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NEED TO KNOW
Priscilla is the film adaptation of Priscilla Presley's 1985 memoir, Elvis and Me, which told the story of her relationship with Elvis Presley
Cailee Spaeny starred in the movie as Priscilla, while Jacob Elordi played Elvis Presley
The film also featured Ari Cohen, Dagmara Domińczyk and Lynne Griffin as Priscilla and Elvis' family and friends
Priscillafollows the story ofPriscilla Presleyin her six-year marriage toElvis Presley.
The biographical drama film — which was written, directed and produced by Sofia Coppola — starsCailee Spaenyas Priscilla andJacob Elordias Elvis. The movie goes deep into their complicated relationship from Priscilla's point of view.
In addition to Spaeny and Elordi, the movie also stars Ari Cohen as Paul Beaulieu,Dagmara Domińczykas Ann Beaulieu, Tim Post asVernon Presley, Lynne Griffin as Grandma "Dodger" and Daniel Beirne as Joe Esposito.
AfterPriscillawas released in 2023, Priscilla — who also served as an executive producer — shared her praises for Coppola, Spaeny and the rest of the cast for their portrayal of her life.
"It's very difficult to sit and watch a film about you and about your life and about your love," she told reporters at theVenice Film Festival. "I thinkSofia did an amazing job, she did her homework. We spoke a couple of times and I really put everything out for her that I could."
Here's everything to know about the cast ofPriscillaand the real people they play.
Cailee Spaeny as Priscilla Presley
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Spaeny ledPriscillaas the titular character. She played Priscilla from the age of 14 to 27, from the time she met Elvis in 1959 to their separation in 1972. The movie was adapted from Priscilla's 1985 memoir,Elvis and Me, where she described meeting Elvis, getting married and the eventual demise of their relationship.
Prior to the movie's release, Spaeny spoke about the "incredible responsibility" she felt portraying Priscilla and how she wanted to ensure the real woman "felt seen."
"This is the most challenging role I've ever done in my career; it's the version of the story we've never seen before," Spaeny told PEOPLE in October 2023.
Priscilla also praised Spaeny's portrayal of her, and the actress revealed that she received great feedback from Priscilla after she saw the movie for the first time at the Venice Film Festival.
"[Priscilla's] reaction and how she said she watched her life through seeing the movie. That's it. That's thebest review I could get," Spaeny told PEOPLE in November 2023. The actress later received aGolden Globenomination for her portrayal of Priscilla.
Prior to her role inPriscilla, Spaeny had a breakout role in the hit seriesMare of EasttownandThe First Lady.She has gone on to act inCivil War, Wake Up Dead ManandAlien: Romulus.
Jacob Elordi as Elvis Presley
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Elordi portrayed the King of Rock and Roll himself, Elvis Presley. Similar to his on-screen wife, Elordi also jumped in time from playing Elvis at 24 years old meeting Priscilla to him at 37 ending the marriage.
TheEuphoriaactor transformed into the singer both physically and emotionally and even gained weight to mimic the singer's diet and body.
"I averaged, like, a pound of bacon a day," Elordi toldEntertainment Weeklyin November 2023. "It's not that noticeable 'cause I'm quite long, but I was the biggest I've ever been."
By the time Elordi starred as Elvis, he had already had significant roles inThe Kissing Boothfranchise and the hit HBO seriesEuphoria. Around the same time thatPriscillawas released, Elordi acted inSaltburnand earned aBAFTA Awardnomination for his role in theEmerald Fennellmovie.
He has gone on to act inOn Swift Horses, Frankensteinand the 2026 movieWuthering Heights.
Ari Cohen as Paul Beaulieu
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While the film mostly revolves around Priscilla and Elvis' relationship, it also includes significant moments with both of their loved ones, as well. Paul Beaulieu, who was played by Cohen, was Priscilla's stepfather and the father figure in her life.
Priscilla's mother, Ann, married the U.S. Air Force officer in 1948 after Priscilla's biological father died. Paul adopted Priscilla and raised her as his own, along with her half-siblings Donald, Michelle, Jeffrey and twins Thomas and Timothy. The family frequently moved around because of Paul's job in the military, and they were living at a base in Germany when she met Elvis, who was serving at the time.
