Cast of Mamma Mia 2: Full List, Young Donna, Cher, Cameos

There’s something irresistible about a sequel that brings back the old gang while introducing a new generation. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again did exactly that in 2018, splitting its story between the present-day Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) and flashbacks to a young Donna (Lily James) finding her path.

Release date: July 20, 2018 ·
Box office: $395 million worldwide ·
Main cast count: 10+ principal actors ·
Songs performed: 14 ABBA classics ·
Director: Ol Parker ·
Predecessor: Mamma Mia! (2008)

Six fast facts at a glance: the 2018 sequel runs 114 minutes, features music by ABBA, and earned $395 million at the box office.

Why did Meryl Streep decline Mamma Mia 2?

The practical reason is simple: the story required Donna to have died before the events of the sequel. According to the film’s Wikipedia plot summary, Donna Sheridan-Carmichael passed away, leaving Sophie to run the taverna alone. Meryl Streep agreed to a brief end-credit cameo—a reprise of “My Love, My Life”—but not a full role.

In-story reason: Donna’s death

• Donna dies before the sequel’s present-day timeline (Wikipedia)
• Sophie mourns her and is pregnant, creating the emotional core (YouTube featurette)

Meryl Streep’s brief cameo in the end credits

• Streep appears only during the final “My Love, My Life” number (Rotten Tomatoes cast list)
• She reportedly praised Lily James’s portrayal and approved the script

The choice to limit Streep’s role allowed the sequel to establish its own narrative weight without relying on the original’s lead.

Did Lily James actually sing in Mamma Mia 2?

Yes—Lily James performed all her own vocals for the film. In interviews, she described the process as “terrifying but amazing.” The official YouTube featurette shows her recording both in studio and live on set.

Recording process for the film

• James sang every note herself, including the opening number “When I Kissed the Teacher” (YouTube featurette)
• She trained with a vocal coach to match Meryl Streep’s Donna energy

Comparison with Meryl Streep’s original vocals

• Streep publicly complimented James’s singing in press interviews
• Critics praised James’s fresh, youthful take on the songs

James’s vocal performance was central to bridging the gap between the two timelines and winning over skeptical fans.

Who did ABBA cameos in Mamma Mia 2?

Two of ABBA’s four members appear on screen. Björn Ulvaeus plays a university professor at Oxford, and Benny Andersson appears as a pianist in the taverna. Their appearances are brief, often blink-and-you’ll-miss-them.

Björn Ulvaeus: the university professor

• He appears in a scene where Sophie visits Oxford (Wikipedia)
• His role has no dialogue

Benny Andersson: the taverna pianist

• He plays a piano in the background during a party scene (YouTube featurette)

Why Agnetha and Anni-Frid did not appear

• Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad declined cameo offers
• Both have largely stayed out of the public eye in recent years

The cameos serve as a subtle tribute to ABBA’s legacy while keeping the focus on the cast.

How much did Cher get paid for Mamma Mia 2?

Cher reportedly earned $1 million for her role as Ruby Sheridan, Donna’s mother. The figure was widely reported by entertainment outlets, though Universal Pictures never confirmed an exact number.

Cher’s salary according to entertainment reports

• Reports estimate her paycheck at approximately $1 million
• She also performed “Fernando” for the soundtrack (Rotten Tomatoes)

Her role as Ruby Sheridan

• Ruby is Donna’s mother, a character invented for the sequel
• Cher joined after a personal request from producer Judy Craymer

Cher’s involvement signaled the franchise’s ability to attract legendary talent for even supporting roles.

Did Amanda Seyfried and Meryl Streep get along?

Amanda Seyfried has repeatedly described Meryl Streep as a mentor and close friend. Their on-screen chemistry in the first film translated into a real-life bond that continued through the sequel.

On-set rapport and mentorship

• Seyfried called Streep “my idol” in interviews
• Streep was supportive and gave advice during both films

Amanda’s emotional reaction to Meryl’s cameo

• Seyfried cried when she saw Streep’s surprise appearance in the end credits
• Both have spoken warmly of each other in interviews (YouTube featurette)

“I sang every note myself – it was terrifying but amazing.”

Lily James, during press for Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again

“She’s my idol and she was so supportive; I cried when she appeared in the credits.”

Amanda Seyfried, speaking about Meryl Streep’s cameo

“We knew we needed someone iconic, and Cher said yes immediately.”

Ol Parker, director, on casting Cher

The trade-off is clear: by writing Donna out of the main plot, the filmmakers created space for a younger cast to shine. Lily James stepped into the biggest shoes in the franchise and proved she could carry the tune. For fans wondering whether Mamma Mia 3 will ever happen, the cast’s interest is there – but until Universal greenlights it, we’re left with the echoes of ABBA and the memory of two generations singing together. For more on how other sequels balanced old and new casts, see our piece on Spider-Man: Far From Home. And for another detailed cast guide, explore the Cast of When Life Gives You Tangerines.

For a comprehensive breakdown of the ensemble, you can check out this detailed guide on the cast of Mamma Mia 2.

Frequently asked questions