Cast of Beauty and the Beast (2017 Film): Full Actors List

Disney’s 2017 live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast brought a star-studded cast to one of the studio’s most beloved animated properties. Emma Watson stepped into Belle’s iconic yellow gown, while Dan Stevens underwent extensive motion-capture work to transform into the Beast — a role that required more than just acting chops, given the film’s musical demands. This guide breaks down who plays every major role, who handles the singing duties, and what viewers might not know about the casting process.

Belle: Emma Watson · Beast: Dan Stevens · Gaston: Luke Evans · LeFou: Josh Gad · Maurice: Kevin Kline

The following table consolidates the core cast assignments confirmed across multiple sources.

Who is the singing voice of the Beast in Beauty and the Beast 2017?

This question generated more confusion than any other casting detail surrounding the film. Dan Stevens provides the primary voice for the Beast in both speaking and singing scenes, according to Wikipedia’s comprehensive cast record. However, there’s an important distinction: Adam Mitchell handles the singing voice for the young Prince seen in the prologue flashback. This is a common technique in musical films — having a different performer voice younger versions or specific musical passages.

Speaking role

Dan Stevens recorded all of the Beast’s spoken dialogue using motion-capture technology. Stevens discussed his approach to the vocal performance in interview footage, explaining how he developed a distinctive vocal register for the character that would work alongside the physical performance.

Singing contributions

For the adult Beast, Stevens performed the musical numbers himself. Washington Post critic Ann Hornaday noted Watson’s singing as “serviceable enough to get the job done” in her review of the film. The young Prince segment, where the enchantress transforms the arrogant royal, uses Adam Mitchell’s vocal performances as shown in voice actor compilations.

Did Emma Thompson sing in Beauty and the Beast?

Emma Thompson indeed sings as Mrs. Potts, the enchanted teapot who befriends Belle in the castle. Thompson’s casting was announced alongside other principal cast members between March and April 2015, according to Fandom production records.

Mrs. Potts role

Thompson brought her considerable theatrical credentials to the role. She’s a seasoned musical theater performer, which likely contributed to her comfort with the vocal demands. Her performance as Mrs. Potts features prominently in “Beauty and the Beast” (the title song sequence), where she harmonizes with Belle and other enchanted objects.

Table-read performance

Production behind-the-scenes footage shows recording sessions for the voice cast. Thompson worked alongside Ewan McGregor (Lumière), Ian McKellen (Cogsworth), and Nathan Mack (Chip) to create cohesive character voices that would later be matched to CGI character animations.

What did Emma Watson refuse to do in Beauty and the Beast?

Emma Watson made a notable request during pre-production: she refused to wear a corset for Belle’s costumes. This decision aligned with her well-documented commitment to feminist principles and modernizing the character for a contemporary audience, as documented by Fandom production coverage.

Costume choices

The original 1991 animated film featured Belle in a corseted gown throughout much of the story. For the live-action remake, costume designer Jacqueline Durran worked with Watson to create a more practical wardrobe that would allow the character freedom of movement, particularly during the more active sequences in the film.

Feminist stance

Watson’s casting announcement in early 2014 generated significant media attention given her prior role as Hermione in the Harry Potter franchise. Her insistence on costume modifications signaled her intention to bring a contemporary perspective to the character without sacrificing the story’s essential elements.

Main Human Cast Roles

The film’s principal cast comprises six primary human roles alongside the enchanted object characters. Emma Watson leads as Belle, with Dan Stevens providing the Beast’s physical and vocal performance through motion-capture technology. The production brought together performers from diverse backgrounds — stage veterans, established film actors, and rising stars.

Belle

Emma Watson portrays Belle, the brilliant and independent young woman who finds herself imprisoned in the Beast’s castle. Watson trained with Paige O’Hara, the original animated Belle’s voice actress, who offered singing lessons according to Fandom production notes. The casting was announced in early 2014, with production commencing the following year.

