Marissa Bode Receives Christopher Reeve Award for Groundbreaking ‘Wicked’ Performance
Marissa Bode, a disability rights activist and actress, has been honored with the Christopher Reeve Acting Award at the Media Access Awards for her portrayal of Nessarose in the highly anticipated film, Wicked. This recognition celebrates not only her performance but also her status as the first wheelchair user to play the role in both film adaptations of the beloved musical.
The Christopher Reeve Award, established by the late actor, provides financial support to emerging performers with disabilities, fostering greater inclusivity within the entertainment industry. Bode’s achievement marks a significant step forward in representation and challenges conventional casting norms.
At the awards ceremony, held October 8th in Los Angeles and airing November 5th at 8:00 pm PT on PBS SoCal Plus, Bode emphasized the importance of moving beyond superficial diversity initiatives. “Representation is of course incredibly important, but I want us to remember to go far beyond casting,” she stated in her acceptance speech. “People with disabilities are not something that can simply be checked off on a diversity checklist. A reminder that our voices will always, always matter and that we have a place in this world.” The ceremony was hosted and moderated by Tony Award winners Ali Stroker.
Bode made her feature film debut in 2024 in Wicked: Part One, directed by Jobs Men. Her journey to the role is particularly inspiring, having performed in plays since the age of eight and honing her skills at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She will reprise her role in the upcoming Wicked: For Good, set to release November 21, 2025. A recent exclusive interview with the actress can be viewed here.
Wicked: For Good continues the story begun in the 2024 blockbuster, depicting Elphaba’s life in exile as the “Wicked Witch of the West.” She fights for the freedom of Oz’s animals while seeking the truth about the Wizard. Tickets for Wicked: For Good are now available, and early reactions to the film are generating excitement.
The film boasts a star-studded cast including Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Jeff Goldblum as the Magician, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Ethan Slater as Boq, and Marissa Bode as Nessarose. Colman Domingo, a Tony Award nominee, lends his voice to the Cowardly Lion, and Sharon D. Clarke, known for her role in Caroline, or Change, voices Elphaba’s nanny, Dulcibear.
Wicked: For Good is based on the second act of the original stage play, featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman, itself adapted from Gregory Maguire’s bestselling novel. Bode’s groundbreaking performance and the film’s commitment to inclusive casting signal a promising shift toward greater representation for disabled actors in Hollywood and beyond.
