From what critics and film-goers at numerous film festivals have said about the film, Joss Whedon’s black and white treatment of William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing is sure to be just as amazing as we had hoped it would be. However, even though this is one of Shakespeare’s more well-known plays, we thought we’d give you a guide to the colorful cast of characters because nobody has ever really tackled a modern, mainstream adaptation.
While famous plays like Romeo and Juliet have gotten the main-stream Hollywood treatment (who could ever forget Baz Lurhman’s Romeo + Juliet?), Much Ado About Nothing has never really made its way into the public consciousness. Until now, that is. Even though Much Ado is not a complicated play, we thought a character guide would be helpful. After all, the first page of any Shakespeare play has a cast of characters and tiny bios next to each name that describes their relationship to one another.
So, without further ado (pun intended), allow us to introduce the cast of characters* and save you the effort of Spark-Noting the play (we’re better; we have pictures).
*Note: We didn’t include a few minor characters that are included in the original play either because they weren’t listed on the Much Ado IMDB page as characters or because they really don’t have much relevance to the plot.
Beatrice
Meet one of the heroines of our story. Beatrice is the niece of Leonato and cousin of Hero. She’s a witty, free-thinking woman who has no problem speaking her mind or even making people laugh at her foibles. Even though she’s caring and compassionate towards her family members, especially Hero, Beatrice often uses her sharp tongue to mock and tease others, especially Benedick. There are hints throughout the play that she and Benedick may have been in a relationship at one time but not any longer. Beatrice will definitely be your favorite female character in the movie.
Beatrice is played by Amy Acker (‘Angel’, ‘Dollhouse’).
Benedick
Benedick is Beatrice’s male counterpart. He is a soldier who fights under Don Pedro’s command and happens to be Don Pedro’s right-hand man. A self-proclaimed ladies man/player who doesn’t really want to settle down any time soon, Benedick is pretty critical of women and does not trust them not to cheat on their husbands. So, basically, a wife is the last thing he wants. Like Beatrice, he’s very witty and loves puns. Seriously, he’s full of them. He and Beatrice love to have verbal competitions to see who is the most clever and hilarious.
Benedick is played by Alexis Denisof (‘Buffy’, ‘Angel’).
Claudio
Benedick’s BFF Claudio is a young soldier who also fights under Don Pedro. Though he’s good friends with Benedick, he’s not nearly as clever or cavalier. He’s very in tune with his emotions and not afraid to show a bit of weakness. Claudio falls head-over-heels in love with Hero pretty much at first sight. Unfortunately, because he’s more emotional than the average person, he’s also extremely gullible. It’s his gullibility that causes much ado about nothing (again, pun intended).
Claudio is played by Fran Kranz (‘Dollhouse’, ‘The Cabin in the Woods’).
Hero
Yes, the other heroine in this play is named Hero. It’s a bit ironic considering how little control Hero has over her life in the play, but you’ll see what we mean when you watch Much Ado About Nothing on the big screen. Anyway, Hero is Leonato’s beautiful young daughter and Beatrice’s cousin/best friend. Her and Beatrice are together almost all the time. However, unlike Beatrice, Hero is soft spoken and innocent in everything, especially the ways of love. She is also very gentle and kind, though she enjoys teasing her cousin every once in a while about her views of love and marriage.
Sometimes referred to simply as “The Prince,” Don Pedro is the leader of the band of men and a longtime friend of Leonato (hence why he decides to visit Messina). In relation to everyone in the play, Don Pedro is at the top of the food chain. Don Pedro is intelligent, fun-loving, and a faithful friend. Like Benedick, he also does well with the ladies. All in all, the Prince is pretty easy-going but, if anyone wrongs him, he can get pretty vengeful.
Don Pedro is played by Reed Diamond (‘Dollhouse’, ‘Franklin & Bash’).
Leonato
COULSON LIIIIIVES. Sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves. Clark Gregg’s character Leonato is Hero’s father and Beatrice’s uncle. He’s the revered governor of Messina who just loves to have a good time. The whole course of the play takes place at his home, including the big party. He’s more than willing to give his daughter away to Claudio if that’ll make her happy. He’s just trying to be a loving single parent but Don Pedro and his crew aren’t making it easy.
Leonato is played by Clark Gregg (‘The Avengers’).
Don John
No, we’re not talking about Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s character in his new movie. Unfortunately. Not that this Don John isn’t notable. We just like JGL better. Anyway, Don John is Don Pedro’s illegitimate brother who is sometimes just called “the Bastard.” He’s pretty much the Scar to Don Pedro’s Mufasa, personal issues (like an overwhelming jealousy) and all. In fact, Don Pedro and his crew are actually returning from a war against his brother Don John. In case you couldn’t already tell, Don John is Much Ado About Nothing‘s villain. He’s bitter, melancholy, destructive… You get the picture. He’s just not a nice guy.
Don John is played by Sean Maher (‘Firefly’, ‘Make It or Break It’).
Margaret
Margaret, one of Hero’s female attendants, is the first of the more minor characters on this list. She loves to make dirty jokes and inappropriate remarks. Even though she’s dedicated to Hero and a relatively honest character, she unwittingly becomes a pawn in Don John’s plot against Hero and Claudio. Her lover is the devious and easily-bribed Borachio, one of Don John’s men. She can’t help but love those bad boys.
Margaret is played by Ashley Johnson (‘Growing Pains’, ‘The Killing’).
Borachio
Borachio is one of Don John’s followers as well as Margaret’s lover. He’s a pretty sketchy character because he can be bribed to do pretty much anything. He helps Don John carry out his evil scheme and tricks Margaret into becoming an accomplice too. Fun fact: In Italian, Borachio means “drunkard.” That’s pretty much all you need to know about Borachio. He’s pretty one-dimensional.
Conrade is another one of Don John’s lackeys who helps conspire to ruin Hero and Claudio’s lives. His biggest flaw is his unwavering devotion to such an underhanded creep. He really doesn’t have much more ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ plot relevance than that. But hey, Conrade is played by a female in Whedon’s version of Much Ado About Nothing so maybe the character will have more significance or depth.
Conrade is played by Riki Lindhome (‘Million Dollar Baby’, ‘The Last House on the Left’).
Dogberry
What would a Shakespearean comedy be without a clown-like character? Dogberry fit the M.O. of the stereotypical bumbling cop before it became stereotypical. He’s basically the chief of police in Messina and, like all incompetent sheriffs, he takes his job very seriously. Dogberry is a middle class character, but his constant attempts at speaking like the noblemen makes him a target for ridicule.
Dogberry is played by Nathan Fillion (‘Firefly’, ‘Castle’).
Now that you’re well-versed in the colorful characters of Much Ado About Nothing, take another look at the film’s theatrical trailer below:
Yes, that veil pun is just gonna hang there staring you all in the face until you check out this incredible cover. I can’t wait to have A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire in my hands!
