The Grand Disambiguation: Who is Who in Every Secret Garden?
Before we dive into the psychology of why we’re still obsessed with the Craven family, let’s get your immediate questions answered. The term actors in secret garden usually refers to one of three major productions that defined their respective eras. Whether you are looking for the 90s child stars who made us want a swing in a hidden garden or the Hallyu icons who swapped souls in 2010, this map identifies exactly who you’re looking for across the most popular adaptations.
- The 1993 Masterpiece (Film): Kate Maberly (Mary), Heydon Prowse (Colin), and Andrew Knott (Dickon).
- The 2010 Phenomenon (K-Drama): Hyun Bin (Kim Joo-won) and Ha Ji-won (Gil Ra-im).
- The 2020 Modernization (Film): Dixie Egerickx (Mary) and Colin Firth (Lord Archibald Craven).
- The 2024 Stage Revival (Musical): Features Theo Smith and Scarlett Archer in the latest UK production.
Picture this: It’s a rainy Saturday in 1994, and you’ve just popped a VHS into the player. You see a young girl with a fierce scowl and a stubborn chin standing on a desolate Yorkshire moor. That visceral memory of Mary Lennox is why we search for these actors decades later. We aren’t just looking for names; we are looking for the people who validated our own childhood feelings of being 'forgotten' or 'difficult.' When we see Kate Maberly or Hyun Bin, our brains trigger a nostalgia loop that connects our current adult selves to the emotional landscape of our youth.
From a psychological perspective, this 'Search for the Actor' is a form of anchor-retrieval. We use the face of an actor to ground a memory of a specific emotional state. This guide is designed to help you navigate those anchors across every version of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s world.
The 1993 Film Cast: The Definitive Childhood Classic
The 1993 film, produced by Francis Ford Coppola’s American Zoetrope, remains the gold standard for many because of its 'authentic' casting. Unlike other versions that lean into fantasy, this cast leaned into the grit and loneliness of Victorian childhood. The chemistry between the three leads—Mary, Colin, and Dickon—wasn't just acting; it was a depiction of trauma-bonding and collective healing.
| Character | Actor Name | Key Post-Garden Project |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Lennox | Kate Maberly | Finding Neverland |
| Colin Craven | Heydon Prowse | The Revolution Will Be Televised (Satirist) |
| Dickon | Andrew Knott | The History Boys / coronation street |
| Mrs. Medlock | Maggie Smith | Downton Abbey / Harry Potter |
| Lord Archibald Craven | John Lynch | The Fall / Sliding Doors |
| Martha | Shirley Henderson | Harry Potter (Moaning Myrtle) |
| Ben Weatherstaff | Walter Sparrow | Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves |
The 2010 K-Drama Cast: Soul-Swapping Superstars
If you are here because of a tall, handsome man in a 'hand-stitched' Italian tracksuit, you are talking about the 2010 K-Drama. This version shifted the focus from childhood innocence to adult soul-swapping and class warfare, but it kept the 'secret garden' as a metaphor for the heart. It remains one of the highest-rated dramas in Korean history, launching its lead actors in secret garden into global superstardom.
- Hyun Bin (Kim Joo-won): The arrogant CEO whose life is upended. He later became a global face of the Hallyu wave through Crash Landing on You.
- Ha Ji-won (Gil Ra-im): The hardworking stuntwoman. Her role redefined the 'tough female lead' in K-dramas.
- Yoon Sang-hyun (Oska): The washed-up Hallyu star and Joo-won’s cousin, providing the comedic heart of the show.
- Kim Sa-rang (Yoon Seul): The sophisticated director with a hidden past.
- Lee Jong-suk (Han Tae-sun): A then-rookie actor playing a genius musician; he is now a premier A-list lead in Korea.
The 2020 Movie Actors: A Modern, Magical Take
The 2020 adaptation, produced by Heyday Films (the team behind Harry Potter), took a more hallucinogenic, magical-realist approach. This version updated the timeline to 1947, just after WWII, which changed the psychological profile of the characters. These actors in secret garden had to portray a world that was literally haunted by the ghosts of war, making the garden a symbol of post-war recovery.
| Character | Actor Name | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Mary Lennox | Dixie Egerickx | The Essex Serpent |
| Lord Archibald Craven | Colin Firth | The King's Speech |
| Mrs. Medlock | Julie Walters | Harry Potter (Mrs. Weasley) |
| Dickon | Amir Wilson | His Dark Materials |
| Colin Craven | Edan Hayhurst | The Midnight Sky |
In this version, Colin Firth’s Lord Archibald is less of a distant specter and more of a man paralyzed by grief. Psychologically, this casting works because Firth carries a natural 'weight' and dignity that makes his eventual breakthrough more poignant. Dixie Egerickx, as a modern Mary, brings a sense of imaginative dissociation—her Mary uses the garden to escape a reality that is too painful to bear. This makes the 2020 cast particularly resonant for those who view the story as a study on mental health and recovery.
