Wicked was a mᴀssive hit despite and because of the small changes it made from the Broadway production, and Wicked: For Good looks to be making some similar decisions, one of which I can only be happy about. The second half of the two-part movie adaptation of the legendary Broadway musical will continue to focus on the relationship between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande-Butera), which is increasingly strained as they are forced to be enemies amid conflict in Oz. Erivo and Grande both earned Oscar nominations for their performances in the 2025 awards season, but Wicked owes its success to an across-the-board amazing cast.
Wicked‘s cast includes the deeply charismatic Jonathan Bailey as part of the burgeoning love triangle, as well as industry veteran and recent Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh as the scheming and powerful Madame Morrible. Expanding the roughly three-hour musical to a five-to-six-hour movie experience has also meant that certain supporting characters can have bigger roles. As seen in Wicked‘s ending, as well as throughout its runtime, the way the side characters of Shiz’s student body react to everything is important to the main themes, meaning the return of at least two of them will have its own effect on Wicked 2.
Pfannee & Shenshen’s Roles Will Be Expanded From The Second Act Of The Wicked Show
Pfannee & Shenshen Won’t Just Disappear From Glinda’s Life
Pfannee and Shenshen flank Glinda throughout Wicked, her two would-be best friends before Elphaba. They are both characterized as mindless followers, yet try to stop Glinda when she reaches out to Elphaba. However, they are also hilarious, bolstering Glinda’s comedy while standing on their own, thanks to the flamboyant performances by Bowen Yang and Bronwyn James. Now, these characters’ roles will be further elaborated upon in the second half.
Pfannee and Shenshen are never named in the Broadway show (and only in one of Wicked‘s deleted scenes in the movie) and they blend in much more with the whole pack of Shiz students on stage. The movie already made them stand out by giving them more scenes with just the two of them and Glinda. However, in the second half of the musical, they essentially disappear into the rest of the ensemble of Ozian citizens. Yang confirmed that this will not be the case with Wicked 2, saying (via today.com):
“Right when we pick up, Glinda is in this very front-facing position. Pfannee and Shenshen […] are at her side still, but a lot is in motion.”
Bowen Yang & Bronwyn James Only Made Wicked Better – How They Can Do The Same In Wicked 2
Yang & James Made Their Obnoxious Characters Important But Likable
Bolstered by their comedy experience, especially Yang’s on SNL, the duo really added something to Wicked with their hilarious backup-dancer routine for Glinda. However, Pfannee and Shenshen, along with the rest of the Ozian public, also illustrate the effects of propaganda and mob mentality with how quick they are to buy into what the government is saying about Elphaba when they, to some extent, know her personally and have never seen her hurt anyone. Yang has touched upon his character’s somewhat villainous role, saying (via Collider): “I think my character gets his just desserts [in Wicked 2].“
Bolstered by their comedy experience, especially Yang’s on SNL, the duo really added something to Wicked with their hilarious backup-dancer routine for Glinda.
Alongside Ariana Grande’s unbelievable comedic skills, Yang and James as Pfannee and Shenshen will continue to bring humor to Wicked with their satirical characters. However, it is also sounding like the pair might end up having to reflect and own up to what they have been a part of. Given how great they were in the first half, everyone should be glad that Pfannee and Shenshen are returning for Wicked: For Good, while the rest remains to be seen.
Source: today.com, Collider
