Women Talking boasts a great cast to tell a powerful story. Written and directed by Sarah Polley, who adapted the film from the 2018 novel by Miriam Toews, Women Talking tells the devastating story of a group of women in the Mennonite community who have been drugged and raped over the course of several years by a group of men in their community.
Women Talking was first announced in late 2020 and filmed in 2021 before debuting at this year’s Telluride Film Festival. The film received a mostly positive critical reception, with specific praise given to the cast. Women Talking has a star-studded ensemble cast, including Frances McDormand, with each actress giving their all in a story that tackles difficult subject matter.
Rooney Mara as Ona
Ona is one of the members of the Mennonite community who was raped by several of the men, which resulted in a pregnancy. She is a calm woman who has a soft spot for August, her childhood friend. Ona is portrayed by Ronney Mara, who is best known for her roles in Carol, alongside Cate Blanchett, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Social Network, Side Effects, Pan, Her, and Ain’t Them Bodies Saints.
Claire Foy as Salome
Salome is a fierce woman of the Mennonite community who has suffered alongside her friends. Salome joins Ona and the others to decide what the best course of action is for the women moving forward. Salome is portrayed by Claire Foy, who is best known for her roles in Netflix’s The Crown, in which she played the younger Queen Elizabeth II, First Man, My Son, and the TV series Crossbones.
Jessie Buckley as Mariche
Mariche is a woman who was also sexually assaulted. She is a mother who is in an abusive marriage and who is incredibly angry about what happened to her and the other women in the community. Mariche is portrayed by Jessie Buckley, who is best known for her roles in Netflix’s The Lost Daughter, Alex Garland’s horror movie Men, I’m Thinking of Ending Things, the HBO series Chernobyl, Wild Rose, and Fargo, in which Buckley played Oraetta Mayflower.
Judith Ivey as Agata
Agata is an elder woman in the Mennonite community and, as a victim of the mass sexual assaults, is a member of the committee to decide on what to do in the aftermath. Agata is portrayed by Judith Ivey, who is best known for her roles in Flags of Our Fathers, the medical drama New Amsterdam, Designing Women, White Collar, and the TV series The Accidental Wolf.
Ben Whishaw as August Epp
August Epp is a schoolteacher whose family left the Mennonite community for several years before he returned. August is hopelessly in love with Ona and takes the women’s committee minutes as they deliberate. August is portrayed by Ben Whishaw, who is best known for Cloud Atlas, The Lobster, Mary Poppins Returns, the James Bond movies, in which he portrayed Q in films such as No Time to Die, the TV series Fargo, Suffragette, and for voicing the character Paddington in the gentle bear’s films of the same name.
Women Talking Supporting Cast & Character Guide
Frances McDormand as Scarface Janz – Scarface Janz is a member of the community who is opposed to the women leaving the Mennonite community. Frances McDormand is best known for her roles in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Almost Famous, the Wes Anderson film Moonrise Kingdom, The Tragedy of Macbeth, in which she played Lady Macbeth, North Country, the TV series State of Grace, and the romantic comedy Something’s Gotta Give.
Sheila McCarthy as Greta – Greta is also an elder who is a part of the women’s committee in deciding whether to leave. Sheila McCarthy is best known for her roles in Die Hard 2, The Day After Tomorrow, the Netflix series The Umbrella Academy, and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen.
Michelle McLeod as Mejal – Mejal is Greta’s niece and was also raped by the men in the Mennonite community and feels hurt that they lied to the women about it after they confronted them. Michelle McLeod is best known for her roles in Don’t Talk to Irene, My Spy, and Honeybee.
Kate Hallett as Autje – Autje is the daughter of Jessie Buckley’s character Mariche. Women Talking is Kate Hallett’s first feature acting role.
Liv McNeil as Nietje – Nietje is Salome’s niece. Women Talking is also Liv McNeil’s first feature film role.
Emily Mitchell as Miep – Miep is the daughter of Salome. Emily Mitchell is known for her role in the TV series What We Do in the Shadows.
Kira Guloien as Anna – Anna is a part of the assembled women who must make a choice. Kira Guloien is best known for Night Cries, the TV series Robyn Hood, and Murdoch Mysteries.
Shayla Brown as Helena – Helena is another member of the Mennonite community in Women Talking. Shayla Brown has been in the Apple TV+ series See.
August Winter as Melvin – Melvin is a trans member of the community who was also traumatized by the sexual assaults. August Winter is best known for their roles in the series Orphan Black: Echoes, Mary Kills People, and Between.