The Musical Cast: Broadway and Beyond
While the movies get the most attention, the stage musical version of The Secret Garden has a cult following that is just as intense. The music adds a layer of 'Ghost-Memories' to the story, where the actors playing Mary’s deceased parents are constantly on stage. This creates a haunting, beautiful atmosphere that the films can't quite replicate.
- 2024 UK Revival (York Theatre Royal): Features Jack Reitman (Archibald) and Emily Goad (Mary) in a critically acclaimed stripped-back production.
- The Original Broadway Cast (1991): Featured a young Daisy Eagan, who became the youngest female to ever win a Tony Award for her role as Mary.
- Patina Miller & Sierra Boggess: Various concert versions have featured these Broadway titans, bringing a powerhouse vocal quality to the roles of Martha and Lily.
If you're tracking down these actors in secret garden, it’s often because you’ve heard the soundtrack. According to recent theatre updates, the 2024 cast has focused on 'environmental storytelling,' using the actors' physical movements to mimic the growth of the garden itself. This is the 'Immersion Mechanism' at work—where the cast becomes the scenery, forcing the audience to engage with the story as a living organism.
Where Are They Now? The Legacy of the 1993 Child Stars
One of the biggest reasons for the 'actors in secret garden' query is the deep desire for closure. We saw these children (Kate Maberly, Heydon Prowse, Andrew Knott) grow up on screen, and we want to know if they 'turned out okay.' This is a psychological phenomenon called 'Para-social Permanence.' We develop a sense of responsibility for child actors who played vulnerable roles.
The 'Then vs. Now' Map:- Kate Maberly: She transitioned into writing and directing, showing a high level of creative agency that mirrors Mary’s own development.
- Heydon Prowse: In a fascinating twist, the boy who played the sickly, entitled Colin grew up to be a provocative political satirist and activist. This 'rebellion' against his character’s restrictive upbringing is psychologically fascinating.
- Andrew Knott: He has maintained a steady, successful career in British television, embodying the reliable, 'grounded' nature of Dickon in real life.
When we look at these actors today, we are effectively checking in on our own childhood 'inner garden.' If they are thriving, we feel that the magic of the story holds true. If they have left the industry, we often view it as them 'finding their own secret place' away from the prying eyes of the world. This search is a way of honoring the impact they had on our formative years.
FAQ
1. Who played Mary Lennox in the 1993 Secret Garden?
Kate Maberly played Mary Lennox in the 1993 version. She was 11 years old during filming and received critical acclaim for her nuanced portrayal of the stubborn but healing orphan.
2. Who is the lead actor in the Secret Garden K-drama?
Hyun Bin is the lead actor in the 2010 K-drama. He plays Kim Joo-won, a wealthy and arrogant department store CEO who undergoes a life-changing soul-swap.
3. Is Maggie Smith in The Secret Garden movie?
Yes, Maggie Smith plays the role of Mrs. Medlock, the stern housekeeper of Misselthwaite Manor. Her performance is considered one of the definitive versions of the character.
4. Who plays Dickon in the Secret Garden 2020?
In the 2020 adaptation, Dickon is played by Amir Wilson. This version modernized the character while keeping his essential connection to nature and animals.
5. Who are the actors in the 2024 Secret Garden musical?
The 2024 UK musical revival features a talented ensemble including Jack Reitman as Archibald Craven and Emily Goad as Mary Lennox at the York Theatre Royal.
6. What happened to the 1993 Secret Garden child actors?
Most of the child actors have stayed involved in the arts. Kate Maberly is a director/writer, Andrew Knott is a successful TV actor, and Heydon Prowse is a well-known satirist.
7. Who is Oska in the Secret Garden drama?
Oska, the Hallyu star and cousin to the lead, is played by actor and singer Yoon Sang-hyun. His character provides much of the emotional and comedic depth in the drama.
8. Who plays Lord Archibald Craven in the 2020 version?
Lord Archibald Craven in the 2020 film is played by Academy Award winner Colin Firth. His portrayal focuses on the deep, paralyzing grief of losing a spouse.
9. Who is Colin Craven in the 1993 Secret Garden?
In the 1993 film, Colin Craven was played by Heydon Prowse. He was chosen for his ability to convey both the entitlement and the fragility of the character.
10. Is the Secret Garden cast the same in all movies?
The cast changes with every adaptation to fit the specific vision of the director. While characters like Mary and Dickon remain constant, their ages and backgrounds are often adjusted.
References
mydramalist.com — Secret Garden (2010) Full Cast & Crew
imdb.com — The Secret Garden (1993) - Full Cast & Crew - IMDb
theatreweekly.com — Full Cast Announced for The Secret Garden – The Musical