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Alisha Weir: A Rising Star in Modern Cinema
Who Is Alisha Weir? A Brief Overview
Alisha Weir is an Irish actress and singer born on 26 September 2009 in Dublin, Ireland. She is best known for her leading roles in Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (2022) and Abigail (2024), two films that could not be more different in tone, genre, or audience — yet both showcased her extraordinary range as a performer.
At just sixteen years old (as of 2026), Weir has already built a filmography that many actors twice her age would envy. She has worked with directors like Matthew Warchus, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, and Tyler Gillett, and acted alongside some of the most respected names in the industry. Her ability to move seamlessly between musical fantasy, period comedy, horror, and stage drama has marked her as a rare talent — one who is not merely a “child actor” but a genuine performer with the craft and discipline of a seasoned professional.
In April 2024, Weir was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list in the Entertainment category, making her the second-youngest honouree in the list’s history. This recognition, alongside multiple award nominations, signals that her influence in the industry is only just beginning.
Early Life and Theatrical Beginnings in Dublin
Growing Up in Knocklyon
Alisha Weir was born and raised in Knocklyon, a suburb in South Dublin. She grew up as the youngest of three sisters, with both older siblings involved in drama classes. It was through their influence that Weir first discovered her passion for performing. She attended Our Lady’s School and, despite her burgeoning career, has remained grounded in her Dublin roots. She even sat her Junior Certificate exams in 2025, balancing academic life with demanding film schedules.
First Steps on Stage
Weir’s professional journey began not in front of a camera, but under stage lights. In 2017, at the age of seven, she made her theatrical debut as Ivanka in the musical Once at Dublin’s Olympia Theatre. This was followed by roles in Annie (as Molly), The Wizard of Oz (as a Munchkin), and Oliver! (in the chorus) — all performed at Dublin’s National Concert Hall. These early experiences gave her a foundation in live performance, discipline, and the ability to command an audience’s attention.
Her vocal talent also drew national attention when she appeared on Ireland’s The Late Late Toy Show, performing a powerful rendition of Justin Timberlake’s cover of “True Colors.” This appearance introduced her to a wider Irish audience and hinted at the star power that would soon follow.
Transition to Screen
Weir made her feature film debut in 2018 in the Irish psychological thriller Don’t Leave Home, directed by Mark Jenkin. She played Siobhan Callahan, a supporting role that marked her entry into professional screen acting. In 2019, she appeared in the RTÉ crime drama mini-series Darklands as Laura, further building her screen experience.
These early roles, while modest, were crucial in preparing her for the demands of leading a major international production. By the time she auditioned for Matilda the Musical, she had already spent years honing her craft across theatre, film, and television.
Breakthrough Role: Matilda the Musical (2022)
The Global Search for Matilda
The casting process for Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical was exhaustive. Thousands of young actresses from around the world submitted auditions for the title role. At eleven years old, Alisha Weir secured her place through a self-tape that included a recitation of a poem and a performance of “Quiet” — one of the musical’s most emotionally demanding songs. Her drama coach had recommended she apply, and the production team immediately recognised something special in her submission.
Filming and Production
Filming took place across multiple UK locations in 2021, including Shepperton Studios in Surrey, Bramshill House in Hampshire, and various sites in Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, and Sussex. Weir was eleven to twelve years old during production, balancing the demands of a starring musical role with homeschooling on set. The film premiered in select cinemas in November 2022 before streaming globally on Netflix on Christmas Day.
Critical Acclaim
Weir’s performance as Matilda Wormwood — the brilliant, telekinetic child who stands up to tyrannical adults — was universally praised. Critics highlighted her emotional depth, vocal prowess, and the commanding presence she brought to elaborate musical numbers like “Naughty” and “When I Grow Up.”
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The Irish Times described her as a “compelling, spirited heroine,” noting the poignant chemistry she shared with Lashana Lynch as Miss Honey.
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The Guardian praised her as “very assured” in the title role, emphasising how she anchored the ensemble amid complex choreography and production design.
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The Irish Examiner stated that the young Dubliner “steals the show” with her portrayal of the bookish, telekinetic protagonist.
The film itself was a commercial and critical success, earning a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. For Weir, it was a transformative moment — transitioning her from regional Irish productions to international stardom and opening doors to Hollywood opportunities.
