The Testament of Ann Lee is a 2025 historical musical drama about an 18th-century religious movement, brought to the screen by an ensemble led by Amanda Seyfried.
The film, directed by Mona Fastvold and co-written with Brady Corbet, follows the journey of Ann Lee, the founder of the Shakers, a group that was defined by the radical ideas of equal rights for women, living together in common, and unshakeable spiritual devotion.
After its debut at the Venice International Film Festival in competition, The Testament of Ann Lee has been talked about mostly for its acting and the authenticity of the period.
The Testament of Ann Lee features Amanda Seyfried as Shaker leader Ann Lee, alongside Lewis Pullman, Thomasin McKenzie, Stacy Martin, and Christopher Abbott in key roles that bring the 18th-century spiritual movement to life.
Who stars in The Testament of Ann Lee?
1) Amanda Seyfried as Ann Lee
Amanda Seyfried is the main character in The Testament of Ann Lee, who we see as the Shaker’s founder from her early life and eventually her becoming a spiritual leader. Seyfried is an Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning actress whose career includes musicals, prestige dramas, and television.
After global fame with Mean Girls, Seyfried went on to star in Mamma Mia!, Les Misérables, and Mank, where she was nominated for an Academy Award.
Her role as Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout, was a major turning point, and it is this kind of transformation that she has become known for. In The Testament of Ann Lee, Seyfried’s performance has been acclaimed by many, and therefore, she was nominated for Golden Globe and Critics Choice Awards.
2) Lewis Pullman as William Lee
Lewis Pullman plays William Lee, who is Ann’s brother and one of her dearest early friends. Throughout the last couple of years, Pullman has been a consistent presence in both the small and large screen, as his name could be found in movies like Bad Times at the El Royale, Top Gun: Maverick, Thunderbolts* and The Starling Girl.
Besides, he has been recognized by critics and audience alike for his performance in limited series such as Catch 22, and Lessons in Chemistry. In The Testament of Ann Lee, Pullman is at the core of the family interaction, which is the emotional core of the film, with an emotional touch.
3) Thomasin McKenzie as Mary Partington
As one of Ann Lee’s devoted followers, Thomasin McKenzie plays Mary Partington in the film. With the film Leave No Trace, McKenzie got global attention and significant awards as a result of her breakthrough role.
After that, she collaborated with influential directors for movies like Jojo Rabbit, The Power of the Dog, Last Night in Soho, and Eileen.
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4) Stacy Martin as Jane Wardley
Stacy Martin portrays Jane Wardley, who is a historically based character from the early Shaker community. Martin has most of her work with Brady Corbet, where she has been in The Childhood of a Leader, Vox Lux, and The Brutalist.
Her credits cover both European and American cinema, where she had parts in High Rise, All the Money in the World, and The Night House. Besides, she is noteworthy for her TV series, The Serpent.
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5) Christopher Abbott as Abraham Standerin
Christopher Abbott is the actor who played the part of Abraham Standerin, husband to Ann Lee. Abbott has been widely recognized for his contributions to independent films and the portrayal of psychologically complex characters, where his notable works are Martha Marcy May Marlene, James White, It Comes at Night, and Poor Things.
On the small screen, he got a nod from the award, giving bodies for his role in Catch, 22 and has been part of the cast in series such as Girls and The Sinner.
The supporting cast includes,
- Tim Blake Nelson as Pastor Reuben Wright
- Scott Handy as James Wardley
- Matthew Beard as James Whittaker
- Viola Prettejohn as Nancy Lee
- Jamie Bogyo as Richard Hocknell
- David Cale as John Hocknell
- Esmee Hewett as young Ann Lee
- Millie Rose Crossley as young Ann Lee
- Benjamin Bagota as young William Lee
- Harry Conway as young William Lee
The Testament of Ann Lee is set to release on December 25, 2025.
Edited by Sakshi Singh
