Amanda Seyfried Cast as Cinderella in Netflix's Upcoming Animated Film ‘Steps’
Netflix is putting a fresh spin on one of the most beloved fairy tales of all time — and Amanda Seyfried is stepping into the glass slipper.
The streaming giant announced on April 9 that Seyfried has been cast as Cinderella in Steps, an upcoming animated feature film that reimagines the classic story through the eyes of the oft-maligned stepsisters.
The project boasts a star-studded voice cast, an acclaimed creative team and a premise that flips the traditional narrative on its head, promising audiences a tale where even so-called villains deserve a happily ever after.
Seyfried brings serious star power and range to the role. She most recently starred in The Housemaid (2025) and The Testament of Ann Lee (2025).
She’s best known for Mean Girls (2004), Mamma Mia! (2008) and Les Misérables (2012). She won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout (2022).
Not the Cinderella Fairy Tale You Remember
Rather than retelling Cinderella’s journey to the ball, Steps centers on Cinderella’s so-called “evil” stepsisters, Lilith and Margot.
In the film, misunderstood Lilith is blamed for hijacking the Royal Ball with a stolen magic wand. Things spiral further when Lilith accidentally turns her sister Margot into a frog, and the kingdom is left in the hands of a “prince-obsessed mean girl.”
To set things right, Lilith must team up with Cinderella — and a “surprisingly dreamy troll” — to save the kingdom, repair the fractured fairy tale and prove that even so-called villains deserve a happily ever after.
Joining Seyfried in the voice cast are Ali Wong as Lilith and Stephanie Hsu as Margot, Cinderella’s two stepsisters.
The film is directed by Alyce Tzue, a Student Academy Awards gold medal winner, and John Ripa, known for Raya and the Last Dragon.
Amy Poehler, Jane Hartwell and Kim Lessing are producing.
Directors Praise Amanda Seyfried’s Performance
Both directors spoke highly of what Seyfried brings to the iconic role.
“Amanda has this incredible ability to make her characters specific and relatable, and we absolutely needed that when taking on a character that’s as legendary as Cinderella,” Tzue told Netflix.
“We wanted to create a modern heroine complete with flaws and coping mechanisms, and Amanda immediately understood the task. Her portrayal of Cinderella is hilarious and heartbreaking and, most importantly, refreshingly human,” Tzue added.
Ripa echoed the praise, highlighting Seyfried’s craft and dedication.
“Amanda has been an absolute joy to work with,” said Ripa. “She brings a level of experience and passion that inspires us to dig even deeper into the character.”
“Her process of honing in on emotions, the control she has over her voice — it all comes together to give Cinderella a depth and humor we could’ve never imagined,” he added.
Cinderella’s Stepsisters Have Different Names
The names Lilith and Margot mark a departure from previous versions of the Cinderella story.
In Disney’s original 1950 animated film, Cinderella’s stepmother is named Lady Tremaine and her stepsisters are named Anastasia and Drizella. The stepmother and stepsisters’ names were the same in Disney’s live-action remake in 2015.
Other versions of the story have used different names for the stepsisters, including Clorinda and Tisbe in Gioachino Rossini’s 1817 opera La Cenerentola and Berdena and Serafina in the 1955 film The Glass Slipper.
With a creative team that includes a celebrated producer in Poehler and award-winning directors in Tzue and Ripa, Steps is shaping up to be a fairy tale reimagining worth watching for.
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
