Honestly, if you grew up in the early 2000s, you probably have a soft spot for the "First Daughter" subgenre. It was a weirdly specific time in cinema. Two movies with basically the same plot—the President's daughter just wanting to be "normal"—dropped almost back-to-back. But while First Daughter had Katie Holmes, Chasing Liberty had the undeniable chemistry of Mandy Moore and a then-unknown British actor named Matthew Goode.
I recently rewatched it, and yeah, some of the fashion is a total crime. We’re talking tie-dye crop tops and baggy cargo capris that haven't aged well. But the Chasing Liberty movie cast actually featured some heavy hitters who went on to do massive things. It’s kinda wild to see a future Emmy winner and a Marvel villain sharing a moped in Prague.
The Core Players: Mandy Moore and Matthew Goode
At the center of this European escapade is Anna Foster, played by Mandy Moore. Back in 2004, Mandy was firmly in her "transitioning from pop star to serious actress" phase. She had already broken everyone’s hearts in A Walk to Remember, but this was her shot at being a leading rom-com queen. She plays Anna with a mix of genuine teenage frustration and that "only-child-of-the-leader-of-the-free-world" naivety.
Then there’s Matthew Goode as Ben Calder. This was his big Hollywood break. Before he was the suave Henry Talbot in Downton Abbey or the terrifyingly smart Ozymandias in Watchmen, he was just "the guy on the moped." The twist, of course—spoilers for a twenty-year-old movie—is that Ben is actually a Secret Service agent.
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The chemistry works because Goode plays it so straight. He’s charming but clearly burdened by the fact that he’s lying to her every second they're bungee jumping or skinny-dipping in the Vltava River.
The White House Wing: Mark Harmon and Caroline Goodall
You can't have a First Daughter movie without a First Dad. Mark Harmon stepped into the role of President James Foster. This was right around the time he started his legendary run on NCIS as Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Seeing him here as a slightly overprotective, tuxedo-wearing dad is a trip. He brings a certain "gravitas" to the role that makes the father-daughter conflict feel a bit more real than your standard teen flick.
Caroline Goodall played First Lady Michelle Foster. She’s essentially the bridge between the President’s rigid security protocols and Anna’s desire for freedom. Goodall is one of those actresses you’ve seen in everything from Schindler's List to The Princess Diaries (where she played Mia Thermopolis' mom, coincidentally).
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The B-Plot Heroes: Jeremy Piven and Annabella Sciorra
While Anna and Ben are wandering through Venice and Berlin, we spend a lot of time with the agents assigned to track them. Jeremy Piven plays Agent Alan Weiss. This was just before Piven became a household name as Ari Gold on Entourage. He brings that same high-energy, slightly abrasive vibe to Weiss.
He’s paired with Annabella Sciorra, who plays Agent Cynthia Morales. Sciorra is a powerhouse—think The Sopranos or Jungle Fever. Seeing her in a lighthearted rom-com chasing a teenager across Europe is unexpected but weirdly fun. Their bickering-to-romance subplot is honestly one of the better parts of the movie. They have this "work-husband/work-wife" dynamic that feels much more adult than the main storyline.
A Quick Look at the Supporting Cast
- Stark Sands as Grant Hillman: The guy from the disastrous first date. Stark went on to be a huge Broadway star, winning Tonys for Kinky Boots.
- Beatrice Rosen as Gabrielle: Anna’s friend in Prague who helps kick off the whole rebellion.
- Miriam Margolyes as Maria: The legendary actress (Professor Sprout in Harry Potter) makes a memorable appearance during the Italian leg of the trip.
- Martin Hancock as McGruff: The "annoying" backpacker who steals Anna's stuff.
Why the Cast Worked Despite the Cliches
The movie isn't perfect. It's basically a 111-minute tourism ad for Prague and Venice. But the Chasing Liberty movie cast elevated the material. If you had lesser actors, the scene where they jump off a bridge or get stranded in the Austrian countryside would feel totally unbelievable.
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Instead, Mandy Moore’s earnestness makes you actually care that she’s never had a "normal" date. Matthew Goode’s subtle guilt makes the eventual betrayal sting a little more. It's a "comfort watch" for a reason.
Where Are They Now?
It’s 2026, and looking back, this cast has had some of the most enduring careers in Hollywood.
- Mandy Moore: After her massive success on This Is Us, she’s basically Hollywood royalty now. She’s moved back into music while still picking up prestige TV roles.
- Matthew Goode: He’s become a go-to for sophisticated, complex characters. Whether it’s A Discovery of Witches or The Offer, he’s far moved past the "heartthrob on a bike" trope.
- Jeremy Piven: He continues to tour with stand-up comedy and take on indie film projects.
- Mark Harmon: After nearly two decades on NCIS, he’s enjoying a bit of a slower pace, though he remains one of the most recognizable faces on television.
If you're looking to revisit the film, it's usually floating around on platforms like Max or available for rent on Amazon. It’s worth a watch just to see these stars before they were "icons."
Next Steps for Fans
If you want to see more of this cast in their prime, I’d suggest checking out A Walk to Remember for peak early Mandy Moore, or Leap Year (2010) if you want another Matthew Goode rom-com where he plays a cynical-but-charming guy helping a girl travel across a European country. Same vibes, different accent.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Rewatch
- Look for the Cameos: Keep an eye out for The Roots—yes, the band—appearing in the film during the Berlin scenes.
- Compare the Locations: If you're planning a trip to Prague, many of the spots filmed, like the Charles Bridge, are even more stunning in person than they look in the 2004 cinematography.
- Double Feature: Watch it alongside Roman Holiday. The writers clearly took "inspiration" from the Audrey Hepburn classic, and it's fun to see the modern parallels.