More than three decades after Ariel first sang her way into Disney history, The Little Mermaid returned in 2023 as a live-action event shaped by nostalgia, modern sensibilities, and a new generation of talent. Directed by Rob Marshall, the film doesn’t simply recreate the animated classic shot for shot; it expands its world, deepens its characters, and leans into a more emotionally grounded take on Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale. For longtime fans and curious newcomers alike, the result is a familiar story told with fresh texture and contemporary resonance.
At the center of that reimagining is Halle Bailey’s Ariel, a casting choice that signaled Disney’s commitment to vocal authenticity and emotional sincerity above all else. Around her, the supporting cast blends respected screen veterans with scene-stealing newcomers, from a reinterpreted King Triton to a flamboyant, Broadway-inflected Ursula. Several characters receive expanded motivations or subtle personality shifts, reflecting how modern Disney remakes aim to add dimension rather than simply update visuals.
This guide breaks down each major character in The Little Mermaid (2023), detailing who plays them, how their live-action portrayals compare to the animated versions, and why these casting choices matter. Whether you’re revisiting the film after streaming it at home or diving in for the first time, understanding the cast adds a richer layer to how this beloved undersea world was brought back to life.
Ariel Reborn: Halle Bailey’s Groundbreaking Take on Disney’s Iconic Mermaid
Few casting announcements in recent Disney history sparked as much conversation as Halle Bailey stepping into the role of Ariel. From the moment her casting was revealed, it was clear that The Little Mermaid (2023) was aiming to redefine its heroine for a new era rather than simply replicate the animated original. Bailey’s performance ultimately anchors the entire film, blending reverence for a beloved character with a distinctly modern emotional core.
Casting a New Generation’s Ariel
Best known as one half of the Grammy-nominated R&B duo Chloe x Halle, Bailey was cast primarily for her extraordinary voice, a quality director Rob Marshall has repeatedly emphasized as essential to Ariel’s identity. Like Jodi Benson before her, Bailey’s Ariel is first and foremost a singer, but one whose vocal style feels rooted in contemporary soul and pop rather than classic Broadway. The result is a voice that feels intimate, expressive, and emotionally immediate.
Beyond vocal ability, Bailey brings a youthful curiosity and vulnerability that reframes Ariel less as a rebellious teen and more as a thoughtful explorer. Her performance emphasizes wonder over defiance, grounding Ariel’s longing for the human world in a sense of intellectual hunger and emotional restlessness.
Ariel Without a Voice, Performance Through Presence
One of the film’s biggest challenges is sustaining Ariel’s character during the long stretch when she cannot speak. Bailey rises to that challenge through physicality and expressive nuance, relying on facial reactions, body language, and quiet humor to keep Ariel fully present in the story. Her wide-eyed engagement with human life gives those sequences a playful charm while reinforcing the character’s outsider perspective.
This emphasis on nonverbal storytelling distinguishes the live-action Ariel from her animated counterpart, who relied heavily on exaggerated expressions. Bailey’s performance is subtler, allowing small moments, like tentative smiles or flashes of uncertainty, to carry emotional weight.
A Voice That Redefines a Disney Classic
Bailey’s rendition of “Part of Your World” stands as the defining moment of her performance. Slower and more introspective than the animated version, the song becomes a quiet confession rather than a theatrical declaration. It reframes Ariel’s longing as deeply personal, setting the tone for a film more focused on emotional realism than spectacle alone.
New musical additions, including “For the First Time,” further expand Ariel’s inner life, showing her wonder and overwhelm as she navigates the human world. These songs aren’t just musical updates; they function as character development, giving Ariel a stronger narrative voice even when she is literally without one.
Why This Ariel Matters
Bailey’s Ariel represents a shift in how Disney approaches its most iconic heroines. She is still romantic and idealistic, but also observant, emotionally intelligent, and quietly determined. Rather than chasing love alone, this Ariel is driven by a desire to understand a world beyond her own.
In doing so, The Little Mermaid (2023) positions Ariel not just as a nostalgic figure reborn, but as a character capable of carrying Disney’s legacy forward. Bailey’s performance doesn’t replace the animated Ariel; it expands what the character can mean for audiences discovering her for the first time.