Expanding Her Range: Wicked Little Letters and Beyond
A Supporting Role in Period Comedy
In 2024, Weir appeared in Wicked Little Letters, a black comedy-drama directed by Thea Sharrock. The film, based on a real 1920s scandal involving anonymous obscene letters in a tight-knit English community, starred Olivia Colman and Jessie Buckley. Weir played Nancy Gooding, the inquisitive daughter of a conservative family, adding layers to the familial tensions at the story’s heart.
Filmed primarily in Belfast, Northern Ireland, this role allowed Weir to work within an ensemble of acclaimed British actors and further demonstrated her versatility in dramatic, non-musical roles. The film received an 80% critics’ score and 92% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, proving that Weir could hold her own in prestigious company without relying on the musical theatre background that had defined her early career.
Abigail (2024): A Career-Defining Horror Performance
A Radical Departure
If Matilda the Musical showcased Weir’s sweetness and musicality, Abigail revealed an entirely different side of her talent. Directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (the team behind Scream and Ready or Not), Abigail is a horror-comedy in which Weir plays the titular character — a 12-year-old ballerina who is kidnapped by criminals, only for them to discover she is far more dangerous than she appears.
Physical Preparation and Performance
For the role, Weir trained extensively in ballet and performed many of her own stunts. The physical demands of the role — combined with the need to shift between innocence and menace — made it one of the most challenging performances by a young actor in recent memory.
Critics were astonished by her work. Frank Scheck of The Hollywood Reporter described her performance as “mesmerising” and “frightening and sardonically funny.” Producers and reviewers noted her ability to control the film’s pacing, transitioning between distinct character states with remarkable nuance. Her height and excellent sense of rhythm were also praised for adding to the character’s unsettling presence.
Box Office and Impact
Released by Universal Pictures in April 2024, Abigail was a commercial success and solidified Weir’s reputation as an actor capable of carrying intense, genre-driven material. The film marked a deliberate shift in her career — from family-oriented projects to more mature, complex work — while she was still only fourteen years old.
Voice Acting and Animation Projects
Buffalo Kids (2024)
In 2024, Weir expanded into voice acting with Buffalo Kids, an animated adventure directed by Pedro Solís and Juan Jesús García. She voiced Mary, one of two Irish orphans on a train journey across America. This project allowed her to reach younger audiences while building skills in a different medium of performance.
The Land of Sometimes (Upcoming)
Weir is also set to voice the lead role of Elise in The Land of Sometimes, an animated fantasy feature alongside Ewan McGregor, Helena Bonham Carter, and Jessica Henwick. The film explores themes of grief and adventure, and represents Weir’s continued expansion into family-friendly animation. It is anticipated for release in 2026.
Return to the Stage: Mary Page Marlowe at The Old Vic
A West End Debut
In September 2025, Weir made her West End debut in Tracy Letts’ Mary Page Marlowe at The Old Vic’s Jerwood Theatre Downstairs in London. The production, directed by her Matilda the Musical collaborator Matthew Warchus, featured five actresses portraying the title character at different stages of life. Weir played the 12-year-old Mary, sharing the role with Eleanor Worthington-Cox, Rosy McEwen, Andrea Riseborough, and Susan Sarandon.
This return to live theatre was significant for several reasons. It reconnected Weir with her theatrical roots, allowed her to work with one of America’s most respected playwrights, and placed her on stage alongside some of the most acclaimed actors of their generation. The run, which opened in early October 2025, received acclaim for its innovative structure and Weir’s poignant depiction of youthful vulnerability amid family dysfunction.
The Matilda Connection
Notably, the production had a strong Matilda theme. Eleanor Worthington-Cox originated the role of Matilda in the original West End production and won a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance. Andrea Riseborough had also appeared alongside Weir in the Matilda the Musical film. This reunion underscored the tight-knit nature of the British and Irish theatre community, and Weir’s place within it.
Upcoming Projects: Underdogs and The Land of Sometimes
Underdogs (Announced 2026)
In May 2026, it was announced that Weir would lead the upcoming coming-of-age comedy Underdogs, the debut feature from writer-director Fabia Martin. The film follows two teenage girls, Nel and Zadie, who run away from foster care and find themselves competing at the world-famous Crufts dog show.
Weir will play Nel, a “quirky dog-enthusiast” eager to win over her new foster sister. The film is described as a story about belonging, resilience, and the care system, told with humour and heart. It will shoot in the UK and represents Weir’s first leading role in a live-action comedy since Matilda.
