Sabrina Carpenter Cast as Ginger Rogers in Fred Astaire Biopic

Casting the Icons of Old Hollywood

In a significant return to her acting roots, Sabrina Carpenter has been tapped to play the silver-screen legend Ginger Rogers in an upcoming, still-untitled biopic. The film, directed by Paul King, focuses on the life and career of Fred Astaire, who will be portrayed by Tom Holland. Holland is set to play the Old Hollywood triple-threat in a production that has been in development for over five years.

Joining the cast as Fred’s older sister and original dance partner, Adele Astaire, is Margaret Qualley. Qualley and Carpenter share a recent professional history, having previously collaborated as partners in Carpenter’s "House Tour" video. While Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are widely celebrated as one of history's most famous dancing duos, this film aims to shine a light on the pioneering stage work of the Astaire siblings—a partnership that began on Broadway and London’s West End but is often overlooked by modern audiences.

A Directorial Challenge and Historical Preservation

Director Paul King, known for his work on Paddington and Wonka, announced the casting on a Friday, emphasizing the importance of bringing these 20th-century icons to life. King noted the disparity in the surviving records of the two women who defined Fred Astaire’s early career. While Rogers’ work is immortalized on film, Adele’s performances remain largely a matter of historical record rather than visual media.

"I am thrilled and honored to have been entrusted with telling the story of Fred Astaire and his original dance partner — his big sister Adele — to the big screen,"

— Paul King

King further elaborated on the cinematic hurdles involved in depicting Adele Astaire, whose career flourished primarily on the stage before her retirement from performance.

"Fred left a timeless legacy of dance on film — most famously in his collaborations with Ginger Rogers — while Adele’s work has been lost to history; indeed, no footage of her dancing survives. The cinematic challenge of bringing to life these icons of the twentieth century is one that I could not imagine without Tom Holland, Margaret Qualley and Sabrina Carpenter by my side."

— Paul King

Estate Approval and Source Material

The project arrives with the full endorsement of the legendary dancer’s estate. The narrative foundation for the film is Kathleen Riley’s seminal biography, titled The Astaires: Fred & Adele. This source material ensures the film remains grounded in the documented history of the siblings' partnership both on and off the stage.

Fred Astaire’s daughter, Ava Astaire McKenzie, issued a statement expressing her confidence in the creative team and the choice of source material to honor her family's legacy.

"I’m delighted to support this endeavor to celebrate the extraordinary careers and enduring legacy of my father and aunt, who were among the biggest musical stars of their era,"

— Ava Astaire McKenzie

"With Kathleen Riley’s seminal biography as its foundation, and the creative team in place, the story of their partnership both on and off the stage is in the best care."

— Ava Astaire McKenzie

Sabrina Carpenter’s Career Evolution

While Carpenter is currently recognized as a major figure in the Pop genre, her entry into show business began in front of the camera. Years before her music career gained international momentum, she appeared in television series including Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Orange Is the New Black, and Girl Meets World. On the big screen, she has previously held roles in The Hate U Give and Tall Girl, though the Astaire biopic marks her first major film credit since 2022.

According to verified industry data, the artist's career began when she was formed in 1999. This casting announcement follows a highly successful year for the performer, during which she headlined Coachella, performed at the Grammys, and collaborated with Madonna. She also recently earned her first Emmy for her work as an executive producer and performer on The Muppet Show. Additionally, her song "Man’s Best Friend" was recently recognized at No. 17 in a ranking of the 30 Best Pop Albums of 2025.