Prince Eric Expanded: Jonah Hauer-King and the Film’s Deeper, More Active Love Interest
Following a more introspective take on Ariel, The Little Mermaid (2023) similarly reimagines Prince Eric as a fuller, more proactive character. No longer just the charming object of Ariel’s affection, Eric is positioned as a parallel protagonist, one whose emotional journey mirrors hers in meaningful ways. This shift transforms the romance into a mutual meeting of two restless spirits rather than a one-sided fairy-tale pursuit.
Jonah Hauer-King steps into the role with a grounded, modern energy that aligns with the film’s emphasis on emotional realism. His Eric is thoughtful, curious, and quietly burdened by expectations, making him feel less like a storybook ideal and more like a young man searching for purpose.
A Prince With Agency and Inner Conflict
One of the most notable departures from the animated film is how actively involved Eric is in the story’s conflicts. The live-action version gives him a clearer sense of identity as a sailor, explorer, and reluctant royal, someone who feels constrained by palace life and drawn to the unknown. That restlessness directly mirrors Ariel’s longing for another world, creating a stronger thematic bond between them.
Eric’s relationship with Queen Selina, his adoptive mother, further deepens his characterization. Their dynamic introduces ideas of legacy, duty, and chosen family, adding emotional stakes that were largely absent from the 1989 original. These elements help explain Eric’s attraction to Ariel beyond surface-level romance, grounding their connection in shared emotional needs.
“Wild Uncharted Waters” and a New Musical Identity
Eric’s expanded role includes a major musical moment, “Wild Uncharted Waters,” which serves as his emotional centerpiece. Performed by Hauer-King himself, the song articulates Eric’s yearning for freedom and meaning, effectively giving him the kind of inner monologue traditionally reserved for Disney heroines. It reframes him as a dreamer in his own right, not just the endpoint of Ariel’s journey.
Musically, the addition balances the film’s romantic dynamic, allowing Eric to express vulnerability and ambition through song. This choice reinforces the film’s broader goal of creating a more equal partnership between its leads, both narratively and emotionally.
Jonah Hauer-King Beyond the Kingdom
Before stepping into Disney royalty, Jonah Hauer-King built a diverse résumé across film and television. He appeared in the BBC’s 2017 adaptation of Little Women as Laurie, a role that showcased his ability to blend charm with emotional complexity. He also starred in the World War II drama World on Fire, further establishing his range in character-driven storytelling.
Those experiences translate effectively to The Little Mermaid, where Eric requires more than a romantic smile and heroic posture. Hauer-King’s performance leans on subtle reactions and restrained emotion, aligning seamlessly with the film’s more naturalistic tone and helping redefine Prince Eric for a new generation.
Ursula Unleashed: Melissa McCarthy’s Villainous Reinvention and Homage to the Animated Original
As Ariel and Eric’s parallel longings draw them closer together, the film pivots toward its most operatic force of chaos: Ursula. In the live-action reimagining, the sea witch remains the story’s gravitational villain, but she arrives with a new texture that blends theatrical menace, emotional calculation, and reverence for one of Disney’s most iconic antagonists. Melissa McCarthy steps into the role with an understanding that Ursula is not just a threat, but a performer.
A Performance Rooted in Camp and Control
McCarthy’s Ursula leans into the character’s camp origins without reducing her to parody. Her delivery is playful yet precise, capturing Ursula’s delight in manipulation while maintaining a constant sense of danger beneath the humor. This balance mirrors the animated version’s tonal tightrope, where charisma is inseparable from cruelty.
Visually and emotionally, McCarthy’s performance is grounded in restraint as much as excess. She allows pauses, glances, and shifts in posture to do as much work as grand gestures, giving Ursula an intelligence that feels predatory rather than purely theatrical. It’s a choice that aligns with the film’s more grounded fantasy aesthetic while preserving the villain’s larger-than-life presence.
“Poor Unfortunate Souls” and a Legacy to Honor
“Poor Unfortunate Souls” remains Ursula’s defining moment, and McCarthy approaches the number with clear respect for the late Pat Carroll’s legendary performance. Rather than imitate Carroll’s voice or cadence, she channels the spirit of the song through timing, physicality, and a knowing sense of mischief. The result is a rendition that feels familiar yet distinctly her own.
