If you close your eyes and think of the name Jennifer Honey, you probably see a pair of wire-rimmed glasses, a floral dress, and a smile that feels like a warm hug. It’s one of those rare literary roles that somehow feels like it belongs to everyone. But when we ask who played Miss Honey in Matilda, the answer depends entirely on when you grew up. For many, it’s the 1996 cult classic film. For others, it’s the high-energy West End or Broadway stage. And more recently, a whole new generation met her through a streaming screen.
She is the ultimate "safe adult." In Roald Dahl's world—a place where parents are often grotesque and headmistresses are literally Olympic-level child-tossers—Miss Honey is the only thing standing between Matilda Wormwood and total despair.
The Iconic Embodiment: Embeth Davidtz (1996)
For the vast majority of people, who played Miss Honey in Matilda starts and ends with Embeth Davidtz.
She was perfect. There is no other way to put it. Davidtz, an American-born South African actress, brought a specific kind of fragile strength to the 1996 Danny DeVito film. Before Matilda, Davidtz was perhaps best known for her role in Schindler's List, which is a wild jump in tone. But that depth served her well. She didn't just play a "nice teacher." She played a woman who had been systematically broken by her aunt, the terrifying Miss Trunchbull, yet chose to remain soft anyway.
The chemistry between Davidtz and Mara Wilson (who played Matilda) wasn't just acting. They genuinely bonded on set. In fact, when Mara Wilson’s mother was battling cancer during filming, the cast and crew became a surrogate family. That real-world tenderness bled into the scenes in the cottage. You can see it in the way Davidtz looks at Wilson. It’s not just a scripted glance; it’s genuine care.
Interestingly, Davidtz didn't lean into the "mousey" trope too hard. Her Miss Honey had a quiet, simmering intelligence. She was the one who recognized Matilda's genius first. She was the one who lived in a literal shack and ate margarine to escape her abuser. Davidtz made that struggle feel grounded in a movie that was otherwise very cartoonish and bright.
The Musical Evolution: Lashana Lynch (2022)
Fast forward a few decades. The world changed, and so did the way we tell stories. When Netflix announced a film adaptation of Matilda the Musical, the casting of Lashana Lynch sparked a lot of conversation.
If you’d only seen Lynch as the high-octane 00 agent in No Time to Die or the fierce warrior in The Woman King, you might have wondered how she'd fit into a floral cardigan. But she was a revelation. Lynch brought a soulful, vocal power to the role that we hadn't seen before.
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In the stage musical (written by Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly), Miss Honey gets much more emotional heavy lifting. She has the song "My House," which is arguably the most heartbreaking moment in the entire show. Lynch’s version of the character felt more modern. She wasn't just a victim of the Trunchbull; she was someone actively trying to find her voice in real-time.
People often forget that the 2022 film is an adaptation of the stage show, not a remake of the 1996 movie. Because of that, Lynch had to play the character with a rhythmic, almost lyrical quality. Her Miss Honey felt like someone who was holding her breath for twenty years and finally learned how to exhale. It was a bold, brilliant piece of casting that proved the character’s essence—kindness and resilience—isn't tied to a specific look or background.
The Women of the Stage: The Unsung Miss Honeys
While the movies get the most "search juice," the stage version of Matilda has been running globally for over a decade. If you saw the show in London, New York, or on tour, your answer to who played Miss Honey in Matilda might be one of several incredible theater veterans.
- Lauren Ward: She originated the role in the Stratford-upon-Avon production and later took it to the West End and Broadway. She set the template for the musical version of the character—sweet, slightly anxious, but with a backbone of steel. She actually received a Tony nomination for the role in 2013.
- Miria Parvin: A standout in the West End production who many fans cite as having the perfect vocal clarity for those difficult Tim Minchin lyrics.
- Jill Paice: Another Broadway alum who brought a very classic, polished feel to the role during the show's massive run at the Shubert Theatre.
Stage actresses have a harder job in some ways. They have to play "quiet" and "timid" while also projecting their voice to the back of a 1,500-seat theater. It’s a physical paradox. They have to be small enough for the Trunchbull to intimidate, but big enough to fill a stage with a solo.
