Mia Threapleton – Meet Mia Threapleton, the 24-year-old breakout star of Wes Anderson’s latest cinematic gem, The Phoenician Scheme. With a seven-and-a-half-minute standing ovation at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival and a performance hailed as “deadpan brilliance,” Threapleton has stepped firmly into the global spotlight — and she’s just getting started.
Known previously as the daughter of Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet, Mia Threapleton is now making headlines in her own right. Cast in the lead role of Liesl, a pipe-smoking novice nun in Anderson’s whimsical 1950s-set fantasy, Threapleton delivers a performance that is both comically restrained and emotionally sharp — trademarks of Anderson’s signature style.
A New Wes Anderson Muse
Threapleton’s journey to landing the role reads like a scene from one of Anderson’s films. “I was on a train, and when I found out I got the part, I literally jumped into the bike locker,” she recalled in a recent interview. The casting process was uniquely intimate. “Wes opened the door wearing striped trousers, pink socks, and hotel slippers,” she said, smiling. “We just talked about movies and art for an hour before doing any acting.”
Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme stars an ensemble of Hollywood heavyweights — including Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Willem Dafoe, and Benicio del Toro — but it’s Threapleton’s Liesl who carries the emotional weight of the film. Playing the estranged daughter of Del Toro’s character, she brings an awkward innocence and quiet power to the screen.
Cannes Ovation and Rising Stardom
At Cannes, the audience reaction was instant and emotional. As the final credits rolled, a roaring ovation began, and cameras caught Threapleton tearfully taking in the moment. “It was overwhelming, but not in a bad way,” she said. “I was holding it together, and then the camera zoomed in. I saw my face on the screen and just thought, ‘Oh no, that’s me.’ Then I lost it.”
The clip of Threapleton crying during the ovation has since gone viral, winning hearts worldwide and sparking widespread acclaim for her performance.
A Star Born from Serious Craft
Far from an overnight success, Threapleton has taken her craft seriously. For The Phoenician Scheme, she immersed herself in religious studies, visited churches, and even spoke with a deacon to understand her character’s background. “I read parts of Leviticus, made props for my character, drew family trees… Wes encouraged me to go deep,” she explained.
While her mother Kate Winslet offered support, she gave one simple piece of advice: “Just read the script.” Threapleton took that to heart — and then some.
What’s Next for Mia Threapleton?
Already being hailed as Wes Anderson’s “newest muse,” Threapleton is poised for a rapid rise. With natural charm, classical training, and a commitment to detail that impressed even the most seasoned members of the Cannes jury, her career trajectory is pointing sharply upward.
In an industry where many breakout roles are quickly forgotten, Mia Threapleton has delivered something different: a quietly confident performance with staying power. Critics and fans alike are calling her the real revelation of Anderson’s latest film.
As The Phoenician Scheme opens in theaters nationwide, one thing is certain — Mia Threapleton is no longer in anyone’s shadow. She’s a rising star with her own story, and the world is finally watching.