Sophia Soto
One of the most important details when it comes to making a memorable and impactful movie is the casting. When it comes to Wicked: For Good, that could not be more accurate. Bernard Telsey and Tiffany Little Canfield had to choose who would take on the legendary roles of the witches of Oz, while also introducing Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) to a new generation, who might be unfamiliar with how the story ties into 1939’s The Wizard of Oz.
For their work, the two have been named to the 2026 Oscars Shortlist for this year’s inaugural Academy Award in the “Achievement in Casting” category, advancing to the final round of nomination voting. The multi-winning Artios Awards duo also worked on 2024’s Wicked, which was the most successful Broadway film adaptation of all time.
Telsey has an extensive history with the beloved property, casting the Broadway production since its inception, as well as all subsequent Broadway and touring casts over the last twenty years. He has received 10 Emmy Award nominations and the Independent Spirit Award’s “Robert Altman Award.”
As for Canfield, she won the Independent Spirit Award’s “Robert Altman Award” in 2012 for her work on Margin Call. Additionally, throughout her career, she has been nominated for eight Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Casting.
Read Awards Radar’s full interview with the casting directors below, where they open up about casting for the complete character arcs, what they focused on during the auditions, playing with improv, how the story changed them for the better, and much more.
Since the tones of Wicked and Wicked: For Good are so different, did you keep that in mind when it came to casting the lead actors? Is there someone you were most intrigued to see make that switch?
Bernard Telsey: Since we cast the films simultaneously, we knew we had to include audition material from both parts to see what the actors could bring to the full arc of the character. As an example, Glinda had the scene and song for “Popular,” but also the scene with Morrible and Fiyero into “Thank Goodness.” Since Wicked: For Good is essentially Act 2 of the musical, we were always considering the full range of each role.
Tiffany Little Canfield: I was very intrigued to see Boq make his emotional switch. Ethan is so adorable and likable, and his love for Glinda is so heartbreaking. I was really interested to see how it played out when he hits his limit and, ultimately, loses his heart.
When you have an established property like this one, how do you ensure that you are giving the audience something completely new while also matching what we already know and love about the characters? Which aspect do you focus more on?
Telsey: This was something we discussed constantly with Jon and Marc every time an actor really made an impact in the audition room. What felt like the Glinda and Elphaba we knew, and what aspects felt fresh? It’s always an intriguing discussion, because we would be learning the qualities about the characters that were most important to each of us, as we all had our own relationship to these characters and experiences with Wicked, the show. Since we have been casting Wicked on stage for almost 25 years, we have seen so many interpretations of Elphaba and Glinda. The film adaptation gives these roles an opportunity to show more of their journey from where they meet to where they part at the end. We get to see how each decision affects the next. Knowing this, during the auditions, we focused on Elphaba’s vulnerability in the early part of the story and Galinda’s emotional weight towards the end.
How did it feel to help introduce a younger generation to the story by picking who would forever be associated with these roles for newer fans?
Telsey: It felt like a lot of pressure and that we had to get it right! The legacy always loomed large in our minds as we considered our choices. We have lived with Wicked for 25 years and have wonderful feelings about all the different variations of the casts of Broadway, London, and various tours. Watching the fans react to the films, fans of all ages, has been the most gratifying part of this experience.
Canfield: Seeing the little tiny kids who are seeing it for the first time and learning the songs… I’ve probably watched a million videos of baby Elphabas and Glindas, it makes me very emotional.
Telsey: Hearing how folks of all ages have gone back to see the film again and again makes me hope that Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are going to be as iconic as Judy Garland is to The Wizard of Oz.
Chemistry is such an important aspect of bringing a dynamic, whether it’s a romantic relationship or friendship, to life. Which dynamic were you most excited to see the actors naturally play with in terms of improv and working off of each other?
Telsey: I was most excited when I watched the film to see and hear how much Cynthia and Ariana blended together through their acting and their singing. As actors and as characters, they truly were affected by each other. The most powerful thing I am aware of is how much they each listen to one another and how they live in the silences. That was something that stood out in their auditions and was so powerful.
Canfield: We did play with improv during the casting process, and the complete COMMITMENT to the Ozian language throughout always tickled me. There are so many special thrillifying Ozian words, and we were constantly impressed with the actors who were making us laugh with their imaginative language, but also fully committed to the reality of life in Oz. Since we knew the dialogue for the stage play so well, it was really fun to open up the auditions with improv, since we knew that there would be a bit more freedom in the film to play.
If you had to pick, what is one lyric or song you would use to describe yourself before working on the project vs after?
Telsey: “Thank Goodness / I Couldn’t Be Happier.”
How do you feel that this journey changed you for the better, and why do you think the themes of Wicked: For Good will forever be relevant?
Telsey: When I listen to “For Good” in the film, I truly see and feel how each of these characters changed the other. For me, it reminded me that my own point of view is not always the right way, and that if I stop and listen to my wife or one of my sons, I will learn something from them that actually may be better.
Why do you think we’re always so determined to fit people into a box in terms of good vs bad? What do you think is the most interesting way Wicked shows the truth and harm behind those labels?
Canfield: When Elphaba says, “They need someone to be wicked so that you can be good,” I think she’s talking about human nature. We are all so nuanced, and that’s what makes us human, but that also invites insecurity and a deep desire to KNOW that you are good, and the easiest way to unite with others is to find a really good enemy. The sad thing is that the very thing that makes us behave in this way is the thing that we share; we are all human, we contain multitudes, and nuance is really important. It should unite us in understanding, but sadly, we fall prey to the same mistakes as the characters in the play.
You can buy or rent Wicked: For Good at home now with exclusive bonus features.
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