Why Miss Honey Matters in 2026
We live in a loud world. Most movie heroes are loud. They punch things. They have superpowers. Miss Honey’s "superpower" is literally just being a decent human being.
When looking at the history of who played Miss Honey in Matilda, you notice a pattern. Every actress who takes the role focuses on her ears—not literally, but in how she listens to the children. In a story about a girl who is ignored by her parents and bullied by her principal, Miss Honey is the person who finally pays attention.
That’s why the role stays relevant. Whether it’s Davidtz’s gentle 90s vibes or Lynch’s powerhouse 2020s energy, the core is the same: the importance of one adult believing in a child.
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The Surprising Origins: Roald Dahl's Real Inspiration
Did you know Miss Honey might have been based on a real person? Sorta. Roald Dahl often pulled from his own traumatic school experiences (which were much darker than the book, honestly).
While the Trunchbull was a composite of several cruel teachers and a particularly mean matron from his boarding school days, Miss Honey represented the "ideal" that Dahl wished he had. She is the literary antidote to the cruelty he witnessed. When Davidtz or Lynch play her, they are essentially playing a guardian angel with a teaching degree.
A Quick Breakdown of the Main Versions
If you're trying to keep the timeline straight, here is how the primary portrayals of Miss Honey stack up:
The 1996 Film (Classic)
The actress was Embeth Davidtz. This version focuses on the domestic abuse she suffered at the hands of the Trunchbull and her eventual adoption of Matilda. It’s the most "storybook" version of the character.
The Stage Musical (Original West End/Broadway)
Lauren Ward is the name to remember here. This version added the "Acrobat and the Escapologist" subplot, giving Miss Honey a deeper, more mystical connection to Matilda’s storytelling.
The 2022 Musical Film (Modern)
Lashana Lynch took the lead. This version is more vibrant and centers on the power of collective rebellion, with Miss Honey eventually leading the charge to reclaim Crunchem Hall.
Common Misconceptions About the Casting
Sometimes people get confused and think Miss Honey was played by other "nice" 90s actresses. No, it wasn't Gwyneth Paltrow. It wasn't Laura Dern (though she would have been great).
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Another weirdly common mistake? People thinking the actress who played Miss Honey is the same one who played the mom in The Parent Trap. That was Natasha Richardson. They have a similar "kind blonde lady" energy, but Davidtz has a more reserved, delicate quality that was specific to the Miss Honey role.
What to Watch (or Re-watch) Next
If you’ve fallen down the Miss Honey rabbit hole, don't just stop at the movies.
- Check out the 1996 Commentary: If you can find the special features of the DVD (or digital extras), listen to Danny DeVito talk about casting Davidtz. He specifically wanted someone who felt "out of time," someone who didn't feel like a modern 90s woman.
- Listen to the Broadway Cast Recording: Listen to Lauren Ward sing "My House." It changes how you view the character’s internal life.
- Watch Lashana Lynch’s Interviews: She talks extensively about how she wanted to make Miss Honey feel like a real person with a real history, rather than a caricature of a victim.
The character of Miss Honey is a masterclass in soft power. She doesn't have Matilda's telekinesis. She doesn't have the Trunchbull's physical strength. But she wins in the end because she is consistent.
She stays. She helps. She teaches.
Whether you prefer the 1996 version or the 2022 musical, the actresses who have stepped into those sensible shoes have all understood one thing: Miss Honey isn't just a teacher. She is the person we all hope to find when the world feels a little too much like Crunchem Hall.
Actionable Insights for Matilda Fans
- For the 1996 Purists: Re-watch the film and pay attention to the color palette. Notice how Miss Honey's clothes gradually get brighter as she spends more time with Matilda. It's a subtle costume arc by Jane Ruhm.
- For Theater Lovers: If a local production of Matilda the Musical is playing in your city, go see it. The Miss Honey role is a "star-maker" for local theater talent because of the vocal range required.
- For Readers: Go back to the original Roald Dahl book. Notice how Miss Honey is described—the actresses stayed remarkably true to his original vision of "a mild and quiet person who never raised her voice."