The Surprising Truth: How Old Are Elphaba And Glinda In Wicked? (Book Vs. Musical Vs. Movie)
The question of how old Elphaba and Glinda are in Wicked is one of the most frequently debated topics among fans of the beloved musical and Gregory Maguire’s original novel. As of December 2025, with the highly anticipated two-part film adaptation now in theaters, the characters' ages have become a central point of discussion, directly impacting how audiences perceive their rapid journey from college roommates to the iconic figures of Ozian legend.
While the musical’s creators have intentionally kept the exact ages ambiguous to focus on the "coming-of-age" themes, a consensus has emerged, particularly with new information from the movie's production. The short answer is that both characters are generally considered to be in their early twenties during the events of Wicked: Part One, but the full timeline reveals a dramatic age progression that is key to understanding their complete story.
The Definitive Ages of Elphaba and Glinda: A Comparison Across Adaptations
The age of the characters is one of the most significant differences between Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, the 2003 Broadway musical, and the two-part film directed by Jon M. Chu. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for any true Oz enthusiast, as the slight difference in years fundamentally changes the characters' maturity level and motivations.
The Musical and Film (The Early Twenties)
In the stage musical, and confirmed by director Jon M. Chu for the film, Elphaba Thropp and Glinda Upland are believed to be approximately 20 to 21 years old when they first arrive at Shiz University.
- The Shiz University Years: The first act of Wicked, which spans their time as roommates at Shiz, depicts a period of intense personal growth and youthful idealism. The casting of actors in their twenties and early thirties for the roles on Broadway and in the film—including Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande—supports the idea of them being young adults, navigating the complexities of their first time away from home.
- The Intentional Ambiguity: Composer Stephen Schwartz and book writer Winnie Holzman deliberately chose to age the characters up from the novel. This decision positions the story as a powerful "coming-of-age" narrative, where the characters are old enough to make life-altering decisions but still young enough to be naïve and easily influenced by powerful figures like The Wizard.
The Original Novel (The Late Teens)
Gregory Maguire’s novel, Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, paints a slightly younger picture of the heroines, which adds a layer of vulnerability to their initial experiences.
- Elphaba's Enrollment: In the book, Elphaba enrolls at Shiz University when she is 17 years old.
- Nessarose's Age: The novel also establishes a significant age gap between Elphaba and her sister, Nessarose, who is only 14 years old when she enrolls. This three-year difference is a key detail in the book that is largely minimized or removed in the musical adaptation, where Nessarose is often portrayed as closer in age to Elphaba and Glinda.
The difference between 17 and 20 may seem small, but it is significant in terms of legal adulthood, emotional maturity, and the weight of their eventual responsibilities. The musical and film lean into the drama of young adults finding their path, while the book emphasizes the loss of innocence for characters barely out of childhood.
The Crucial Time Jump: How Old Are They in Act II?
The events of Wicked do not happen overnight. The story spans a significant number of years, particularly between the end of Act I (the departure from Shiz and the Emerald City) and the climax of Act II (the events that lead directly into The Wizard of Oz). This time jump is essential to calculating their later ages.
The Years of Exile and Transformation
After the dramatic confrontation with The Wizard and Madame Morrible, Elphaba goes into exile, becoming the feared "Wicked Witch of the West." Glinda, meanwhile, rises to power as "Glinda the Good."
- The Musical's Timeline: While never explicitly stated, the time jump in the musical is generally estimated to be two to four years. This allows enough time for Elphaba's reputation to grow, for Fiyero to be transformed into the Scarecrow, and for Glinda to establish her role as a powerful figure in Oz.
- Estimated Act II Age: If they start at 20-21, they would be approximately 22 to 25 years old during the main events of Act II, including the arrival of Dorothy and the pivotal confrontation at Kiamo Ko. They are still relatively young women when their lives intersect with the events of The Wizard of Oz.
The Book's Final Age (A Broader Scope)
The novel's timeline is much more expansive and covers a greater portion of Elphaba's life, giving a starkly different final age.
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- Elphaba's Death: According to Gregory Maguire, Elphaba is much older when she meets her end. In the book, she is approximately 37 or 38 years old when she is melted by Dorothy Gale.
- Thematic Impact: This extended timeline in the book allows for a deeper exploration of Elphaba's political activism, her religious beliefs, and her long, frustrating struggle against The Wizard's regime. The musical condenses this timeline to maintain a faster pace and a tighter focus on the friendship between Elphaba and Glinda.
Why Their Ages Matter to the Story's Core Themes
The choice of age for Elphaba and Glinda is not arbitrary; it is a powerful thematic tool that drives the entire narrative. The story's success lies in its exploration of identity, friendship, and political corruption, all viewed through the lens of young adulthood.
The Coming-of-Age Arc
By making Elphaba and Glinda young adults (20-21 in the musical/film), the story becomes a classic "bildungsroman"—a novel or story of a character's moral and psychological growth.
- Vulnerability and Influence: Their youth makes them inherently vulnerable to the manipulations of authority figures like Madame Morrible and The Wizard. They are still forming their worldviews and are easily swayed by promises of power, fame, or acceptance.
- The Power of Friendship: The intensity of their bond, as explored in songs like "For Good," is amplified by the fact that they meet at a crucial, formative period of their lives. Their friendship is a crucible that shapes them into the women they become.
The Contrast with the Actors' Ages
The casting of the film further highlights the theme of youth and coming-of-age. While the characters are 20–21, the actors who play them—Cynthia Erivo (Elphaba) and Ariana Grande (Glinda)—are older, bringing a wealth of experience and emotional depth to roles that depict youthful exuberance and turmoil.
- Cynthia Erivo was 35 when filming began, and Ariana Grande was 29. Their mature performances help ground the characters' dramatic decisions, ensuring that their youthful naivety is believable without sacrificing the emotional weight of their choices.
Ultimately, whether you prefer the 17-year-olds of the book or the 20-year-olds of the musical and film, the story of Wicked is a timeless tale about two young women who are forced to grow up too quickly in a world that judges them for their differences. Their age is a constant reminder that the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good were once just two students at Shiz, trying to find their place in the world of Oz.
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