You know that feeling when a villain is so deliciously passive-aggressive it actually makes your skin crawl? That is the essence of Mother Gothel. She isn't just a witch with a grudge; she’s the queen of gaslighting. If you’ve ever found yourself humming "Mother Knows Best" while simultaneously feeling a bit guilty for some reason, you can thank the incredible women who have stepped into those velvet robes.
Whether you are a fan of the 2010 animated masterpiece Tangled or you’re tracking the latest casting rumors for the upcoming live-action remake, the question of who plays Mother Gothel is more than just a trivia point. It’s a study in how to play a "cool mom" who is actually a monster.
The Original Icon: Donna Murphy
Honestly, it is hard to imagine anyone else bringing Gothel to life in the way Donna Murphy did. Back in 2010, when Disney was pivotting from traditional 2D animation to this new, vibrant CGI style, they needed a voice that could carry both theatrical weight and intimate cruelty.
Murphy is a Broadway legend. We’re talking two-time Tony Award winner. She wasn’t just a "voice actress" for this role; she basically became the character in the recording booth. If you watch the behind-the-scenes footage, you’ll see her using her whole body to deliver those lines.
She brought a specific kind of Broadway "belt" to the songs, but it was the spoken dialogue that really stuck. The way she calls Rapunzel "flower" or "sweetie" right before insulting her hair or her intelligence? That’s pure Murphy magic. She didn't play Gothel as a cackling hag. She played her as a woman who genuinely believed she was the protagonist of her own life, even if that life required kidnapping a baby for eternal youth.
💡 You might also like: Greatest Rock and Roll Singers of All Time: Why the Legends Still Own the Mic
The Live-Action Newcomer: Kathryn Hahn
Now, let’s talk about the news that has the internet collectively losing its mind. As of early 2026, the word is officially out: Kathryn Hahn is set to play Mother Gothel in Disney’s live-action Tangled remake.
This casting is, frankly, a stroke of genius. Hahn has spent the last few years proving she is the undisputed queen of the "charming-but-deadly" archetype. If you saw her as Agatha Harkness in Agatha All Along or WandaVision, you already know she can handle the transition from "friendly neighbor" to "ancient sorceress" in a single heartbeat.
Why Hahn Fits the Vibe
- The Comedy: Gothel is funny. She’s theatrical. Hahn’s background in improv and comedy means she’ll nail the dry, biting wit.
- The Song: Everyone is already wondering how she’ll handle "Mother Knows Best." Based on "Agatha All Along," we know she can carry a tune and, more importantly, she can carry a performance through a tune.
- The Look: With the dark curls and the expressive eyes, she looks like she stepped right out of the animated frames.
She’ll be starring alongside Teagan Croft as Rapunzel and Milo Manheim as Flynn Rider. It’s a younger cast than some expected, which makes the choice of an established powerhouse like Hahn even more vital to balance the film.
The Once Upon a Time Twist: Emma Booth
We can’t talk about who plays Mother Gothel without mentioning the small screen. Once Upon a Time loved to flip the script on classic villains, and in Season 7, they gave us a very different version of Gothel.
📖 Related: Ted Nugent State of Shock: Why This 1979 Album Divides Fans Today
Emma Booth took on the role here. In this universe, Gothel wasn't just a vain woman with a magic flower; she was an ancient nymph, a literal force of nature who wanted to reclaim the world from humanity. Booth’s portrayal was much colder and more ethereal than Murphy’s.
It was a darker take. She wasn't trying to be Rapunzel’s "mom" in a quirky, manipulative way—she was a leader of a coven with a much more apocalyptic to-do list. It’s a great example of how the same character name can be interpreted in wildly different ways depending on the actress.
Why This Role is So Hard to Cast
Mother Gothel is a unique beast in the Disney villain pantheon. Most villains want power or a kingdom. Gothel just wants to not have wrinkles. It’s a very human, very petty motivation that makes her feel way more dangerous than a dragon or a sea witch.
The actress has to be:
👉 See also: Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus Explained (Simply)
- Vain but not caricature-ish.
- Scary but also seemingly "safe" (at least at first).
- Able to sing a powerhouse musical number.
Donna Murphy set the bar incredibly high. She gave us a villain who used emotional manipulation as her primary weapon. When you watch the animated film now, the "Mother Knows Best" (Reprise) is arguably the scariest moment in the movie because it's not about magic—it's about a parent figure breaking a child's spirit.
What’s Next for the Character?
With the live-action movie directed by Michael Gracey (of The Greatest Showman fame), the expectations are through the roof. Gracey knows how to film a musical spectacle, and with a script from Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, we might see a version of Gothel that is even more psychologically complex than the original.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of Gothel, start by re-watching the 2010 film and paying close attention to Donna Murphy’s phrasing. Then, go check out Kathryn Hahn's work in Agatha All Along to see why Disney chose her to carry the torch.
The best way to appreciate these performances is to look for the "flicker"—that moment where the "loving" mother mask slips and you see the desperate, aging woman underneath. That is the secret sauce to playing this character.
Keep an eye on the production news as filming begins later this year. We’re likely to see the first costume tests soon, and seeing Hahn in that iconic crimson dress will definitely be the moment this project feels "real" for the fans. Don't be surprised if this version leans even harder into the theatricality that Murphy pioneered.