The staging emphasizes Ursula’s role as a master manipulator, framing the song as a calculated seduction rather than a mere showstopper. McCarthy’s background in comedy proves essential here, as she understands how to use rhythm and timing to lure both Ariel and the audience into a false sense of security.
Melissa McCarthy Beyond the Tentacles
While McCarthy is best known for comedic leads in films like Bridesmaids, Spy, and Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Ursula allows her to fuse comedy with dramatic authority. The role taps into her ability to dominate a scene without rushing it, reminding audiences of her range beyond broad humor. That versatility makes her an inspired choice for a villain who thrives on contradiction.
In the context of The Little Mermaid, McCarthy’s Ursula feels less like a cartoon come to life and more like a mythic figure reshaped for a modern audience. She honors the animated original’s legacy while reinforcing the live-action film’s commitment to character-driven storytelling, ensuring Ursula remains as unforgettable and dangerous as ever.
King Triton and the Royal Court: Javier Bardem and the Reframing of Ariel’s Family Dynamics
Javier Bardem’s King Triton represents one of the live-action remake’s most significant tonal shifts, reframing Ariel’s home life as a place shaped by grief rather than simple authoritarian control. Where the animated Triton was defined largely by bluster and temper, Bardem’s performance leans inward, presenting a father whose severity is rooted in fear of loss. This emotional recalibration grounds Ariel’s rebellion in family trauma instead of teenage impulsiveness.
Bardem, an Academy Award winner known for formidable screen presences in No Country for Old Men, Skyfall, and Being the Ricardos, brings unexpected softness to the role. His Triton is physically imposing but emotionally guarded, a ruler whose silence often speaks louder than his anger. The performance trades cartoonish fury for weary restraint, aligning with the film’s more dramatic, character-first approach.
A Father Defined by Loss
One of the live-action film’s most notable departures from the animated classic is the explicit absence of Ariel’s mother, whose death hangs heavily over the royal household. This loss reframes Triton’s distrust of humans as protective instinct rather than prejudice, giving his clashes with Ariel a tragic undercurrent. Bardem plays these moments with controlled sorrow, allowing the audience to understand Triton’s fear even when they disagree with his choices.
This added emotional context also reshapes the iconic conflict between father and daughter. Ariel’s longing for the surface world becomes not just curiosity, but a challenge to Triton’s attempt to preserve what remains of his family. Their confrontations feel less explosive and more heartbreaking, emphasizing emotional distance over volume.
The Seven Daughters and a Global Kingdom
The royal court itself undergoes a meaningful evolution through the casting of Ariel’s six sisters, portrayed by actors of diverse cultural backgrounds. Each daughter represents a different oceanic region, subtly transforming Triton’s kingdom into a global realm rather than a single mythic space. This choice expands the film’s world-building while reinforcing Triton’s role as a ruler with responsibilities far beyond his immediate family.
Unlike the animated version, where Ariel’s sisters function primarily as comic background figures, the live-action film gives them clearer identities and emotional awareness. Their concern for Ariel and visible loyalty to Triton help flesh out the family dynamic, making the underwater court feel like a living political and emotional ecosystem.
Reimagining a Disney Icon
In the 1989 animated film, King Triton’s defining arc was learning to temper his rage with compassion. The 2023 adaptation preserves that journey but approaches it with greater psychological realism. Bardem’s Triton does not need to learn empathy so much as relearn vulnerability, allowing himself to trust Ariel’s independence rather than fear it.
The result is a portrayal that feels less like a mythic obstacle and more like a fully realized parent struggling with change. By grounding King Triton in grief, responsibility, and restrained love, the film reframes Ariel’s family dynamics as a central emotional engine, enriching the story’s core conflict without sacrificing its fairy-tale scale.
Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle: How the Beloved Sidekicks Were Recast, Redesigned, and Reinterpreted
While Ariel and Triton anchor the film’s emotional weight, The Little Mermaid (2023) lives and breathes through its trio of iconic sidekicks. Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle serve as comic relief, emotional support, and narrative guides, but their transition to live action required some of the most dramatic creative rethinking in the entire remake. Balancing nostalgia with realism, the film recasts and redesigns these characters to fit a photoreal underwater world without losing their charm.
