If you’ve spent any time around kids—or if you just happen to enjoy James Corden’s specific brand of high-energy chaos—you’ve probably seen the 2018 live-action hybrid. Most people think they know the cast of peter rabbit the movie just by hearing the voices, but the lineup is actually a lot more "prestige" than the slapstick trailers might suggest. It’s a weird, frantic, and surprisingly star-studded ensemble that turned a quiet Beatrix Potter garden into a literal battlefield.
The Voice Behind the Blue Coat
James Corden was a polarizing choice for Peter. Honestly, he was. Some people found his boisterous, slightly arrogant take on the bunny a bit much, while others thought it brought the character into the 21st century. Before this, Peter Rabbit was mostly seen as a soft, watercolor illustration. Corden turned him into a teenager who throws ragers when the homeowner dies. It’s a choice!
But Corden wasn’t alone in that recording booth. The casting directors basically raided the A-list trailer park to fill out the burrow. You’ve got Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, and Daisy Ridley. Think about that for a second. That is a massive amount of "Oscar-nominated energy" for a movie where a rabbit gets hit in the face with a rake.
Margot Robbie voiced Flopsy. She also narrated the film. Her voice has this dry, observational quality that balances out the more frantic energy of the other bunnies. Then there’s Elizabeth Debicki as Mopsy. Debicki is usually playing these incredibly tall, elegant, tragic figures in things like The Crown or Tenet, so hearing her voice a bossy, slightly neurotic rabbit is a fun subversion. Daisy Ridley rounded out the trio as Cottontail. If you look closely at the character designs, you can actually see bits of the actors' expressions in the CGI, which is a testament to the work done by Animal Logic, the Sydney-based VFX powerhouse.
The Humans in the Garden
Domhnall Gleeson is arguably the MVP here.
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Most actors would phone in a role where they have to scream at thin air (since the rabbits are added in post-production), but Gleeson goes full Buster Keaton. He plays Thomas McGregor, the great-nephew of the original Mr. McGregor. He’s high-strung, he’s obsessed with order, and his physical comedy is genuinely elite. Watching him lose his mind over a carrot is a masterclass in commitment.
Rose Byrne plays Bea, the neighbor and stand-in for Beatrix Potter herself. Byrne is the heart of the movie. She provides the necessary groundedness that keeps the whole thing from spinning off into pure Looney Tunes territory. Her chemistry with Gleeson is what actually makes the "cast of peter rabbit the movie" feel like a real ensemble rather than just a bunch of people who showed up to collect a paycheck.
Wait, we have to talk about Sam Neill.
People forget he’s in this. He plays the elder Mr. McGregor in the beginning. It’s a short role—spoiler alert, he doesn't make it past the first act—but he brings that classic, grumpy grit that sets the stakes. He also voices Tommy Brock, the badger. If you didn’t catch that, go back and listen. It’s a total 180 from his Jurassic Park days.
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The Supporting Characters You Definitely Recognized
The movie is packed with "Oh, that’s that guy!" moments.
- Sia as Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle: Yes, the "Chandelier" singer plays the hedgehog. She’s obsessed with laundry and has a bit of a weird edge to her. It’s a tiny role, but it’s memorable.
- Colin Moody as Benjamin Bunny: He plays the loyal, slightly dim-witted cousin. Moody has this great, gravelly voice that contrasts perfectly with Corden’s higher pitch.
- Matt Lucas as Benny: If you’re a fan of British comedy, his voice is unmistakable.
- David Wenham as Johnny Town-Mouse: Another heavy hitter from the Lord of the Rings cast just casually popping in for a cameo.
It's actually pretty wild how many Australian actors are in this, considering it's a quintessential British story. But since the production was largely based in Australia for the VFX and some filming, it makes sense. It gave the film a slightly different "vibe" than your standard BBC adaptation.
Why the Casting Faced Backlash
It wasn't all carrots and sunshine. When the movie first dropped, there was some genuine heat regarding the "cast of peter rabbit the movie" and the script. Specifically, the "blackberry scene."
In the film, the rabbits use Thomas McGregor’s known blackberry allergy against him. They basically weaponize his allergy. For parents of kids with real-world food allergies, this wasn't funny. It was a whole thing. Sony had to issue an apology. It’s a weird footnote in what is otherwise a pretty lighthearted family film, but it shows how much weight these characters carry. People care about Peter Rabbit, even if he’s now wearing a hoodie and listening to pop music.
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How to Spot the Talent in the Sequel
If you liked the first one, the sequel, The Runaway Rabbit, brought almost everyone back but added David Oyelowo into the mix. He plays a slick "big city" publisher. His addition changed the dynamic, moving the focus away from the garden and into the urban jungle.
The transition from the first film to the second really showcased the range of the voice actors. Margot Robbie, in particular, gets a lot more to do as the stakes get higher. It’s rare for a voice cast to stay this consistent across sequels, but the chemistry clearly worked.
Actionable Tips for Film Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into how this cast was assembled or how the movie was made, there are a few things you should check out:
- Watch the Behind-the-Scenes VFX Reels: Look up "Animal Logic Peter Rabbit." Seeing Domhnall Gleeson wrestle with a stuntman in a grey spandex suit (who is later replaced by Peter) makes you appreciate his acting even more.
- Compare the Voices: Listen to Elizabeth Debicki in The Night Manager and then listen to her as Mopsy. The vocal shift is a great lesson in character acting.
- Read the Original Tales: To really appreciate what the movie did (and what it changed), grab a copy of the actual Beatrix Potter books. The contrast between the quiet, Victorian prose and the "food fight" energy of the film is staggering.
- Check the Credits for Cameos: Keep an ear out for Bryan Brown and Rachel Ward. They have small roles that are easy to miss if you aren't paying attention.
The success of the movie really came down to the fact that they didn't just hire "voice actors"—they hired massive stars and let them be funny. It shouldn't have worked as well as it did, but because the human actors (Gleeson and Byrne) took the material seriously, the CGI rabbits felt like real characters with real relationships. Whether you're a fan of the modern update or a purist for the old books, you can't deny the sheer talent packed into that garden.