Ask anyone to describe Pippi Longstocking and you'll get the same visual. Gravity-defying braids. Mismatched stockings. A freckled face that looks like it's perpetually planning a heist on a candy store. But who played Pippi Longstocking in that definitive way that etched the character into global pop culture?
It’s a trickier question than you might think. While Inger Nilsson is the name that most people—especially in Europe and the US—associate with the role, there have been a handful of actresses who stepped into those oversized shoes. Each one brought a different flavor to Astrid Lindgren’s anarchist nine-year-old.
Honestly, Pippi is a tough role to cast. You need a kid who looks like they could actually lift a horse but also possesses a weird, soulful wisdom. It's not just about the hair.
The Definitive Pippi: Inger Nilsson
If you grew up watching the dubbed 1969 television series or the subsequent films like Pippi on the Run, you’re thinking of Inger Nilsson. She was eight years old when she was cast.
Nilsson didn’t just play Pippi; she was the template.
Director Olle Hellbom looked at thousands of girls before finding her. Legend has it that as soon as Nilsson walked into the room, Hellbom knew. She had this natural, slightly defiant smirk that couldn’t be taught by an acting coach. Throughout the late 60s and early 70s, Nilsson filmed thirteen episodes and two feature-length movies.
The production was grueling for a child. They filmed in Visby, on the Swedish island of Gotland. Because it was a Swedish-West German co-production, the actors often had to record their lines multiple times or work with voice actors for different markets. Nilsson’s performance survived the dubbing process because her physical comedy was so precise. Her comedic timing—especially when dealing with the bumbling police officers Kling and Klang—was surprisingly sophisticated for a kid with zero professional training.
Interestingly, Nilsson didn't continue a massive acting career immediately after. She worked as a secretary for years before returning to the screen later in life. You might have seen her more recently in the German crime series Der Kommissar und das Meer, where she plays a forensic pathologist. It’s a jarring shift if you still picture her carrying a chest of gold coins.
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The American Attempt: Tami Erin and the 1988 Mishap
By the mid-80s, Hollywood decided it was time for a big-budget, English-language version. This led to The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking.
The search for the lead was massive. Producers looked at over 8,000 girls across the United States. They eventually landed on Tami Erin.
Erin was a young model and actress who had the athleticism the role required. Unlike the Swedish production, which relied on clever editing and camera angles to show Pippi’s strength, the 1988 film wanted high-energy stunts. Erin did a lot of her own gymnastics.
However, the film is a bit of a polarizing topic for Pippi purists. It leaned heavily into the "Americanized" musical format. While Erin was energetic and technically proficient, some fans felt the movie lacked the dry, Scandinavian wit found in the original books. It felt a bit too "Disney-fied" for a character who was originally conceived as a subversion of polite society.
The Forgotten First: Viveca Serlachius
Long before the 1969 series became a global phenomenon, there was a 1949 Swedish film. This is the deep-cut answer to the question of who played Pippi Longstocking.
Viveca Serlachius took the lead.
This version is rarely seen today outside of Swedish film archives. Astrid Lindgren herself was famously unhappy with it. The script drifted too far from her vision, making Pippi feel more like a standard naughty child rather than the superhuman philosopher Lindgren intended. Serlachius was much older than the character—she was in her mid-20s playing a nine-year-old. It created a strange, uncanny valley effect that didn't quite capture the magic of the books.
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The Voice of Pippi: Animation and Beyond
We can't talk about who played the character without mentioning the 1997 animated series. This version introduced Pippi to a whole new generation of 90s kids.
Melissa Altro provided the voice for Pippi in the Nelvana-produced series. If her voice sounds familiar, it’s probably because she also voiced Muffy Crosswire in Arthur. Altro managed to capture that raspy, confident tone that Nilsson had established decades earlier.
In the world of theater, the list of actresses grows even longer. Since the books are public domain in many parts of the world (or heavily licensed for stage), thousands of girls have donned the orange wig. But in the professional realm, the 1982 Swedish musical featured Siw Malmkvist, a famous singer who brought a more melodic, theatrical energy to Villa Villekulla.
Why Inger Nilsson Remains the Standard
So, why does everyone point back to the 1969 version?
It’s about the "look." The costume design in the Hellbom films—the oversized shoes, the apron with patches, the wire-supported braids—became the official visual identity of the brand. When people draw Pippi today, they aren't drawing Tami Erin. They're drawing Inger Nilsson.
There’s also the matter of the "Pippi Curse." Playing such an iconic character often makes it impossible for an actor to be seen as anything else. Nilsson has spoken candidly in interviews about how difficult it was to find work in Sweden after Pippi. Casting directors couldn't see past the braids. She was essentially "typed" out of the industry during her prime years.
Tami Erin faced similar hurdles. After the 1988 film, she mostly moved away from major acting roles, pivoting into fashion and philanthropic work. It seems the character of Pippi is so large, so loud, and so physically distinct that it swallows the person playing her.
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What to Watch If You’re Curious
If you want to see the "real" Pippi, you have to go to the source.
- The 1969 Series: Look for the remastered versions. Even with the slightly wonky English dubbing, Nilsson’s charisma is undeniable.
- The 1988 Film: Watch this if you want a nostalgic 80s fever dream with surprisingly good sets and practical effects.
- The 1997 Animation: Great for kids who find the older live-action stuff a bit too slow-paced.
Looking ahead, there have been talks of a new Pippi Longstocking adaptation from the producers of Paddington. This is a huge deal. The Paddington team is known for treating literary icons with immense respect and a "gentle" touch. Casting for this will be a massive undertaking. They’ll need a girl who can balance the absurdity of a child living alone with a monkey and the genuine heart of a girl waiting for her father to return from the sea.
Next Steps for Pippi Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the history of these productions, your first stop should be the Astrid Lindgren Company archives. They maintain the most accurate records of how Lindgren interacted with her lead actresses.
Alternatively, if you find yourself in Sweden, visit Astrid Lindgren’s World in Vimmerby. It’s a theme park where you can see live performances. The actresses there are trained specifically to mimic the mannerisms and vocal patterns established by Inger Nilsson in the 1960s, keeping that specific interpretation of the character alive for new generations.
Finally, check out the documentary Becoming Astrid. While it isn't about the actresses who played Pippi, it explains the trauma and life experiences that led Lindgren to create the character in the first place. Understanding the author helps you understand why casting the right "Pippi" is so vital—she wasn't just a character; she was a symbol of freedom for a woman who felt she had none.