Christine Baranski reveals which Mamma Mia co-star “hated” dancing to ABBA

Christine Baranski had recently, appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, to promote the new season of Nine Perfect Strangers. The American actress, had played the role of Tanya Chesham-Leigh for the 2008 musical film, Mamma Mia!

On the show, Christine Baranski, now 73 years old, offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of the ABBA-based films, recalling how her fellow cast members felt about tackling the energetic dance numbers. According to Christine Baranski, Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård, wasn’t eager to hit the dance floor.

"Stellan hated it," the actress shared with Stephen Colbert.

"Pierce was game. He would skip down the hill multiple times ... and I think Colin Firth meant all of his moves ironically."

When "we finally went down the hill in 'Dancing Queen' and landed on the dock, and then it was the end of the number, and the camera would move around, and it usually would avoid Stellan," she added.

Christine Baranski shares behind-the-scenes story of Skarsgård’s dance struggles:

Christine Baranski later revealed that even the movie's director, Ol Parker’s efforts had failed, when he tried persuading Skarsgård to loosen up.

“Finally, Ol Parker, the director, said, ‘Stellan, okay, it's time for your close up. You have got to do the moves now. You have simply got to do the moves,’” Baranski shared.

"He let out a string of expletives," she added.

"It's as though Ol had asked him to do Arabic poetry while jumping rope. He was like, 'I can't do that.'" explained the actress.

In the movie, Academy award winning actress, Meryl Streep had played the character of Donna Sheridan. Donna is a hotel owner, who lives on the Greek island, she ends up juggling wedding preparations for her daughter with the help of two close friends. A twist is added to the plot when Sophie, the bride to be, hatches a plan of her own. Sophie ends up inviting, three of her mother’s former lovers, as she believes, one of them to be her biological father and could give her away at the ceremony. The mystery men from Donna’s past—Sam Carmichael, Harry Bright, and Bill Anderson, were brought to life by Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgård, whose characters have no idea that, they may share a daughter.

Reflecting on the movie memories, Christine Baranski, praised Stellan Skarsgård’s performance, calling it hilarious and heartfelt. He “did it,” she expressed.

“It was so funny. I love Stellan. He’s just the greatest. He’s a wonderful actor. He was a great colleague.” shared the actress.

In a February 2024 interview with Vanity Fair, Stellan Skarsgård opened up about his initial skepticism toward joining Mamma Mia!, calling the idea “absurd” due to his limited experience in musicals. However, he reconsidered after he learned, that fellow actors Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth had already signed on, ultimately swayed by their involvement and the collaborative spirit of the project.

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"In a film that is produced by men and directed by men (and) with men in the lead, you have the bimbo. And we were the bimbos in this female(-led) production," shared Skarsgård.

"We didn't have to be anything but look cute and be silly, there's only one thing that was asked of us and that was have fun. Because if we don't have fun, it won't be a film." he added.

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