Wicked: For Good changes Nessarose’s story for better and worse, but its wider impact means more

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The film version of Wicked has made history by casting Marissa Bode, a disabled actor, as Nessarose, Elphaba’s sister. This is the first time anyone in a Wicked production – whether on stage or in the movie – has taken on the role with a disability.

The production made history by casting a disabled actor to play the adult Nessarose, and went a step further by casting six-year-old Cesily Collette Taylor, who also uses a wheelchair, as the younger version of the character.

Following the successful release of the first part of the adaptation last year, the Broadway production has also seen positive changes. Jenna Bainbridge, who uses a wheelchair for mobility, was cast earlier this year.

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Beyond this exciting progress in accurately representing disabled characters, there’s growing support for expanding this commitment. The goal is to include disabled actors not only in future productions of Wicked, but also in other TV shows and movies, creating a more inclusive and accessible media industry for disabled creatives today and in the future.

The musical Wicked: For Good enhances a key scene for the character Nessarose by having her float instead of walk after Elphaba magically alters the silver slippers. While the show might not fully explore Nessarose’s story, this change is still significant for portraying disability.

Similar to the first film, Nessarose doesn’t have many scenes or lines, even though she’s important to the overall story. While this continues somewhat in the musical’s second act, the movie could have explored her character more before her tragic fate – it feels like a lost chance to deepen her story.

Although Nessarose has fewer speaking parts and scenes, she remains a memorable character, thanks to Marissa Bode’s strong performance, which also highlights how much the show Wicked has evolved. We quickly see a changed Nessarose – no longer the sweet and unassuming student from Wiz University, but a completely different person.

In many ways, she has changed. The biggest difference in Nessarose isn’t in how she carries herself, but in how she’s abandoned her former beliefs. She now speaks with a harshness that reflects her ambition, and her bearing shows she’s focused on not just having power, but completely controlling others.

The new version of Nessarose is surprisingly different and even a little disturbing. She’s a far cry from the character audiences grew to like in the first movie. Now, she’s almost unrecognizable, driven by a strong desire for power and a desperate need to escape her sister’s influence.

In Wicked: For Good, Elphaba gives Nessarose what she believes is her deepest desire. However, Nessarose soon realizes that true happiness isn’t about what you can do, but about being open-minded, willing to connect with others, and treating everyone fairly.

She believed the world, especially her sister, owed her a debt because she’d been confined to her chair and missed out on life. But the movie, even in a brief moment, highlighted a powerful truth: nothing is guaranteed – everything must be worked for.

As someone with a disability, I was saddened by the way Nessarose’s story portrayed her wheelchair. While she gained the ability to levitate, the chair still felt like a prison rather than a tool for freedom. I had hoped Wicked would show her wheelchair as empowering – it was what allowed her to go to Shiz University, and that felt like a positive representation of independence.

If you’ve seen the musical Wicked, you might have noticed Nessarose is portrayed as less villainous than in the original story. This could be a deliberate choice, as it’s important to distinguish between a flawed villain who happens to have a disability, and a character whose disability causes their villainy. Historically, disabled characters have often been unfairly depicted as purely evil, which is a problematic trend.

However, it was somewhat disappointing that Wicked: For Good seemed to soften the true extent of the villain’s wickedness. The story implied that the more malicious and intense side of their sibling rivalry actually resided in the character who was initially seen as innocent because of their disability.

From the moment Marissa Bode was cast, I had high hopes for her portrayal of Nessarose, and she absolutely delivered. Though this was her first major on-screen role, it’s clear she has a bright future and we’ll be seeing a lot more of her.

Marissa Bode’s casting as Nessarose was a significant moment, but she truly shone by portraying a strong, smart, and determined character, even with limited screen time. She entered the entertainment industry with confidence and drive, and that memorable impression will undoubtedly be celebrated for years to come.

While Wicked: For Good will probably be best known for its huge success at the box office, it also deserves recognition for its inclusivity, thoughtful casting of a character with a disability, and strong message about the importance of representation. It was a truly groundbreaking moment, and these films have personally had a lasting impact on me.

For more on Wicked: For Good, check out:

Here’s a look at recent coverage of Wicked: For Good: a review of the film, information about who plays Dorothy, details on when and where you can stream it, how the movie addresses a key issue with the stage musical, five major differences from the original story, a guide to the best merchandise, and an explanation of the film’s unique take on the iconic ruby slippers.

Wicked: For Good is out now in cinemas.

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2025-11-28 13:21