Sebastian: A Musical Conscience with Broadway Energy
Sebastian is voiced by Daveed Diggs, bringing a distinctly modern cadence to the fast-talking Caribbean crab. Best known for originating the roles of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in Hamilton, Diggs infuses Sebastian with theatrical precision, rhythmic wit, and musical authority. His performance leans less toward exaggerated cartoon panic and more toward tightly wound anxiety, fitting the film’s grounded tone.
Visually, Sebastian undergoes one of the biggest transformations. No longer a brightly colored, wide-eyed cartoon, he appears as a more realistic crab, which subtly shifts how his humor lands. Diggs compensates by emphasizing vocal expression and timing, ensuring that classics like “Under the Sea” remain energetic centerpieces despite the toned-down design.
Flounder: Childhood Loyalty Reimagined
Flounder is voiced by Jacob Tremblay, whose performances in Room, Wonder, and Luca have made him one of Hollywood’s most recognizable young voices. In the live-action adaptation, Flounder feels younger and more vulnerable than his animated counterpart, emphasizing innocence over slapstick. His bond with Ariel plays less like comic banter and more like genuine childhood friendship.
The character’s redesign sparked early debate among fans, as Flounder trades his bright yellow-and-blue stripes for a more realistic aquatic appearance. While the expressiveness is more restrained, Tremblay’s earnest delivery helps preserve Flounder’s emotional role as Ariel’s first and most loyal confidant. The shift aligns him more closely with the film’s softer, more introspective tone.
Scuttle: From Silent Gag to Verbal Chaos
Scuttle receives the most radical reinterpretation, voiced by Awkwafina. Known for her roles in Crazy Rich Asians, The Farewell, and Raya and the Last Dragon, Awkwafina transforms Scuttle from a mostly silent physical-comedy character into a nonstop source of verbal humor. Her rapid-fire delivery and improvisational energy give the seagull a distinctly contemporary edge.
This version of Scuttle leans into absurd misinformation, expanding the “human artifact expert” joke into extended comedic sequences. The character also gets a musical upgrade with “The Scuttlebutt,” a new rap-inspired number that sharply divides audiences but undeniably modernizes the sidekick lineup. It’s a bold swing that reflects Disney’s willingness to retool even its most familiar characters for a new generation.
Sidekicks in a More Grounded Fairy Tale
Across all three characters, the guiding philosophy is consistency with the film’s semi-realistic world. Their designs are intentionally less expressive than their animated predecessors, placing greater responsibility on voice performances to sell emotion and humor. This shift occasionally softens their comedic impact but strengthens their integration into the story’s emotional framework.
Rather than dominating scenes with cartoon antics, Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle function as extensions of Ariel’s internal conflict. They worry, warn, and encourage, mirroring the push and pull between safety and freedom that defines her journey. In doing so, the live-action remake reframes the sidekicks not just as comic relief, but as emotional anchors in a reimagined Disney classic.
Humans of the Surface World: Queen Selina, Grimsby, and the New Faces Added to Eric’s World
As the story rises above the waves, The Little Mermaid (2023) takes a noticeably different approach to its human characters. Eric’s world is no longer a lightly sketched fairy-tale kingdom but a lived-in coastal society with its own politics, history, and emotional stakes. These additions help ground Ariel’s fascination with humanity in something more tangible and contemporary.
Queen Selina: A New Monarch with Modern Resonance
One of the film’s most significant departures from the animated original is Queen Selina, played by Noma Dumezweni. A brand-new character created for the live-action remake, Selina replaces the largely absent royal parents from the 1989 film and becomes a central emotional force in Prince Eric’s life. She is a ruler shaped by loss, cautious about the sea, and deeply protective of her son.
Dumezweni, known for roles in The Undoing, Presumed Innocent, and her Olivier-winning turn in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, brings a quiet authority and emotional depth to the role. Her performance gives Queen Selina a layered presence, balancing political responsibility with maternal vulnerability. In doing so, the film mirrors Triton’s overprotectiveness on land, creating a parallel between Ariel and Eric’s family conflicts.
Grimsby: From Comic Butler to Trusted Guardian
Grimsby, portrayed by Art Malik, also receives a subtle but meaningful upgrade. In the animated film, Grimsby functioned largely as comic relief, a flustered advisor preoccupied with finding Eric a bride. The live-action version reframes him as a steady mentor and surrogate father figure, deeply invested in Eric’s future and well-being.
