‘It’s important that we tell our own stories’: how the Wicked movies are helping disability representation on screen

Marissa Bode's casting as Nessarose in the Wicked film franchise marks a significant step towards improved disability representation in Hollywood. As highlighted by the casting director of Wicked: For Good, Bode is seen as a 'real find,' emphasizing the importance of authentic representation. The Ruderman Family Foundation's findings reveal that only 21% of disabled characters on US television from 2016 to 2023 were portrayed by disabled actors, underscoring the need for change. Bode's role not only challenges this trend but also aims to inspire future casting decisions that prioritize authentic representation.