Beast

Dan Stevens, known for his role in the TV series Legion, underwent extensive makeup and motion-capture sessions to become the Beast. Stevens had to perform his scenes wearing a motion-capture suit while speaking his dialogue, then sync those performances with the CGI Beast character in post-production.

Gaston

Luke Evans brings the charismatic but narcissistic hunter Gaston to life. Evans, who had demonstrated his singing abilities in Les Misérables, was well-suited for the role that required both theatrical bravado and musical performance. His rendition of “Gaston” showcases his theatrical range.

LeFou

Josh Gad plays LeFou, Gaston’s bumbling sidekick. The character was notably portrayed with subtle LGBTQ elements, representing a small but significant step in Disney’s live-action adaptations. Director Bill Condon confirmed this subtle characterization in interviews about the film’s representation choices.

Maurice

Kevin Kline portrays Maurice, Belle’s eccentric inventor father. Kline brings his signature wit to the role, grounding the character as a loving but absent-minded inventor whose invention malfunction leads to Belle’s fateful encounter with the Beast. Jolyon Coy appears as the young Maurice in flashback sequences.

The implied consequence: mixing stage and screen performers like Kline and Watson created productive creative tensions that elevated the adaptation beyond a simple nostalgia exercise.

Supporting and Voice Cast

Beyond the principal roles, the film features an impressive roster of performers providing voices for the enchanted objects. These characters required voice actors comfortable with both dialogue and musical performances, given the film’s extensive score.

Lumière

Ewan McGregor voices Lumière, the charming candelabra whose flirtatious nature with Mrs. Potts drives some of the film’s lighter moments. McGregor’s casting brought immediate name recognition and comedic timing to a role that required both wit and warmth.

Mrs. Potts

As detailed earlier, Emma Thompson voices Mrs. Potts. The teapot character serves as a maternal figure to Belle during her stay in the castle, and Thompson’s casting brought both vocal prowess and emotional depth to the role.

Others

Ian McKellen (Cogsworth, the anxious clock), Audra McDonald (Madame de Garderobe, the wardrobe), Stanley Tucci (Cadenza, the harpsichord), and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Plumette, the feather duster) round out the core voice cast. Nathan Mack plays Chip, the teacup, bringing innocent charm to the youngest enchanted character. Rita Davies, who passed away before the film’s release, portrays the beggar enchantress in the prologue — a poignant final performance.

The catch: McGregor’s natural charm elevated Lumière beyond source material, making the candelabra feel more spontaneous than the animated original.

Quotes and Reception

The cast’s performances drew mixed but generally positive response from critics and audiences alike. Dan Stevens noted Watson’s courage in an interview: “Emma Watson surprised us all she got up there and did the Waltz and it was so beautiful” (interview footage).

Watson’s performance as ‘alert and solemn’ while deeming her singing abilities ‘serviceable enough to get the job done’

— Ann Hornaday, Washington Post film critic

Emma Watson surprised us all she got up there and did the Waltz and it was so beautiful

— Dan Stevens, Beast actor

The film ultimately grossed $1.262 billion worldwide, demonstrating strong audience reception regardless of critical nuance about individual performances. The combination of recognizable talent and theatrical pedigree created a production that balanced nostalgia with fresh interpretation.

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Emma Watson’s portrayal of Belle alongside Dan Stevens as the Beast shines brighter when exploring the detailed 2017 cast overview that uncovers supporting roles and trivia.

Frequently asked questions

The 2017 Beauty and the Beast succeeded at the box office partly because it balanced reverence for the source material with smart casting choices. Emma Watson brought contemporary relevance to Belle, while theater veterans like Emma Thompson and Audra McDonald ensured the musical numbers landed with proper conviction. Dan Stevens handled the demanding Beast role with both vocal and physical commitment, even if critical reception of his singing was measured. For viewers choosing between this and other adaptations, the ensemble quality tips the scales decisively in its favor, with Thompson’s theatrical chops proving essential to selling the emotional climaxes.