Although Paul and Ann were initially hesitant about Priscilla and Elvis' relationship, they eventually supported her decision to move to Graceland and marry the musician, with Paul even walking her down the aisle at their wedding. Paul eventually retired from the Air Force and moved to Brentwood, Calif., with Ann. He died on Jan. 4, 2018, per Priscilla'sFacebook.
Cohen played Paul after making a name for himself in plays such asDeath of a SalesmanandLost in Yonkers,as well as movies includingItandMolly's Game.
Since acting inPriscilla, Cohen has made appearances onFargo,Brilliant MindsandDoc.
Dagmara Domińczyk as Ann Beaulieu
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Meanwhile, Dagmara Domińczyk played Cohen's on-screen spouse, Ann Beaulieu. Ann was previously married to U.S. Navy pilot James Wagner from 1944 until his death from a plane crash in 1945, perTheBlizzard. Wagner died when Priscilla was 6 months old.
Ann went on to marry Paul in 1948, and they raised Priscilla together. Ann and Priscilla remained close, and Ann also supported her daughter's relationship with Elvis.
Priscilla mourned her mother's 2021 deathby sharing a photo of her holding a bouquet of flowers.
"I am heartbroken," she wrote onInstagram. "My beautiful mother passed today. She was the light of our lives. She never wanted any attention on herself. Her children were her everything. May you Rest In Peace mom. You will always be with us."
Domińczyk, who played the doting mother, had appeared in several movies and television shows — includingSuccession, The Count of Monte CristoandThe Assistant— before acting inPriscilla.
Since the 2023 film, she has been inMiller's GirlandTravel Essentials, as well as TV showsThe SavantandBlack Rabbit.
Tim Post as Vernon Presley
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In addition to showcasing Priscilla's parents, the movie also highlighted Elvis' loved ones, including his father, Vernon Presley. Vernon raised Elvis with his wife, Gladys Presley, until she died in 1958 — in the middle of Elvis' military service in Germany.
Vernon was extremely involved in both his son's business and personal affairs and often supervised Priscilla's stays at Graceland before they were married. Vernon and Elvis shared a close bond, and he was mostly in charge of his son's finances and managed his estate after Elvis died.
Vernondied from a heart attackon June 26, 1979. He wasburied alongside his son, per theGraceland website.
InPriscilla, Post portrayed Vernon from Priscilla's point of view. He is a Canadian actor who is known for his roles inEnemy,Mayor of KingstownandX-Men: Days of Future Past.
Post has gone on to have roles in the television seriesThe Way HomeandIt: Welcome to Derry.
Lynne Griffin as Grandma "Dodger"
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In addition to Elvis' father, his paternal grandmother, Minnie Mae Hood Presley, played a crucial role in his life. Minnie Mae was married to Jesse D., and they welcomed son Vernon in 1916, perGraceland.
After she barely missed a ball Elvis threw towards her as a child, Minnie Mae went by Grandma "Dodger" to Elvis. She became a mother-like figure for the singer after Gladys died and lived with Vernon, Priscilla and Elvis at Graceland.
Grandma "Dodger" outlived both Elvis and Vernon and died on May 8, 1980. She is buried at Graceland near Vernon, Gladys and Elvis.
Griffin had been acting for years prior to playing Grandma "Dodger" inPriscilla. She got her start with the filmsBlack Christmas, CurtainsandStrange Brewbefore continuing to rise to fame with the television seriesWind at My Back.
She returned to theBlack Christmasuniverse with the 2024 movieIt's Me, Billy: Chapter 2and has also had roles inMy Dead MomandThanksgivingsincePriscilla.
Daniel Beirne as Joe Esposito
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Beirne portrayed one of Elvis' closest friends and later road manager, Joe Esposito. The pair became friends when they served in the military together in Germany, and Esposito continued working for Elvis after they both returned home.
Esposito served as Elvis' co-best man at his wedding to Priscilla, while his wife, Joanie, was Priscilla's matron of honor. Esposito laterbroke the news of Elvis' tragic deathto Priscilla over the phone.
Esposito went on to write several books about Elvis, while also managing other artists on the road. He died on Nov. 23, 2016.
BeforePriscilla,Beirne acted inThe Twentieth Century, FargoandWorkin' Moms. Since 2021, he has played Nick inGinny & Georgia, and afterPriscilla, Beirne appeared inThe Institute, Davey & Jonesie's LockerandPaying for It.
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