Sabrina Carpenter is one of the world’s brightest stars. Julie Craymer, the powerhouse producer behind every incarnation of “Mamma Mia!” — from the original West End and Broadway runs to the global box office-smashing films — has never been one to tease without purpose. In a new exclusive with Deadline’s Baz Bamingboye, Craymer, often dubbed the “Dancing Queen” of the ABBA-fueled juggernaut, was asked the question fans are dying to know: Could Sabrina Carpenter be joining “Mamma Mia 3”?
Will Sabrina Carpenter Be In “Mamma Mia 3”?
“Aha, the door’s opened for me to ask about Sabrina Carpenter and the third Mamma Mia! movie. Who would Sabrina play? I wonder,” the interviewer prodded.
Craymer played coy, but eventually offered a tantalizing hint:
“She’d be a goddess or some relation who would look very much like Meryl Streep.”
She declined to elaborate further, but Carpenter’s connection to the “Mamma Mia!” universe already feels organic. The 25-year-old pop sensation is close friends with Amanda Seyfried (Sophie from the films) and regularly performs ABBA covers during her sold-out concerts. As far as casting goes, it feels like fate.
And Carpenter’s star couldn’t be shining brighter. 2024 was a breakout year in every sense — the former Disney Channel star won two Grammys for her viral hit “Espresso” and critically acclaimed album “Short n’ Sweet”. Though she’s been releasing music since her teens, this was the moment everything aligned.
The singer-actress also starred in both theatrical and streaming films, headlined her own Netflix Christmas special, and is currently on a global tour that’s packed with ABBA tributes. She even made a short-lived but memorable Broadway debut in “Mean Girls” in 2020 before the production shut down due to COVID. The road to “Mamma Mia 3”, in many ways, feels like it’s been paved with platform boots and sequins.
Top Sabrina Carpenter ABBA Covers
Sabrina Carpenter has been spinning pop magic into ABBA gold during her “Spin the Bottle” tour segment — a fan-favorite moment where she surprises audiences with a new song each night. Among the standout covers? A dreamy “Dancing Queen,” a high-energy take on “Mamma Mia,” and a sultry, slowed-down version of “Lay All Your Love on Me.” Whether she’s channeling pure disco joy or adding her signature sparkle to a classic, Sabrina’s ABBA tributes feel like a perfect prelude to the Mamma Mia! universe — and maybe even a hint of what’s to come.
As for the “Mamma Mia!” franchise itself, its success continues to keep us dancing like queens! Since first opening on stage in London in 1999, it has become one of the most beloved musicals in modern history, with Broadway, international tours, and two film adaptations under its glittery belt. The 2018 sequel “Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” was a surprise critical and commercial hit, bringing Cher, Lily James, and even more ABBA hits into the fold. Now, after a few years of quiet, the stage show is poised for a grand Broadway return this fall — a sign that the appetite for more “Mamma Mia!” is still as strong as ever.
Craymer herself is confident but patient. “It’ll happen when it happens,” she says firmly. For fans of the music, the movies, and maybe now Sabrina Carpenter too, that’s all they need to hear.
