Honestly, if you turn on the TV on a rainy Sunday afternoon, there is a very high chance you'll run into Leap Year. It’s that 2010 rom-com that everyone claims is "just okay" but secretly watches every single time it's on. You know the one—Amy Adams tries to get to Dublin to propose to her boyfriend because of some old Irish tradition, gets stranded, and ends up bickering with a grumpy but secretly sweet pub owner. It’s predictable. It’s cheesy. But the cast of Leap Year movie is actually way overqualified for the material, and that is exactly why it has stuck around in our collective consciousness for over a decade.
When you look at the names on the poster, it’s kind of wild. You've got a multi-time Oscar nominee, a British prestige drama staple, and a comedy legend who was, at the time, playing one of the most terrifying serial killers in television history. It’s a weird mix that somehow balances out the film’s more ridiculous "leprechaun-lite" tropes.
Who was actually in the cast of Leap Year movie?
The heavy lifting is done by a very small core group. Most of the movie is just two people walking through fields or arguing in a tiny car, so if the chemistry isn't there, the whole thing falls apart.
Amy Adams as Anna Brady
Amy Adams plays Anna, a "stager" from Boston who is obsessed with perfection. Before this, she was already a massive star thanks to Enchanted and Doubt. In 2010, she was in that transition phase where she was still doing lighthearted comedies but clearly had the "it" factor for much heavier roles. She brings a weirdly grounded energy to Anna. Even when the script makes her do something totally nonsensical—like walking across Ireland in $600 stilettos—Adams makes you believe she’s actually that stressed out.
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Matthew Goode as Declan O'Callaghan
Matthew Goode plays Declan, the cynical Irishman who runs a pub that is also a taxi service and apparently the only building in Dingle. Now, look, Goode is great, but let’s address the elephant in the room: his accent. It’s... a choice. It’s sort of a "generic Hollywood Irish" that doesn't really exist in nature. However, his chemistry with Adams is undeniable. Before this, he was Ozymandias in Watchmen, which is about as far from a rom-com lead as you can get. He’s got that sharp, dry wit that makes the "enemies-to-lovers" trope actually feel earned.
Adam Scott as Jeremy Sloane
Before he was the lovable nerd Ben Wyatt on Parks and Recreation, Adam Scott was Hollywood’s go-to guy for playing the "wrong boyfriend." In the cast of Leap Year movie, he plays Jeremy, the cardiologist boyfriend who is perfectly nice but incredibly boring. He’s obsessed with his career and his BlackBerry (remember those?). Scott is an expert at playing characters who are technically doing nothing wrong but you still want the protagonist to dump them immediately.
John Lithgow as Jack Brady
This is the one that always catches people off guard. John Lithgow has a very brief role as Anna’s father. It’s basically a cameo, but he’s the one who tells her about the "Leap Day proposal" tradition. At the time this came out, Lithgow was literally winning Emmys for playing the Trinity Killer on Dexter. Seeing him go from a suburban murderer to a bumbling, well-meaning dad in a romantic comedy was a total tonal whiplash for audiences in 2010.
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The supporting players you probably recognize
While the main trio gets all the screen time, the Irish locals add a lot of the flavor (and the clichés).
- Kaitlin Olson: Long before Hacks and while she was still a mainstay on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, she showed up as Anna’s best friend, Libby. She’s only in a few scenes at the beginning, but she brings that frantic energy she’s famous for.
- Tony Rohr and Pat Laffan: These are the veteran Irish actors who play the "color" in the countryside. They play the guys at the pub or the B&B owners who have very strict rules about unmarried couples sharing a bed. They provide the obstacles that force Anna and Declan into "fake marriage" scenarios.
- Dominique McElligott: She plays the bride at the wedding Anna and Declan crash. You probably know her now as Queen Maeve from The Boys. It’s a fun "before they were famous" moment.
Why the casting saved the movie
If you read the reviews from when it first came out, critics were pretty brutal. They called it "clichéd" and "lobotomized." But here’s the thing: people still love it. There is a specific kind of comfort in watching talented actors like Adams and Goode lean into a silly premise.
The movie was filmed on location in Wicklow, Dublin, and the Aran Islands, and the cast actually had to deal with the volatile Irish weather. That shivering you see on screen? It probably wasn't all acting. The production spent about €15 million in Ireland, using local crews and converted freezer units in Dublin’s Docklands as makeshift studios because they were soundproofed. That grit—even in a glossy rom-com—gives it a texture that a lot of modern, green-screened Netflix romances lack.
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What to watch next if you liked the cast
If you're a fan of the specific vibes the cast of Leap Year movie brought to the table, you've got some great rabbit holes to jump down.
- For more Matthew Goode: Check out Stoker for something dark, or The Offer where he plays Robert Evans. He's incredibly versatile when he’s not doing a questionable Irish accent.
- For more Amy Adams: If you haven't seen Arrival or Sharp Objects, you're missing out on why she’s considered one of the best of her generation.
- The "Leap Year" Vibe: If you just want more "American gets lost in the UK/Ireland" stories, the 1945 film I Know Where I'm Going! is actually the superior version of this plot. It’s black and white, but it’s brilliant.
If you're planning a rewatch, keep an eye out for the "Rock of Dunamase" scene. It’s presented as a castle they just happen to walk to, but in reality, it's a bit of a hike from where they were supposed to be. The geography of the movie makes absolutely no sense to anyone who actually lives in Ireland, but with Amy Adams at the helm, you're usually too distracted to care.
To get the most out of your next viewing, try looking up the actual filming locations in County Galway and Wicklow. Many of the pubs and B&Bs featured are real spots you can visit, though don't expect Matthew Goode to be behind the bar waiting to drive you to Dublin.