Marissa Bode, the groundbreaking disabled actor portraying Nessarose Thropp in the cinematic adaptation of Wicked and its upcoming sequel Wicked: For Good, is using her platform to demand substantial improvements in how the entertainment industry represents disabled performers.
Speaking at the European premiere of Wicked: For Good in London, Bode emphasised the critical need to end the practice known as 'cripping up'—where non-disabled actors are cast in disabled character roles. She hopes her own historic casting will set a new standard for authenticity.
Breaking Barriers and Facing Backlash
Bode's casting marks a significant milestone, as she is the first disabled actor to play Nessarose, a key character who uses a wheelchair. Prior to her, only non-disabled actors had portrayed the role since the stage musical's 2003 debut. She is urging casting directors to follow the example set by Wicked director Jon M. Chu by not only casting disabled actors in disabled roles but also in parts where a character's physical ability is not central to the story.
This push for change is backed by sobering statistics. A recent study from the Rudderman Family Foundation revealed that a mere 21% of disabled characters on US television from 2016 to 2023 were portrayed by actors with disabilities.
Despite a positive on-set experience, facilitated by the presence of a disability coordinator, Bode faced a wave of online abuse following the first film's release in November 2024. She addressed the hate directly on TikTok, stating that while criticising the fictional character is acceptable, 'aggressive comments and jokes about Nessa’s disability itself is deeply uncomfortable because disability is not fictional.'
Humanising a Character and an Industry
Bode points to a key change in the film's narrative as a sign of progress. In the original stage production, a magical spell allows Nessarose to walk, a plot point criticised for promoting an 'ableist' narrative. In the film sequel, the magic instead lets her float, connecting to a feeling of love and longing for independence.
'I feel Nessa comes off maybe a little bit more one-dimensional in the stage version,' Bode noted. 'That [change] is something I really appreciate... I think it just adds so much more humanisation to Nessa.'
Her advocacy and talent were recognised earlier this month when she received the Christopher Reeve acting award at the 2025 Media Access awards. Yet, she acknowledges that unawareness about disability remains pervasive in the industry. Bode encourages people to seek out education from disabled content creators and stresses the importance of disabled people telling their own stories.
'It’s important that we tell our own stories,' Bode asserts, calling for producers to hire disabled actors, writers, and crew. 'There’s a great community out there.'
