Summary
A black comedy-meets-mystery film,Wicked Little Letters' memorable cast of characters helps it stand out from films with similar genre mashups. Directed by Thea Sharrock (Me Before You) and penned by award-winning comedian Jonny Sweet,Wicked Little Lettersstars Olivia Colman as Edith Swan, a spinster who begins to receive nasty hate mailamid the growing 1920s suffragette movement in Britain. Scandalized by the letters, Edith’s father, Edward (Timothy Spall), suggests they contact the local constabulary for help. However, the Swans already have a prime suspect in mind: their foul-mouthed neighbor, Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley).
When Edith testifies that she and Rose are former friends, it’s revealed that Rose, a single mother, beat one of Edward’s party guests months prior. After the incident, child protective services rushed to Rose’s house to check in on her and her daughter, Nancy (Alisha Weir). Believing Edith called CPS, Rose ended their friendship. The whole ordeal certainly provides Rose with a motive to send Edith scathing letters, but, after noticing some handwriting inconsistencies,PC Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) isn’t convinced that Rose is involved. Undoubtedly,Olivia Colman’s under-the-radar dark comedyis bolstered by its stellar ensemble.
Olivia Colman As Edith Swan
Date Of Birth: August 20, 2025
Actor:One of Hollywood’s most beloved and celebrated contemporary actors, Olivia Colman had her first big moment on the British seriesBroadchurch, though she broke through thanks to her incredible performance inThe Favouriteas Queen Anne — a role that earned her an Oscar. Since then, the four-time BAFTA-winning, three-time Golden Globe-winning, and two-time Emmy-winning actor has gone on to appear in TV hits likeThe Crown,The Bear, and Marvel’sSecret Invasion, among many other projects.
Secret Invasion
Sonya Falsworth
Character:A spinster and devout Christian in Littlehampton, Edith Swan becomes the target of hate mail inWicked Little Letters— hence the film’s title. The development is rather distressing for her, which sends Edith on a mission to uncover the truth about her former friend Rose.
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Jessie Buckley As Rose Gooding
Date Of Birth: December 1989
Actor:The Laurence Olivier Award-winning actor has also received Oscar and BAFTA nominations for her outstanding performances. In 2020, the veteran stage actor had a breakout moment in Netflix’sI’m Thinking of Ending Things, leading to starring roles in Alex Garland’sMenand Sarah Polley’sWomen Talking.
Fargo
Oraetta Mayflower
Character:Buckley plays Rose, a single mother and Irish migrant who was once Edith’s friend. Now Edith’s neighbor, Rose is known for her penchant for foul language, which makes Edith think that Rose is the one behind the titularWicked Little Letters.
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Anjana Vasan As PC Gladys Moss
Date Of Birth: July 01, 2025
Actor:A Laurence Olivier Award-winning actor, Vasan rose to prominence in the US for her BAFTA-nominated starring turn inWe Are Lady Parts. Before then, she also appeared in the fourth and final season ofKilling Eveas an assassin named Pam and starred in a harrowing episode ofBlack Mirrorcalled “Demon 79.”
Spider-Man: Far From Home
Reporter
Character:InWicked Little Letters, Vasan plays police officer Gladys Moss, a keen detective with an eye for detail. After noticing a few key differences between Rose’s handwriting and the writing on the letters, she becomes skeptical, though her misogynistic superior forbids her from continuing the investigation. Of course, that doesn’t stop Gladys from pursuing the truth.
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Timothy Spall As Edward Swan
Date Of Birth: July 21, 2025
Actor:A prolific character actor on both stage and screen, Spall is known for collaborating with filmmaker Mike Leigh as well as for his award-winning role inMr. Turner. For many movie-goers, Spall’s most recognizable role is that of Peter Pettigrew in theHarry Pottermovies. The BAFTA nominee has also appeared inHamlet,The Last Samurai,Enchanted,Sweeney Todd,Alice in Wonderland,The King’s Speech, andSpencer, among many other film and TV projects.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
The Last Samurai
Simon Graham
Character:Timothy Spall plays Edith’s controlling father, Edward, who becomes obsessed with pinning the letters on Rose, who, previously, beat one of Edward’s guests at his birthday party. The ever-intense Edward seeks out the help of the constable and his team.
