen Ashfield as Jeffrey Tate: Ashfield is best known forSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetandThe Devil’s Hour.
Valeria Golino as Yakinthi Callas: Golino is best known forRain ManandPortrait of a Lady on Fire.
Caspar Phillipson as JFK: Phillipson has played John F. Kennedy in several films such asJackieandMaria.