Malik, whose career spans projects like Homeland, True Lies, and The Jewel in the Crown, lends Grimsby warmth and gravitas. His scenes with Jonah Hauer-King’s Eric emphasize guidance rather than obligation, positioning Grimsby as someone who understands the weight of leadership. The shift helps align Eric’s arc with the film’s broader themes of self-discovery and responsibility.
Expanding Eric’s World Beyond the Palace
Beyond individual characters, the film broadens Eric’s environment through sailors, townspeople, and a more culturally textured island kingdom. These additions reinforce Eric’s identity as an explorer and navigator, not just a fairy-tale prince waiting for romance. His curiosity about the sea feels earned, rooted in a world that values discovery and connection.
By giving Eric a stronger social and emotional context, the remake elevates the human side of the story to match the complexity of Ariel’s underwater world. The surface characters no longer exist simply as obstacles or goals, but as reflections of the same fears, hopes, and generational tensions that define life beneath the ocean.
What Changed from 1989 to 2023: Casting Choices, Character Updates, and Modern Storytelling Goals
The 2023 version of The Little Mermaid sets out to honor the spirit of the animated classic while recalibrating its characters for a contemporary audience. Rather than reinventing the story wholesale, director Rob Marshall and his creative team focused on intentional updates in casting, character motivation, and thematic emphasis. The result is a film that feels familiar in structure but more expansive in perspective.
Ariel Reimagined: Representation and Emotional Grounding
The most visible and talked-about change is the casting of Halle Bailey as Ariel. In the 1989 film, Ariel’s defining traits were curiosity and romantic yearning, expressed largely through song. The live-action version retains that sense of wonder but grounds it in a more introspective emotional arc, shaped by Ariel’s desire to understand the human world rather than simply escape her own.
Bailey’s performance, informed by her background as a Grammy-nominated singer and half of the duo Chloe x Halle, brings a contemporary vulnerability to the character. Her Ariel is quieter, more observant, and emotionally restrained in key moments, allowing the story to explore identity and belonging alongside romance. This shift reframes Ariel’s journey as one of self-definition, not just rebellion.
Eric as an Equal Protagonist, Not a Passive Ideal
In contrast to the animated film, where Prince Eric functioned largely as an object of Ariel’s affection, the 2023 adaptation positions him as a co-lead with his own internal conflict. Jonah Hauer-King’s Eric is defined by restlessness, intellectual curiosity, and a longing to chart his own path beyond royal expectations.
This update aligns Eric more closely with Ariel thematically, making their connection feel rooted in shared values rather than fate alone. Their bond is built through conversation, mutual curiosity, and parallel struggles with parental pressure. The romance becomes less about rescue and more about recognition.
Ursula and Triton: Moral Complexity Over Clear-Cut Villainy
Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula retains the flamboyance and menace of her animated counterpart but gains a clearer emotional motivation. The live-action script leans into her history with King Triton, framing her bitterness as the result of exile and perceived injustice rather than pure malice. This added context doesn’t excuse her actions, but it gives them narrative weight.
Similarly, Triton’s overprotectiveness is portrayed with greater nuance. His fear of the human world stems from loss and trauma, making his control over Ariel feel rooted in anxiety rather than authoritarianism. These adjustments reflect a broader storytelling trend toward morally complex authority figures rather than simple obstacles.
A More Inclusive and Textured World
The casting of the film embraces a deliberately multicultural vision, both above and below the sea. Eric’s island kingdom draws inspiration from Caribbean and Mediterranean influences, while the underwater world features mermaids of varied backgrounds and appearances. This approach reframes the story as a global fairy tale rather than a Eurocentric fantasy.
These choices are not foregrounded through exposition but embedded naturally into the film’s design and casting. The effect is a world that feels lived-in and expansive, reinforcing the idea that Ariel’s curiosity extends beyond romance to culture, history, and human connection.
Modernizing the Message Without Erasing the Magic
Perhaps the most significant change lies in the film’s thematic priorities. The 1989 version emphasized sacrifice in the name of love, while the 2023 adaptation shifts toward agency and voice, both literal and metaphorical. Ariel’s choices are framed as deliberate and informed, even when they carry consequences.