Continued Growth
With The Land of Sometimes and Underdogs on the horizon, Weir’s slate continues to diversify. She is deliberately building a career that spans musicals, horror, comedy, animation, and stage drama — a strategy that suggests she is thinking long-term about her artistic development rather than chasing quick fame.
Awards and Critical Recognition
Major Awards and Nominations
Despite her young age, Alisha Weir has already received significant industry recognition:
Table
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Newpark Music Festival | First Prize (Vocal) | — | Won |
| 2022 | Dublin Film Critics’ Circle | Breakthrough Artist – Irish | Matilda the Musical | Won |
| 2023 | London Film Critics’ Circle | Young British/Irish Performer of the Year | Matilda the Musical | Nominated |
| 2023 | Irish Film & Television Awards | Lead Actress – Film | Matilda the Musical | Nominated |
| 2024 | Fangoria Chainsaw Awards | Best Supporting Performance | Abigail | Nominated |
| 2024 | Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe | Entertainment | — | Honoured |
| 2025 | Critics’ Choice Movie Awards | Best Young Performer | Abigail | Nominated |
| 2025 | Saturn Awards | Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Film | Abigail | Nominated |
| 2025 | IFTA Film & Drama Awards | Lead Actress – Film | Abigail | Nominated |
| 2025 | London Film Critics’ Circle | Young British/Irish Performer of the Year | Abigail, Buffalo Kids, Wicked Little Letters | Nominated |
Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe
In April 2024, Weir was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list in the Entertainment category. At fourteen, she was the second-youngest entrant in the category’s history. This honour placed her alongside the most promising young creatives in Europe and signalled that industry observers view her as a long-term talent rather than a fleeting child star.
What the Nominations Tell Us
The breadth of her nominations is telling. She has been recognised by genre-specific bodies (Saturn Awards for horror, Fangoria Chainsaw Awards), national institutions (IFTA, Dublin Film Critics’ Circle), and international critics (Critics’ Choice Movie Awards). This range suggests that her appeal transcends any single genre or region — a crucial factor for long-term career sustainability.
What Makes Alisha Weir Stand Out?
1. Extraordinary Versatility
Few actors can claim to have led a major Hollywood musical and a hard-R horror film before their fifteenth birthday. Weir’s ability to shift between these extremes — from the whimsical optimism of Matilda to the terrifying duality of Abigail — speaks to a fundamental understanding of character and craft that cannot be taught.
2. Strong Theatrical Foundation
Her years on Dublin stages gave her discipline, projection, and the ability to connect with a live audience. These skills translate directly to screen acting, where presence and emotional authenticity are equally vital. Her return to The Old Vic in 2025 demonstrates that she values this foundation and intends to maintain it.
3. Professional Maturity
Industry professionals who have worked with Weir consistently praise her professionalism, work ethic, and emotional intelligence. She has handled the pressures of international stardom — media attention, red carpets, demanding schedules — with a composure that suggests she is guided by strong support systems and personal grounding.
4. Strategic Career Choices
Rather than being typecast or rushing into every available project, Weir and her team have made deliberate choices. The move from Matilda to Abigail to Wicked Little Letters to stage work shows a pattern of risk-taking and range-building that mirrors the career paths of actors like Saoirse Ronan — whom Weir has cited as one of her idols.
5. Irish Identity on the Global Stage
As an Irish performer achieving international recognition, Weir joins a distinguished lineage of Irish actors who have brought their unique perspective to global cinema. Her success also highlights the strength of Ireland’s performing arts community, from Dublin’s theatres to Belfast’s film studios.
Conclusion
Alisha Weir is not simply a rising star — she is a fully formed talent who happens to be young. In just a few years, she has built a body of work that spans musicals, horror, comedy, animation, and stage drama, earning critical acclaim and industry recognition at every turn.
From her early days performing in Dublin’s Olympia Theatre to sharing the stage with Susan Sarandon at The Old Vic, from singing “Naughty” on a Netflix soundstage to performing ballet-fuelled stunts in a Universal horror film, Weir has demonstrated that she is an actor of remarkable range and depth.
What makes her story particularly compelling is the sense that this is only the beginning. At sixteen, with major projects lined up and a growing reputation for excellence, she is positioned to become one of the defining actors of her generation. For audiences, casting directors, and fellow performers, Alisha Weir represents the best of what modern cinema can offer: authenticity, versatility, and a genuine love for the craft.
As she continues to grow — both as an artist and as a young woman — the industry will be watching closely. And if her trajectory so far is any indication, we can expect many more extraordinary performances in the years to come.
