Daniel Radcliffe, Peter Dinklage Join Netflix’s 'Steps'

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- Daniel Radcliffe will voice the prince in Netflix’s animated film 'Steps', bringing a quirky, big-hearted humor that directors say redefines the traditional fairy tale role.
- Young Mazino joins the cast as Gef, 'The Heartthrob', alongside Peter Dinklage, who voices Roderick, 'The Muscle'—a man-nanny who is both terrifying and motivated by love.
- Ali Wong stars as Lilith, the so-called villainous sister who accidentally turns her sibling Margot (Stephanie Hsu) into a frog and must team up with Cinderella (Amanda Seyfried) to save the kingdom.
- Bette Midler rounds out the ensemble, voicing the fairy godmother in a film that reframes the 'evil stepsisters' as complex, three-dimensional characters deserving of their own happy endings.
- Alyce Tzue and John Ripa, co-directors of 'Steps', say the film is a personal story about sisterhood and belonging, inspired by Tzue’s experience as an outsider growing up in suburban New Jersey.
- Netflix will release 'Steps' later this year, positioning it as a character-driven animated feature that challenges fairy tale tropes by giving marginalized figures emotional depth and redemption.
Why it matters: By centering on misunderstood 'villains' and casting high-profile actors in subversive roles, 'Steps' shifts animated storytelling toward inclusive, identity-driven narratives—offering audiences who feel like outsiders a rare onscreen reflection, while betting that star power and emotional authenticity can redefine a classic genre.