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Joanna Scanlan As Ann
Date Of Birth: August 25, 2025
Actor:Nominated three times at the BAFTAs for her work on Getting On, Scanlan is a huge name in British television. In terms of Hollywood roles, the actor has appeared in many big-name films, includingGirl With a Pearl Earring,Notes on a Scandal,The Invisible Woman, andBridget Jones’s Baby. In 2020, Scanlan won a BAFTA for her starring role inAfter Love.
Notes on a Scandal
After Love
Mary
Character:One of Edith’s remaining friends, Ann is very sympathetic to PC Gladys' investigation and offers to help her uncover the truth about what’s really going on with the letters.
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Gemma Jones As Victoria Swan
Date Of Birth: August 09, 2025
Actor:The BAFTA Award-winning Gemma Jones got her start on the stage, but rose to prominence on the screen after she appeared in the Academy Award-winning period dramaSense and Sensibilityalongside Kate Winslet, Emma Thompson, and Alan Rickman. A mainstay in theHarry Potterseries and areturning actor in theBridget Jonesmovies, Jones has also appeared inAmmonite,Gentleman Jack,Rocketman, andThe Crown.
Sense and Sensibility
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
Gentleman Jack
Aunt Anne Lister
Character:InWicked Little Letters, Gemma Jones plays Edith’s much gentler and innocent mother, Victoria, who finds the foul language in the letters to be quite shocking and distressing for her family.
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Wicked Little Letters Ensemble
Other Key Characters In The Black Comedy-Meets-Mystery Film
Malachi Kirby as Bill:Best known for appearing in theBlack Mirrorepisode “Men Against Fire” as well as his BAFTA-winning performance inSmall Axe: Mangrove.
Lolly Adefope as Kate:Adefope’s most recognizable projects include Hulu’s comedy seriesShrilland the BBC comedyGhosts.
Eileen Atkins as Mabel:This three-time Oliver Award-winning actor also nabbed an Emmy and a BAFTA for her performance inCranford.
Hugh Skinner as Constable Papperwick:In addition to starring in sitcoms likeThe Windsors, Skinner has appeared in musical movies likeLes MisérablesandMamma Mia! Here We Go Again.
Paul Chahidi as Chief Constable Spedding:This Tony and Olivier award nominated actor has also appeared inGood OmensandThe Serpent Queen.
Alisha Weir as Nancy Gooding:The 14-year-old actor is best known for her roles as the title characters in the filmsMatilda the Musical(2022) andAbigail(2024).
Jason Watkins as Mr. Treading:After winning a BAFTA for his leading role inThe Lost Honour of Christopher Jefferies, Watkins appeared in Netflix’sThe Crown.
Richard Goulding as Mr. Scales:Although he’s most well-known for his stage roles, Goulding also appeared in films likeThe Iron Ladyand TV shows likeThe Crown.
Tim Key as Father Ambrose:A comedian, poet, and actor, Key has appeared in projects likeThe End of the F***ing WorldandDrunk History: UK.
Jonny Sweet as Daily Mail Reporter:An award-winning comedian, Sweet also has a writing credit onWicked Little Letters.
Krishni Patel as Winnie Moss:Newcomer Patel’s first feature-film role is Winnie Moss inWicked Little Letters.
Antony Somers as CPS Man:Somers has appeared in projects likeKrypton,Bodies, andThe Nevers.
Wicked Little Lettersis now streaming on Netflix.
Wicked Little Letters
Based on a stranger than fiction true story,Wicked Little Lettersfollows two neighbours: deeply conservative local Edith Swan (Olivia Colman) and rowdy Irish migrant Rose Gooding (Jessie Buckley). When Edith and fellow residents begin to receive wicked letters full of unintentionally hilarious profanities, foul-mouthed Rose is charged with the crime. The anonymous letters prompt a national uproar, and a trial ensues. However, as the town’s women - led by Police Officer Gladys Moss (Anjana Vasan) - begin to investigate the crime themselves, they suspect that something is amiss, and Rose may not be the culprit after all.
