Spoiler Alert: This article contains spoilers for Wicked Part 1 and Wicked: Part 2!
ThroughoutWicked, Nessarose Thropp was seen by everybody as the complete opposite of her sister, Elphaba, so it was a surprise that she eventually became known to Oz as the Wicked Witch of the East. Portrayed by Marissa Bode and a supporting character inthe cast ofWicked, Nessarose is the younger sister of Elphaba and the younger daughter of Melena and Frixspar Thropp, who serves as the Governor of Munchkinland. Throughout the movie and musical adaptation, Nessarose strives to be seen past her disability and find true love during her stay at Shiz University.
Inone of several changes made to theWickedBroadway musical, the movie explores Elphaba’s childhood and her protectiveness over her younger sister, Nessarose. The movie offers an insight into how Elphaba uses her magic to protect Nessarose from bullies, but her magical outbursts typically leave her sister embarrassed.The siblings' conflicting relationship throughout the movie and Nessarose’s struggles to move away from her older sister play a pivotal part in Elphaba’s eventual transformation into the Wicked Witch of the West, but also in Nessarose also becoming known asone of the four witches ofThe Wizard of Oz.
Nessarose Gets Her Wicked Witch Of The East Name Because She’s Elphaba’s Sister
Nessarose Becomes Governor Of Munchkinland & Slowly Takes Away The Rights Of Munchkins
DuringWicked: Part 1,it’s revealed thatElphaba’s mother died giving birth to Nessarose; her premature birth and Melena’s consumption of milk flowers led to Nessarose being born paralyzed from the waist down. At Shiz University, Nessarose spends her time trying to attract the attention of Boq and also distancing herself from Elphaba.At the end ofWicked, Nessarose witnesses her father’s death from a heart attack.The story ofWicked: Part Twowill potentially see Nessarose take over as Governor of Munchinkinland, with Boq serving as her servant.
As depicted in theWickedmusical, Nessarose is determined to ensure Boq doesn’t leave her; to make sure he stays with her, she removes all rights of the Munchkins, and acts as a tyrannical ruler during her time as governor. Nessarose’s reign slowly turns all of Munchkinland against her.While Nessarose never gains attention using magical outbursts, her familial connection with Elphaba earns her the nickname the Wicked Witch of the East by the Munchkins.As seen inThe Wizard of Oz,Nessarose’s reign ends after she is crushed by Dorothy’s house, to the delight of the Munchkins.
Does Nessarose Become An Actual Witch With Magic Powers In Wicked 2?
Nessarose Casts A Spell To Keep Boq From Leaving Her
ThroughoutWicked, Nessarose doesn’t display any magic powersand maintains her focus on her studies and her relationship with Boq. While Nessarose never rises to become an actual witch like her sister, Elphaba, in Act 2 of the Broadway musical, there are hints that she has magic powers of her own. After Elphaba casts a spell onthe silver slippersto help her walk, Nessarose is thrilled and calls in Boq, believing he will be happy. Instead, she is shocked to learn Boq never loved her, and now plans to leave as he feels Nessarose doesn’t need him anymore.
Can Elphaba See The Future? What Wicked Hints About The Witch’s Powers
Throughout Wicked: Part 1, there are hints that Elphaba has certain powers as a witch, including the ability to potentially see into the future.
Heartbroken to learn Boq has always loved Glinda, Nessarose uses the Grimmerie to cast a spell to ensure Boq doesn’t leave her. However, she reads the incantation wrong and her spell causes Boq’s heart to shrink and eventually turn into the Tin Man;this shows that Nessarose has hints of magic, but since she was never trained to use it, like Elphaba, she has no control over its results.Nessarose’s magic spell will potentially be seen inthe second part of theWickedmovieand play an important part in her eventually becoming known as the Wicked Witch of the East in Oz.
Wicked
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
