Why Meryl Streep Didn’t Fully Return for Mamma Mia 2

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Meryl Streep consistently chooses roles that are meaningful, and that’s probably why she was drawn to the character of Donna Sheridan. Donna was a mother dealing with a difficult history who found solace and expression through singing ABBA songs. The complex bond with her daughter was central to the story, and Streep portrayed both sides of Donna’s life beautifully. However, Streep generally avoids sequels, and this preference played a role in her limited involvement with Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again.

After the first Mamma Mia! film became a huge hit, a sequel seemed inevitable. However, Meryl Streep and many of the original cast weren’t initially keen on returning. Director Ol Parker explained that while the studio was eager to capitalize on the first film’s success, getting everyone on board proved difficult. Despite these challenges, Mamma Mia! 2 was made, and a third film is now in development.

Why Is Meryl Streep Not in Mamma Mia! 2?

Meryl Streep wasn’t able to appear in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, but the writer, Richard Curtis, got the idea to continue the story through flashbacks from his daughter. This allowed them to introduce a younger version of Donna, played by Lily James (known for Pam & Tommy and Cinderella), and create a similar vibe to the first film.

The filmmakers decided to have Donna die between the first and second movies to allow for more flashbacks exploring her past without disrupting the current storyline. Curtis believed this approach created the most powerful and emotionally resonant narrative. Killing off Meryl Streep’s character also allowed a brief, impactful return as a ghost, including a couple of songs, without creating pressure for her to have a larger role in the sequel.

Fortunately, Meryl Streep liked the idea and decided to participate in Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, even if it was just a small part.

Meryl Streep Was Still Involved in Mamma Mia! 2

Although Meryl Streep didn’t have a major role in making Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, her decision to leave the series wasn’t because she wasn’t interested. According to Judy Craymer, the creator of the Mamma Mia! films, Streep simply felt it was time to let the younger cast members take the lead, and she didn’t want to commit to a large role.

After Meryl Streep agreed to participate in this fresh take on the story, the rest of the original cast also signed on. Streep was the star of the first Mamma Mia! movie in 2008, so the filmmakers knew a sequel had to be good enough to both honor the original and convince her to return – something they worked on for ten years.

This sparked the concept of telling a story that functioned as both a prequel and a sequel, all without significantly increasing the movie’s length.

Will Meryl Streep Return for Mamma Mia 3?

Meryl Streep, though she didn’t have a significant role in Here We Go Again!, has said she’d be open to returning as Donna in future Mamma Mia! films. In a 2023 interview with Vogue, the award-winning actress jokingly suggested ways her character, who died in the previous film, could reappear – even proposing a twin sister storyline! It seems Streep is becoming more willing to participate in sequels, with a new installment planned for release on May 1, 2026.

Based on Meryl Streep’s comments, it’s likely Donna will reappear in the third Mamma Mia! movie. This could happen through flashbacks, perhaps showing her as a new mother to Sophie. These scenes could parallel Sophie’s experiences as a first-time mom to her baby, born at the end of the last film.

Who Else Will Be Involved in Mamma Mia 3?

As of January 2026, a third Mamma Mia! movie is actively being developed. Producer Judy Craymer revealed in a People magazine interview that she’s certain it will happen. She also told Deadline in May 2025 that the script is finished, but filming hasn’t begun.

Stellan Skarsgård, who played Bill Anderson in the first Mamma Mia! film, hinted at a possible return for Meryl Streep’s character, Donna, in a third movie. According to People magazine, Skarsgård mentioned after the 2026 Golden Globe Awards that “a lot of people are working on it, to bring her back.”

Rumors suggest Sabrina Carpenter may be joining the cast of Mamma Mia! 3, potentially as a character resembling Meryl Streep, according to Deadline. Producer Judy Craymer has expressed enthusiasm for this idea. However, the film hasn’t been officially approved yet, so details about the plot or release date are currently unavailable.

What Is Meryl Streep Working On Now?

Meryl Streep is set to star in a number of future projects, including a return to her role in Only Murders in the Building. She played Loretta Durkin in Seasons 3 and 4 of the Hulu show, and will also be featured in Season 5.

Following her role in the 2023 TV series Extrapolations, which portrays a future devastated by climate change, Streep played Eve in the episode “2046: Whale Fall.” Her character emphasizes the need to address climate change now, rather than dwelling on past mistakes.

She’s currently working on a series based on the popular novel by Jonathan Franzen. In addition, she’ll appear with Sigourney Weaver in Useful Idiots, playing a journalist looking into a New York property deal. And, she’s also collaborating with Martin Short, her co-star from Only Murders in the Building, on a lighthearted project.

It’s often challenging to reunite a star-studded cast for another movie, especially for a franchise like Mamma Mia!. However, producer Judy Craymer is actively working to make it happen. Meryl Streep has expressed her willingness to return, which is great news for fans hoping to revisit the charming Greek island setting in a third film.

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2026-04-25 04:14