Ca t of The Little Mermaid (2023 Film): Full Li t, Role & In ight

Disney’s choice of Halle Bailey for the lead in its 2023 live-action The Little Mermaid stirred up massive conversation. Here’s a full look at the cast, what they brought to the screen, and the stories behind the choices.

Lead actor (Ariel): Halle Bailey ·
Release year: 2023 ·
Director: Rob Marshall ·
Worldwide box office: Over $569 million ·
Cast size (main roles): 8 credited leads

The film’s production details are summarized below.

Who is in the cast of The Little Mermaid (2023 film)?

Lead cast and characters

• Halle Bailey as Ariel — the mermaid princess who dreams of life on land (Wikipedia)
• Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric — the human prince Ariel falls in love with (Wikipedia)
• Melissa McCarthy as Ursula — the sea witch (Wikipedia)
• Javier Bardem as King Triton — Ariel’s father (Wikipedia)
• Noma Dumezweni as Queen Selina — a new character, Eric’s mother (Wikipedia)

Supporting and voice cast

• Daveed Diggs voices Sebastian the crab (Wikipedia)
• Awkwafina voices Scuttle — reimagined as a female northern gannet (Wikipedia)
• Jacob Tremblay voices Flounder (Wikipedia)
• Art Malik as Grimsby — Eric’s loyal servant (Wikipedia)
• Martina Laird as Lashana — based on Carlotta from the animated film (Wikipedia)

The mix of singers like Bailey and Diggs with comedic performers like McCarthy and Awkwafina created a tonal blend that the 1989 film couldn’t attempt. The cast’s range—from Broadway-trained voices to seasoned character actors—gave the remake a distinct theatrical energy.

Was The Little Mermaid 2023 a hit or flop?

Box office performance

• Grossed over $569 million worldwide (Wikipedia)
• Budget reported at $250 million before marketing (Wikipedia)

Critical reception

• The Los Angeles Times reported mixed critical reviews and strong audience scores on some platforms (Los Angeles Times)

The implication: The film was commercially successful, but critical reception split along generational lines—older audiences nostalgic for the original versus new viewers won over by the fresh cast.

Did Melissa McCarthy really sing as Ursula in The Little Mermaid?

Vocal performance by Melissa McCarthy

• Melissa McCarthy performed her own singing as Ursula (Los Angeles Times)
• Co-stars recalled hearing Halle Bailey sing during rehearsals, indicating live musical performances were the norm on set (Los Angeles Times)

Comparison to original Ursula interpretation

• The 2023 film includes the signature song “Poor Unfortunate Souls” performed live by McCarthy (Wikipedia)

What this means: McCarthy’s decision to sing live rather than lip-sync to a studio track added a raw, theatrical quality that many critics praised as one of the film’s strongest performances.

Why did Disney cast a Black Ariel?

Casting decision rationale

• Halle Bailey was chosen for her vocal and acting talent (Los Angeles Times)
• Disney aimed for broader representation in its live-action remakes (Los Angeles Times)
• The casting was widely discussed as a diversity and representation milestone (Wikipedia)

Representation and diversity

• The cast includes a racially diverse ensemble with Black, Asian, Latina, and other performers (Los Angeles Times)
• Positive reactions from fans who appreciated seeing a Black Ariel were matched by negative reactions from some who preferred the original appearance (Wikipedia)

The pattern: The casting of Bailey was never just about skin color—it opened a debate about whether a beloved cartoon character can be reimagined without losing what made it special.

Is Ursula LGBTQ?

Character design and queer-coding

• Ursula’s design was inspired by the drag queen Divine (Wikipedia)
• Queer-coding is a recognized concept in film analysis (Wikipedia)

Official Disney stance

• Disney has not officially labeled Ursula as LGBTQ; the character’s sexuality is not addressed in the film (Los Angeles Times)

The catch: The queer-coding of Ursula remains a topic of academic and fan discussion, but the studio has never confirmed an intentional reading—leaving the interpretation open to each viewer.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Bailey’s co-stars were moved by her vocal performances during rehearsals, with McCarthy noting that Bailey’s voice “filled the room.”

— Los Angeles Times coverage, Los Angeles Times article

Director Rob Marshall told journalists that the casting of Bailey was “the only choice” for Ariel, citing her ability to bring both vulnerability and power to the role.

— Los Angeles Times coverage, Los Angeles Times article

For Disney, the success of The Little Mermaid 2023 proves that live-action remakes can still draw audiences—but the casting decisions will continue to shape how the studio approaches legacy properties. The film’s box office performance suggests that diversity can be a strength, but the lingering debates show that not every fan is ready to let go of the original. For Disney’s live-action pipeline, the choice is clear: either embrace representation fully or risk alienating a new generation of viewers. For Halle Bailey, the role elevated her career and sparked a global conversation about representation.

For a comprehensive look at each character and performer, check out the full cast of the Little Mermaid breakdown from a dedicated fan site.

Frequently asked questions