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The Nonnas Cast: The Full List Of Legendary Actors And The True Story Behind Netflix's Heartwarming 2025 Film

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The highly anticipated biographical comedy-drama Nonnas (2025), set for release on Netflix, has captured significant buzz not only for its heartwarming, true-life story but also for its powerhouse ensemble cast. As of , this film promises to be a cinematic feast, blending Italian-American culture, the universal language of food, and the poignant journey of a man honoring his late mother by recruiting a team of legendary grandmothers to run a restaurant. This deep dive reveals the full list of actors, their key roles, and the fascinating true story of the Staten Island eatery that inspired the entire project.

The film, directed by Stephen Chbosky (known for The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Wonder), is based on the life of restaurateur Joe Scaravella and his unique establishment, Enoteca Maria. The cast features an incredible mix of Hollywood veterans and beloved character actors, bringing a generational weight and authentic charm to the roles of the "Nonnas"—the Italian word for grandmothers—who become the soul of the struggling restaurant. The film is scheduled to premiere globally on Netflix on Friday, May 9, 2025, making it a must-watch title for the year.

Full Cast & Character Guide: The Nonnas (2025) Ensemble

The core of the film’s appeal lies in its stellar lineup, which pairs comedy veteran Vince Vaughn with an iconic quartet of Oscar-winning and nominated actresses. This section provides a detailed breakdown of the main cast, their characters, and a brief biography, ensuring topical authority for every major entity in the film.

  • Vince Vaughn as Joe "Joey" Scaravella: The central protagonist, a man struggling with grief after losing his mother, Maria. He risks everything to honor her legacy by opening Enoteca Maria, a restaurant where only grandmothers cook. Vaughn, known for his comedic and dramatic range in films like Wedding Crashers and Hacksaw Ridge, anchors the story as the man whose vision brings these disparate women together.
  • Susan Sarandon as Gia: One of the four main Nonnas. Gia is a friend of Joe’s mother and a former hairdresser. Her character is one of the most complex, dealing with personal struggles while bringing her homemade food and wisdom to the new venture. Sarandon is an Academy Award-winning actress with a career spanning decades, from Thelma & Louise to Dead Man Walking.
  • Lorraine Bracco as Roberta: A feisty Sicilian-American cook and Joe's mother's best friend. Roberta is the closest to Joe at the start of his endeavor, acting as a tough-as-nails, yet deeply loyal, initial employee. Bracco is instantly recognizable for her iconic roles as Dr. Jennifer Melfi in The Sopranos and Karen Hill in Goodfellas.
  • Talia Shire as Teresa: Another Nonna and the group's peacemaker. Teresa is a retired nun who left the convent after discovering her true love was a woman, adding a layer of unexpected depth and complexity to her background. Shire is a legendary actress, best known for her roles as Connie Corleone in The Godfather trilogy and Adrian Balboa in the Rocky film series.
  • Brenda Vaccaro as Antonella: A neighborhood force and a widow with a large family, including three children and nine grandchildren. Antonella finds a renewed sense of purpose and community by cooking at the restaurant. Vaccaro is an Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated actress with a career spanning over 60 years.
  • Linda Cardellini as Olivia: Joe's high school friend and potential love interest. Olivia is the one who tips off Antonella about the restaurant opportunity, connecting Joe to the community. Cardellini is a versatile actress known for Dead to Me and Freaks and Geeks.
  • Drea de Matteo: Known for her roles in The Sopranos and Sons of Anarchy, de Matteo's character details are less publicized but she adds another layer of authentic Italian-American presence to the ensemble.
  • Joe Manganiello: The actor, known for Magic Mike and True Blood, joins the cast in an as-yet-undisclosed supporting role, adding more star power to the comedy-drama.

The True Story of Enoteca Maria: The Real-Life Inspiration

The magic of Nonnas is rooted in a surprising and genuinely heartwarming true story, giving the film its authentic cultural backbone. The restaurant at the heart of the movie is Enoteca Maria, located in Staten Island, New York City, which was founded by Joe Scaravella in 2007.

Scaravella opened the restaurant following the loss of his mother, Maria, and his grandmother. His goal was to create a space that honored the tradition of authentic, home-cooked Italian food—the kind of food that only a grandmother could make. The concept quickly evolved into something even more unique and globally celebrated: Nonnas of the World.

Unlike a traditional restaurant with a fixed menu and head chef, Enoteca Maria employs a rotating roster of grandmothers, or "nonnas," from various countries. Each day, a different nonna takes over the kitchen to cook the traditional cuisine of her homeland. This radical concept has led to menus featuring dishes from Italy, of course, but also from countries like Uzbekistan, Egypt, Sri Lanka, and Argentina, turning the Staten Island eatery into a genuine cultural exchange hub.

The film, while dramatizing the initial founding with four main "Nonnas" (Gia, Roberta, Teresa, and Antonella), captures the spirit of this real-life endeavor: a tribute to matriarchal love, culinary tradition, and finding community in the most unexpected places. The real Enoteca Maria continues to thrive today, a testament to Joe Scaravella's vision and the enduring power of a grandmother's cooking.

Why The Nonnas is Poised to Be a Netflix Hit

The combination of a stellar cast, a proven director, and a deeply emotional, true story gives Nonnas all the ingredients for a major streaming success. Director Stephen Chbosky, known for his sensitive and profound approach to "adult coming-of-age" stories, is expected to deliver a film that is both a pleasant blend of comedy and pathos.

The film delves into themes of grief, purpose, and the unexpected second acts of life. For Joe Scaravella, the restaurant is a way to process his loss and find a new mission. For the Nonnas—including Roberta, the feisty Sicilian-American; Gia, the former hairdresser; Teresa, the retired nun; and Antonella, the widow—it’s a chance to reclaim their identity and share their most intimate traditions.

The casting is particularly brilliant in its use of cinematic legends. Seeing Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, and Talia Shire—all women with deep roots in iconic American cinema—come together as a group of hot-tempered, big-hearted grandmothers promises a dynamic, chemistry-filled screen presence.

Key LSI Keywords and Entities for Topical Authority:

  • Director Stephen Chbosky: His involvement promises a nuanced, character-driven narrative, similar to his work on The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
  • The Enoteca Maria Concept: The film spotlights the unique, international culinary exchange program of the real Staten Island restaurant.
  • The Nonnas' Backstories: The characters’ diverse and complex personal histories—such as Teresa's past as a nun and Antonella's life as a widow—add significant emotional depth to the comedy-drama.
  • Netflix Premiere Date: The May 9, 2025 release positions it as a major Spring/Summer streaming event.
  • Thematic Focus: The film explores universal themes of family, culinary heritage, and the healing power of food, making it "cinematic comfort food" for a global audience.

In conclusion, Nonnas is shaping up to be more than just a comedy film. It’s a powerful tribute to the unsung heroes of the kitchen, the grandmothers whose recipes are a form of history, and a celebration of a real-life Staten Island success story. With Vince Vaughn leading a cast of veteran actresses, this Netflix original is guaranteed to deliver both laughs and a profound sense of warmth upon its 2025 release.

The Nonnas Cast: The Full List of Legendary Actors and the True Story Behind Netflix's Heartwarming 2025 Film
the nonnas cast
the nonnas cast

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