By updating character motivations and relationships, the live-action film aims to resonate with modern audiences without discarding the musical romance that made the original endure. It reflects Disney’s broader live-action strategy: preserving iconic moments while adjusting the emotional logic behind them to reflect evolving cultural values.
Where You’ve Seen the Cast Before: Breakout Roles, Disney First-Timers, and Career-Defining Performances
One of the most fascinating aspects of The Little Mermaid (2023) is how it blends rising stars, established character actors, and unexpected casting choices. For some performers, the film represents a major career milestone; for others, it’s a surprising pivot within already accomplished résumés.
Halle Bailey as Ariel
Before becoming Ariel, Halle Bailey was best known as half of the Grammy-nominated R&B duo Chloe x Halle, mentored by Beyoncé. The sisters gained mainstream attention through albums like Ungodly Hour and their television work on Grown-ish, where Halle showcased a quieter on-screen presence.
The Little Mermaid marks Bailey’s first leading film role and her first major acting performance anchored by solo vocal storytelling. For many viewers, Ariel becomes her defining breakout, positioning her as both a Disney princess and a serious musical-film talent.
Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric
Jonah Hauer-King entered the film with a résumé rooted in period dramas and prestige television. He appeared in the BBC adaptation of Little Women and starred in World on Fire, bringing a reserved, introspective energy to his roles.
As Eric, Hauer-King expands the character beyond the traditional romantic lead, leaning into vulnerability and ambition. The role introduces him to a global family audience and significantly raises his mainstream profile.
Melissa McCarthy as Ursula
Melissa McCarthy’s career spans broad comedy and dramatic turns, from Bridesmaids and Spy to Can You Ever Forgive Me?, which earned her an Academy Award nomination. She is known for combining physical comedy with emotional grounding.
Her take on Ursula draws from this versatility, blending theatrical menace with humor rather than imitating the animated performance outright. For Disney audiences, it’s one of McCarthy’s most transformative roles to date.
Javier Bardem as King Triton
An Oscar winner for No Country for Old Men, Javier Bardem brings gravitas rarely seen in Disney’s live-action parents. His filmography includes Skyfall, Being the Ricardos, and Dune, often portraying figures defined by authority and inner conflict.
As Triton, Bardem channels that intensity into a more restrained, emotionally driven performance. His presence reinforces the film’s effort to ground its fantasy in genuine parental fear and regret.
Awkwafina as Scuttle
Awkwafina rose to fame through comedy and viral music before transitioning into acting with Crazy Rich Asians and The Farewell. Her voice work in Raya and the Last Dragon established her as a reliable presence in animated storytelling.
Reimagined as a gannet rather than a seagull, Scuttle becomes a rapid-fire comic narrator shaped around Awkwafina’s improvisational rhythm. The role leans into her strengths while modernizing the character’s tone.
Daveed Diggs as Sebastian
Daveed Diggs is best known for originating dual roles in Broadway’s Hamilton, as well as for his work on Snowpiercer and Blindspotting. His career bridges music, theater, and socially grounded storytelling.
As Sebastian, Diggs retains the character’s musical authority while adding a sharper comedic cadence. His performance updates the iconic crab without losing the warmth that made him a fan favorite.
Jacob Tremblay and Noma Dumezweni as Flounder and Queen Selina
Jacob Tremblay, who broke out as a child actor in Room and later appeared in Wonder and Luca, voices Flounder with youthful sincerity. His performance emphasizes Flounder’s loyalty and nervous charm rather than overt cartoon exaggeration.
Noma Dumezweni, known for stage work and screen roles in The Undoing and The Watcher, plays Eric’s mother, Queen Selina. Her casting adds dramatic weight and cultural specificity to a character who did not exist in the animated film.
A Cast That Reflects Disney’s Evolving Strategy
Together, the ensemble reflects Disney’s current casting philosophy: pairing emerging talent with seasoned performers who bring emotional credibility. Rather than relying solely on star power, the film prioritizes tonal balance and character-first performances.
For audiences, this mix creates familiarity without predictability. Whether encountering these actors for the first time or seeing them in a new light, The Little Mermaid’s cast plays a crucial role in transforming a beloved animated classic into a distinctly modern reimagining.