The 25th anniversary of The Princess Diaries has renewed interest in the film’s cast, with a retrospective examining how the careers of Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews, Mandy Moore, and other original stars have developed since the movie’s release in 2001.
Key Takeaways
- The Princess Diaries marks its 25th anniversary.
- The retrospective revisits the careers of the original cast.
- Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews remain closely associated with the film.
- Several cast members built successful careers in film, television, music, and voice acting.
- Interest in the franchise continues ahead of a planned third film.
The Princess Diaries cast 25 years later has returned to public attention as fans mark a quarter century since Disney released the coming-of-age comedy that introduced Mia Thermopolis to audiences worldwide.
Released in 2001 and directed by Garry Marshall, The Princess Diaries starred Anne Hathaway in her feature film debut as Mia, an American teenager who discovers she is the heir to the fictional European kingdom of Genovia. Julie Andrews portrayed Queen Clarisse Renaldi, Mia’s grandmother and mentor, guiding her through royal etiquette while helping her prepare for an unexpected future.
The film, adapted from Meg Cabot’s novel of the same name, became a commercial success and established Hathaway as a rising Hollywood actor. Its popularity led to the 2004 sequel, The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.
Twenty-five years after the first film’s release, the anniversary has prompted renewed discussion of the performers who helped make the family comedy a lasting favorite. Several cast members continued successful careers across film, television, music and directing, while others pursued work behind the camera or in different creative fields.
Interest in the franchise also remains active following confirmation that Disney is developing a third installment, keeping the original film relevant to longtime fans and introducing it to newer audiences through streaming platforms.
Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews Remain Central to the Franchise
Anne Hathaway built one of Hollywood’s most recognizable careers after making her screen debut in The Princess Diaries. Following the film, she appeared in Ella Enchanted, The Devil Wears Prada, Brokeback Mountain, Rachel Getting Married, Les Misérables, Interstellar, Ocean’s 8, The Idea of You and several other major productions.
Her performance in Les Misérables earned the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, along with BAFTA, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards. Hathaway has remained active in dramatic roles, comedies and family films while continuing to be closely associated with Mia Thermopolis. She also expanded into music with recent projects, including the release covered in Anne Hathaway drops pop single.Â
Julie Andrews was already an acclaimed performer before joining The Princess Diaries, having built an internationally recognized career through films including Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music. Her portrayal of Queen Clarisse introduced her to a new generation of viewers.
Following the two Princess Diaries films, Andrews continued acting in film and television while expanding her voice work. She narrated the Netflix period drama Bridgerton as the voice of Lady Whistledown and appeared in projects including Aquaman and Minions: The Rise of Gru. She has also remained active as an author of children’s books.
Disney confirmed that a third Princess Diaries film is in development. Hathaway has publicly expressed enthusiasm about returning if the project proceeds under the right circumstances, while Andrews has stated that she supports the continuation of the franchise even though she has indicated she may not return because of production timing following the death of director Garry Marshall.
Supporting Cast Members Expanded Their Entertainment Careers
Mandy Moore’s Acting and Music Career
Mandy Moore portrayed Lana Thomas, the popular student who frequently clashed with Mia during the first film. Already an established recording artist at the time, Moore continued balancing music and acting throughout her career.
Her acting credits expanded with roles in films such as A Walk to Remember, Saved! and License to Wed. She later became widely recognized for portraying Rebecca Pearson in NBC’s This Is Us, earning Golden Globe and Emmy nominations.
Moore also established a long-running voice acting role as Rapunzel in Disney’s Tangled franchise while continuing to release music.
Heather Matarazzo, who played Mia’s loyal best friend Lilly Moscovitz, remained active in independent films and television following both Princess Diaries movies. Her credits include appearances in Scream 3, The L Word, Grey’s Anatomy and several independent productions.
Erik von Detten portrayed Josh Bryant, Mia’s school crush. After appearing in several Disney productions and television series, he stepped away from acting and pursued work outside the entertainment industry.
Robert Schwartzman, who played Mia’s supportive friend Michael Moscovitz, gradually shifted his professional focus beyond acting while remaining involved in creative projects.
Sandra Oh’s Television Success
Sandra Oh appeared as Vice Principal Gupta before becoming one of television’s most acclaimed dramatic performers. She achieved international recognition through her role as Dr. Cristina Yang on Grey’s Anatomy, earning multiple Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe Award.
