Nearly a year after the first Wicked film flew into theaters, the highly anticipated second chapter, Wicked: For Good, has arrived. Led by Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the sequel brings the Tony-winning Broadway phenomenon back to the big screen while deepening its ties to The Wizard of Oz lore.
Like the stage musical, Wicked: For Good explores the beginnings of Oz’s Scarecrow (Jonathan Bailey) and Tin Man (Ethan Slater). This time, though, Dorothy Gale steps further into the spotlight than she ever did on Broadway. There’s one twist: despite her expanded presence, Dorothy’s face never appears on screen.
That creative decision was intentional, according to director Jon M. Chu. Speaking to People in October 2025, Chu explained, "I didn't want to step on who you think Dorothy is in whatever story that you came into this with," emphasizing that the narrative remains centered on its iconic witches. "Ultimately, the story is still Elphaba and Glinda's journey, and she is a pawn in the middle of all of it."
Wicked: For Good Keeps Dorothy Offscreen — By Design
Wicked: For Good expands the world fans know while honoring the point of view that made the property a phenomenon: Elphaba and Glinda’s intertwined fates. By keeping Dorothy’s face obscured, the film preserves the audience’s personal connection to the character — the version they grew up with, imagined, or discovered through various Oz adaptations.
It’s a choice that fits the Wicked ethos. The franchise has always reframed Oz from a fresh angle, revealing how the events we think we know were perceived by others on the ground. In the sequel, Dorothy’s arrival still sets major events into motion, but she remains a catalyst rather than the protagonist, allowing the film to keep its focus squarely on Elphaba and Glinda even as it threads key Oz mythology into their story.
While the camera never shows Dorothy’s face, the film’s end credits do solve one mystery: who plays her. The role belongs to Bethany Weaver, whose name appears in the credits, officially identifying the actor behind the offscreen performance.
Who Is Bethany Weaver, Wicked 2's Dorothy?
Weaver is a UK-based actor, dancer, and choreographer based in Surrey in South East England, according to her WhatsOnStage biography. She was born on November 21, 1995, and has a twin sister, details she has shared on her social media.
Before stepping into Dorothy’s ruby slippers for Wicked: For Good, Weaver built a résumé across London theater. She choreographed the West End musical Asmahan at the Peacock Theatre and has performed in the ensembles of Rumi the Musical and Broken Wings the Musical, the latter in 2018. Her background across performance and choreography gives her a versatile skill set that translates well to the demands of screen musicals.
Weaver has been candid about setting major career goals this year. In June, she wrote on Instagram: "First dance solo, Third West End Show, First time choreographing a show. This is the year of big goals, big blessings and big changes for the better." That momentum carried her all the way to Oz.
From Manifesting To Oz: Weaver's Path To The Role
Weaver’s Wicked journey effectively began long before cameras rolled. In March 2022, she posted a video of herself singing "The Wizard and I" on Instagram — a signature Elphaba number — with a cheeky caption: "aggressively manifesting that one day I will be in Wicked!" Two years later, she can officially say she is.
Following the film’s release, Weaver reflected on the experience with a heartfelt message to fans and colleagues. "This has been a life changing experience, it’s changed me in so many ways and most importantly, for good," she wrote. "It’s been an honour to carry the legacy of the brilliant women before me who have stepped into these shoes, and embarked on the yellow brick road. I hope I have made them proud."
She continued by thanking the community that cheered her on: "Thank you for the sheer volume of love, kind messages and support from all of my friends and family and the glorious wicked fans, I love you all so much! Lots of love, your friend, Dorothy."
Though Dorothy doesn’t wield magic in Wicked: For Good, Weaver’s story reads like a bit of real-world magic — a blend of preparation, opportunity, and a clear vision for where she wanted to go. Her offscreen portrayal preserves Dorothy’s universality while giving longtime Wicked devotees a new piece of Oz to savor.
With Erivo and Grande anchoring the emotional core, and with Jonathan Bailey and Ethan Slater adding texture to the Scarecrow and Tin Man origins, Wicked: For Good balances fan-service with fidelity to its central friendship. Dorothy’s intentionally faceless presence becomes a smart storytelling solution — keeping the audience’s imagination front and center and reminding viewers whose tale this really is.
For Weaver, it’s a breakout moment that dovetails with Wicked’s enduring theme: identity forged by choices, not circumstances. The result is a sequel that honors its roots, reshapes a legend, and, fittingly, lets Dorothy remain everyone’s Dorothy — even as a new performer follows the yellow brick road to make the role her own.
