Natalie Bassingthwaighte accused of stealing a lead role off young Aussie actresses

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Some theatre lovers have criticized Natalie Bassingthwaighte, suggesting she may have taken a role that could have gone to a rising Australian actress.

Natalie, age 50, will star in the Australian production of the hit Broadway musical, Waitress.

Natalie Bassingthwaite, known for her work with Rogue Traders, will play Jenna, a talented baker stuck in an abusive home. Casting descriptions often portray Jenna as a woman in her 20s or 30s. Rob Mills and John Waters are also part of the cast.

The announcement of the former Neighbours actor’s new role hasn’t been very well-received by theatre fans, with some believing a younger performer would have been a better fit.

TikTok creator Matinee Musings posted a video expressing doubts about Natalie being cast in the musical.

A social media user commented on the casting of Jenna in Waitress, suggesting that a younger, less famous actor would have been a better choice than Natalie Bassingthwaighte. They brought up concerns about ageism in the decision.

@matineemusings

I understand casting is subjective, but I disagree with the choices made for this production. It doesn’t seem to align with what the story needs, or even what the producers initially envisioned. There’s a reason roles like Annie are typically played by children – believability is important. While some shows, like My Neighbour Totoro and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, successfully use actors of different ages because they prioritize imagination and aren’t aiming for realism, Waitress feels different. It’s a story that relies on the audience connecting with a young woman at a specific point in her life, and age-appropriate casting helps with that. While an older actress could potentially play the role, I’m not convinced it’s the right fit. Honestly, I wouldn’t have been thrilled with a much younger actress either – it’s just my opinion. We’ll see how it plays out, though! #musicaltheatre #aussietheatre #waitressau

♬ original sound – matineemusings

He acknowledged that it’s often challenging for older actresses to get leading roles, but also pointed out that casting someone significantly older than the character was originally envisioned can alter the role itself.

Okay, so listen, when he talked about Les Mis – and honestly, everything he says is gold – he made this amazing point. He basically said, and I’m totally paraphrasing because I hang on his every word, that it just doesn’t work when you have someone who’s, like, fifty playing Marius or Cosette. It completely messes up the dynamic with Jean Valjean, you know? It just feels…wrong. Like, the whole father-figure thing doesn’t land the same way when the actors are all…aged differently. It’s a small thing, but it totally changes everything for me! It’s all about believability, and that age gap just ruins it.

As someone who follows trends and understands what resonates with audiences, I have to say, the age casting in ‘Waitress’ felt a little off. Seeing an actor who’s clearly in their 50s portray a character meant to be significantly younger just didn’t quite land for me. It’s important to consider how believable the portrayal is, and age can definitely play a role in that.

He explained that Jenna is at a stage in her life where she’s gained some experience, but hasn’t quite found her footing yet.

This contributes to her understanding that her life has taken an unexpected turn, but she still has the opportunity to make changes.

It’s similar to a coming-of-age story, though perhaps one happening later in life. While that’s possible, I believe it shifts the story’s overall message and emotional impact.

While he admitted the casting wasn’t terrible, he still felt a younger actress would have been a better fit for the role.

Honestly, I haven’t gotten a glimpse of it yet, but it could be good, you know? What’s bothering me, though, is the casting. It just doesn’t feel right for the story I was expecting. It’s not how I pictured it at all.

There’s plenty of skilled talent in Australia, and this role could have been a great opportunity for another deserving person.

The post sparked a lot of discussion among theater fans, and most people agreed with what it said.

One viewer expressed disappointment about Nat Bass being cast, saying it significantly dampened their enthusiasm for the show, as they were initially very excited about it.

Australian theatre feels so lacking in fresh ideas that it would be easier to just consistently cast Marina Prior in every role.

Someone else agreed, explaining it wasn’t about age discrimination, but about revitalizing roles. They asked why younger actors shouldn’t get chances to play characters that fit their age and qualities.

A third agreed, adding: ‘I HAVE seen it. Multiple times. This will not work. It is ridiculous.’

One person disagreed with the general reaction, suggesting everyone should hold off on forming an opinion until they’ve seen the finished product.

Honestly, it’s driving me crazy! People are questioning whether Natalie is good enough or if she’s too young for the role, but seriously? How can you judge before you’ve even seen her perform? It’s just… frustrating that they’re calling the casting a mistake before giving her a chance! I have so much faith in her, and it’s annoying to see everyone doubt her before the show even starts.

Jenna isn’t a character like Cosette or Marius, and her age isn’t mentioned. Also, the musical Waitress isn’t a story about young love; it’s about the complexities of life.

It’s not unusual for an actress to be cast who isn’t between 20 and 30, even though some people are criticizing this decision.

Jenna was originally played on stage by Jesse Mueller in 2016, when the actress was 33 years old.

Sara Bareilles, who wrote the music and lyrics for the show, also acted in the role of Jenna multiple times between 2017 and 2021, when she was between 37 and 41 years old.

When Jennifer Nettles took on the role in 2021, she was 47 years old – just three years older than Natalie.

Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Waitress for comment. 

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2026-02-17 08:06