If you’ve ever found yourself humming "Once Upon a December" while staring at a music box, you've probably wondered about the face—or the voice—behind the character. It’s a bit of a trick question, actually. Depending on whether you grew up in the nineties, prefer the glitz of Broadway, or are a fan of Golden Age Hollywood, the answer to who plays Anastasia in Anastasia changes completely.
The story of the Grand Duchess is one of those rare legends that Hollywood just won't let die. It’s been a romantic drama, a lush animated musical, and a massive stage production. Each version has its own "Anya," and honestly, each actress brings something totally different to the table. Let’s break down the women who stepped into those iconic blue dresses and Romanov tiaras.
The Voices of the 1997 Animated Classic
Most people asking about this are thinking of the 1997 Fox animation. You know the one—with the talking bat and the terrifying Rasputin. But here’s the thing: it wasn't just one person. It was a team effort to create that specific spunky, stubborn version of Anya.
Meg Ryan: The Speaking Voice
Meg Ryan was at the peak of her "America’s Sweetheart" era when she took on the role. She provided the speaking voice for the adult Anastasia. Directors Don Bluth and Gary Goldman actually had to convince her to do it. Apparently, she was a bit hesitant about the dark subject matter until they showed her a test animation of the character speaking lines from her movie Sleepless in Seattle. Once she saw the "feistiness" they were going for, she was in.
Liz Callaway: The Singing Voice
If you’ve ever been moved to tears by "Journey to the Past," you’re actually listening to Liz Callaway. Meg Ryan doesn't sing in the film. Callaway has one of those crystalline Broadway voices that defined a generation of animated heroines. She captured that mix of vulnerability and "I-can-do-this" energy that made the soundtrack a multi-platinum hit.
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The Younger Versions
We can’t forget the kids. A young Kirsten Dunst actually provided the speaking voice for the child Anastasia in the prologue. For the singing bits of the young princess, Lacey Chabert (yes, Gretchen Wieners from Mean Girls) took the mic. It’s a star-studded lineup for just one character.
Christy Altomare and the Broadway Transformation
When the story moved to the stage in 2017, they needed someone who could do it all—act, sing those powerhouse notes, and hold a massive Broadway stage for two and a half hours.
Christy Altomare originated the role of Anya on Broadway, and she basically became the face of the franchise for a new era. Unlike the movie, the musical leans a bit more into the historical tragedy and the "street-smart" side of the character. Altomare’s performance was legendary among fans; she played the role from the Hartford Stage tryouts all the way through the Broadway closing in 2019.
She wasn't just "playing a princess." She was playing an amnesiac survivor trying to find her family in the middle of a revolution. Her version of the character felt more grounded. You really felt the desperation of a girl who had nothing but a ticket to Paris and a gut feeling. Since she left, other talented women like Lila Coogan have stepped into the role for national tours, keeping the "Fanastasia" community alive and well.
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The Oscar-Winning Original: Ingrid Bergman
Long before the animation, there was the 1956 live-action film. This version is a bit more "prestige drama" and less "magical journey."
Ingrid Bergman played the lead, and it was a massive deal at the time. It was her "comeback" film after a huge public scandal in Hollywood. She was so good that she actually won the Academy Award for Best Actress for the role.
In this version, the character is known as Anna Koreff, a woman found in a confused state who might—or might not—be the Grand Duchess. Bergman played the ambiguity beautifully. You’re never 100% sure if she’s the real Anastasia or just a very talented amnesiac being coached by a con man (played by the legendary Yul Brynner). It’s a masterclass in acting that sets the bar for every version that followed.
Other Notable Versions You Might Have Missed
The "Anastasia" name has been used in several other projects, some more historically accurate than others.
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- Emily Carey: Before she was young Alicent Hightower in House of the Dragon, she played the title role in the 2020 film Anastasia: Once Upon a Time. It’s a weird one—a portal-jumping fantasy where she ends up in 1980s America.
- Amy Irving: She voiced the character in a 1997 direct-to-video version that often gets confused with the Fox big-budget movie.
- Nicola Pagett: She played the role in the 1971 TV miniseries Stephen M, focusing more on the "Anna Anderson" claimant story.
Why the Casting Matters
The reason people care so much about who plays Anastasia in Anastasia is that the character represents a specific kind of hope. Whether it's Meg Ryan's sass, Christy Altomare’s powerhouse vocals, or Ingrid Bergman’s haunting elegance, each actress taps into the mystery of the "lost" girl.
The real Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia had a tragic end, but through these performances, the legend of her survival stays alive. It’s less about historical facts and more about the "what if."
Quick Reference for Your Trivia Night
If you need a fast answer for a friend:
- 1997 Movie: Meg Ryan (speaking) and Liz Callaway (singing).
- Broadway Musical: Christy Altomare (Original Cast).
- 1956 Movie: Ingrid Bergman (Oscar Winner).
- 2020 Movie: Emily Carey.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of the Romanovs, your next step should be to check out the Original Broadway Cast Recording of the musical. It features several songs not found in the movie that expand on the history of the characters. Alternatively, if you want to see the performance that won an Oscar, the 1956 Anastasia is a must-watch for any cinema buff wanting to see how the legend started on the silver screen.