More than 20 years after Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the first draft – and 13 years after his Broadway debut – In the Heights is finally making its way to the big screen.

The cast assembled for the film adaptation is vastly different from the stage version, but a few stars keep their place, including Olga Merediz, who is reprising her role as Abuela Claudia, and Miranda himself, who takes on the much smaller role of Piragüero. originally having starred Usnavi.

There is no room in the film for Vanessa Hudgens, who played Vanessa in the 2018 Broadway Center Stage production, but Anthony Ramos – who also appeared in that production – is directing the cast as ‘Usnavi.

Speaking of the cast, director Jon M. Chu recounts RadioTimes.com and other presses, “We had to find people who could speak any language in the film, move from dialogue and acting to music, to movement and express it not just as a performance.

“All these people, what they brought when I first met them was the veracity, the veracity of Lin’s music he wrote on the streets he grew up on, and the ‘love Quiara put into the words that these people had to be able to say instinctively understand, translate it and express it in any way possible – whether it be dialogue or music. “

Read on for everything you need to know about the cast of In The Heights, including who they play and where you may have seen them before.

Anthony Ramos plays Usnavi de la Vega

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Who is Usnavi? The main character and narrator, Usnavi is a sympathetic and hardworking winery owner. He dreams of moving to the Dominican Republic, where his late parents were from before moving to New York.

What else has Anthony Ramos been in? Ramos is no stranger to Lin-Manuel Miranda’s work, having created the roles of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton in Hamilton. On the big screen, he has already appeared in A Star is Born and Godzilla: King of the Monsters, while he voiced the character King Trollex in the animated film Trolls World Tour. He also played the role of Mars Blackmon in 19 episodes of the Netflix series She’s Gotta Have It.

Leslie Grace plays Nina Rosario

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Who is Nina? Nina was born and raised in Washington Heights and recently returned from Stanford University, where she was struggling to settle down and felt alienated as a result. Although she wants to give up, she finds it difficult to persuade her father that it is the right thing to do, especially since she is the first person in her family to go to college.

What else has Leslie Grace been in? Known for her career as a singer / songwriter, Grace has won several Latin Grammy Award nominations. It will be his first role in the cinema.

Ariana Greenblatt plays young Nina and Ariana S. Gómez plays 12-year-old Nina.

Melissa Barrera plays Vanessa Morales

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Who is Vanessa? An ambitious young fashion designer, Vanessa hopes to start her career in downtown New York, but is currently working at local Daniela’s salon. She is also Usnavi’s love interest.

What else has Melissa Barrera been into? Barrera appeared in several telenovelas in her native Mexico, and first rose to prominence in the United States as the main character in the drama Starz Vida. In the Heights is her biggest on-screen role to date, but she’s also set to appear in the upcoming Scream reboot and the upcoming Carmen adaptation.

Olga Merediz plays “Abuela” Claudia

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Who is Claudie? The neighborhood’s de facto abuela (grandmother), Claudia is a pillar of the community, who has lived in Washington Heights since she was a young girl. She inspires love and respect in everyone and watches over the whole community – and she also enjoys buying lottery tickets.

What else has Olga Merediz been in? A veteran of the stage and film, Merediz created the role of Claudia in the stage version of In the Heights – and won a Tony Award for her performance. Onscreen, she has appeared in minor roles in TV shows such as The Sopranos, Shades of Blue, and Orange Is the New Black, while film credits include Requiem for a Dream, The Place Beyond the Pines and Godmother.

Corey Hawkins plays Benny

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Who is Benny? Usnavi’s best friend, Benny works as a dispatcher for local car service owner Kevin Rosario – Nina’s father – and happens to be in love with his boss’s daughter.

What else has Corey Hawkins been in? Hawkins has a number of notable screen credits to his credit, most notably playing Heath in five episodes of The Walking Dead, in addition to starring roles in 24: Legacy and Survive. On the big screen, he’s previously played Dr. Dre in Straight Outta Compton, in addition to roles in Kong: Skull Island, BlackKklansman and 6 Underground.

Daphné Rubin-Vega plays Daniela

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Who is Daniela? Owner of the local salon, Daniela works alongside Cuca and Carla and plans to relocate her business location.

What else has Daphne Rubin-Vega been into? Acclaimed stage star Rubin-Vega created the roles of Mimi Marquez in the musical Rent and Lucy in the off-Broadway play Jack Goes Boating. Onscreen, she appeared in the NBC drama Smash and the Riverdale spin-off Katy Keene.

Gregory Diaz IV plays Sonny de la Vega

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Who is Sonny de la Vega? Usnavi’s cousin, Sonny works alongside him at the bodega and can sometimes be a little too smart for his own good. He also faces immigration issues.

What else has Gregory Diaz IV been in? This is Diaz’s biggest movie role to date, but he previously played Quentin in two episodes of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and appeared in the 2020 film Vampires vs. the Bronx. On stage, he played Bruce in the 2018 Broadway transfer of Matilda the Musical.

Jimmy Smits plays Kevin Rosario

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Who is Kevin Rosario? Owner of the local shipping company, Kevin has sold half of his business to fund his daughter Nina’s college education – and so is not satisfied with his desire to give up.

What else has Jimmy Smits been in? Smits is a television veteran, with famous roles such as attorney Victor Sifuentes on LA Law, Detective Bobby Simone on NYPD Blue, Matt Santos on The West Wing, and Nero Padilla on Sons of Anarchy. His most important role on the big screen was as Bail Organa in the prequel trilogy of Star Wars and Rogue One.

Stéphanie Beatriz plays Carla

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Who is Carla? A hairdresser in Daniela’s salon and first-class gossip trader, Carla is in a relationship with Daniela – a change from the play.

What else has Stéphanie Beatriz been in? Beatriz is best known for playing Detective Rosa Diaz in Brooklyn Nine-Nine, while previous film credits include Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, The Light of the Moon, and voice roles in Ice Age: Collision Course. and The Lego Movie 2.

Dascha Polanco plays Cuca

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Who is Cuca? New character in the film, Cuca is another employee of Daniela’s salon, where she works as a hairdresser and manicurist.

What else has Dascha Polanco been in? Polanco’s most famous role is as Dayanara “Daya” Diaz in Orange Is the New Black, while big screen credits include Gimme Shelter, Joy and The Irishman. She has also appeared in episodes of The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Russian Doll and When They See Us.

Lin-Manuel Miranda plays Piragüero, the Piragua Guy

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Who is Piragüero? A minor figure, Piragüero owns a small piragua stand (a Puerto Rican dessert) in the neighborhood.

What else has Lin-Manuel Miranda been in? As the creator and co-writer of In the Heights, Miranda will no longer need to be introduced. He created the role of Usnavi in ​​the Broadway show, before gaining fame with his second musical – world sensation Hamilton. Other on-screen roles for Miranda include Jack in Mary Poppins Returns and Lee Scoresby in His Dark Materials.

Marc Anthony plays Gapo de la Vega

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Who is Gapo de la Vega? Usnavi’s uncle and Sonny’s father, Gapo de la Vega only appears in one scene of the film.

What else has Marc Anthony been in? Three-time Grammy Award and six-time Latin Grammy Award, Anthony is best known for his music career, but also has several movie roles to his credit, including Hackers, Bringing out the Dead, and Man on Fire. This cameo is his first appearance on the big screen since 2006.

In the Heights hits UK cinemas on Friday, June 18, 2021 – you might want to check out the full In The Heights soundtrack to find out what tracks to expect. Visit our Movies hub for all the latest news. Looking for something to watch tonight? Check out our TV guide.