Oh later starred in BBC America’s Killing Eve, receiving widespread critical recognition for her portrayal of Eve Polastri. She has also continued voice acting work in animated films, including Pixar’s Turning Red.
Patrick John Flueger, who portrayed Jeremiah Hart, continued working steadily in television after The Princess Diaries. He later joined NBC’s long-running drama Chicago P.D., where he has portrayed Officer Adam Ruzek for multiple seasons.
Caroline Goodall, who portrayed Helen Thermopolis, continued appearing in film and television productions, while Héctor Elizondo, who played Joe, remained a familiar presence in film and television after reuniting with director Garry Marshall on multiple projects.
Television, Music and Voice Acting Shaped Post-Film Careers
Robert Schwartzman’s Shift to Music and Directing
Robert Schwartzman balanced acting with a successful music career as the lead vocalist of the rock band Rooney. He later expanded into directing and producing independent films, including Dreamland and The Unicorn.
His career demonstrates how several members of the Princess Diaries cast pursued creative opportunities beyond acting while remaining active in entertainment.
Sean O’Bryan, who portrayed Patrick O’Connell, continued appearing in numerous television series, while Kathleen Marshall, who played Charlotte Kutaway, remained active in stage choreography and directing following her appearance in the franchise.
Anne Hathaway and Mandy Moore also expanded into voice acting alongside their live-action careers. Hathaway voiced Jewel in the animated Rio films, while Moore’s portrayal of Rapunzel became one of Disney Animation’s signature modern characters through films, television series and short features.
Julie Andrews likewise remained in demand as a narrator and voice performer after reducing her on-screen appearances. Her distinctive voice has featured in several animated productions while she has continued writing books and participating in documentary projects.
The variety of careers pursued by the cast illustrates how the ensemble extended its influence across multiple areas of entertainment rather than remaining identified solely with one film franchise.
Franchise Legacy Continues Ahead of the Next Installment
Disney’s confirmation that a third Princess Diaries film is in development has renewed interest in the original cast and the possibility of returning characters. Development has continued with new creative leadership, although casting announcements have remained limited.
Anne Hathaway has publicly stated that she would like any continuation to respect the legacy established by Garry Marshall and reunite key members of the original creative team where possible. Disney has not announced a release date for the project. Hathaway is also set to appear in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming film, which has generated The Odyssey first reactions ahead of its release.Â
The first two films continue attracting audiences through television broadcasts and streaming services, introducing new viewers to Mia Thermopolis while maintaining the franchise’s popularity among longtime fans.
The Princess Diaries anniversary has also encouraged renewed appreciation for the ensemble cast, many of whom established distinguished careers after appearing in the Disney comedy. Their work across film, television, music and voice acting has kept the performers visible long after the original release.
With development continuing on a third installment, the original cast remains closely connected to one of Disney’s most recognizable family film franchises, even as their individual careers have expanded in different directions across the entertainment industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who starred in The Princess Diaries?
The film starred Anne Hathaway as Mia Thermopolis and Julie Andrews as Queen Clarisse Renaldi. The principal cast also included Héctor Elizondo, Heather Matarazzo, Mandy Moore, Robert Schwartzman, Sandra Oh, Caroline Goodall, Erik von Detten and Patrick John Flueger.
What happened to the Princess Diaries cast after the first film?
Many cast members continued successful careers in entertainment. Anne Hathaway became an Academy Award-winning actor, Julie Andrews remained active in film and voice acting, Mandy Moore balanced acting with music, Sandra Oh became a leading television actor, and several supporting cast members continued working across film and television.
Which cast members returned for The Princess Diaries 2?
Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews, Héctor Elizondo, Heather Matarazzo, Caroline Goodall and several other principal cast members returned for The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, released in 2004.
Is a third Princess Diaries movie in development?
Yes. Disney has confirmed that a third Princess Diaries film is in development. No official release date or complete cast lineup has been announced.
Which cast members are still acting today?
Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews, Sandra Oh, Mandy Moore, Heather Matarazzo, Héctor Elizondo, Caroline Goodall and Patrick John Flueger continue to work in film, television or voice acting.
