{{Short description|Irish actress (born 2009)}} {{Use Hiberno-English|date=July 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox person | name = Alisha Weir | image = <!-- filename only, no "File:" or "Image:" prefix, and no enclosing brackets --> | alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software --> | caption = | birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name --> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2009|9|26|df=y}} | birth_place = Dublin, Ireland | occupation = Actress | years_active = 2017–present }} '''Alisha Weir''' (born 26 September 2009)<ref>{{Cite Instagram |postid=CxqaIMlM3bc |user=alishaweir123 |title=14 🌸🌸Thank you so much everyone for all your lovely messages 🥹🫶🏼 📸📸 @andybrown.photography |first=Alisha |last=Weir |author=Alisha Weir |date=September 26, 2023}}</ref> is an Irish actress, best known for her leading roles in the films ''Matilda the Musical'' (2022) and ''Abigail'' (2024); for the latter, she received a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Young Performer nomination. In April 2024, Weir was named in ''Forbes'' 30 Under 30.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Guerin |first=Harry |date=9 April 2024 |title=Irish star Alisha Weir, 14, on Forbes 30 Under 30 list |url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2024/0409/1442571-irish-star-alisha-weir-14-on-forbes-30-under-30-list/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240410112316/https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2024/0409/1442571-irish-star-alisha-weir-14-on-forbes-30-under-30-list/ |archive-date=10 April 2024 |access-date=10 April 2024 |website=RTÉ TEN}}</ref>
== Early life == Alisha Weir was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. She attended Our Lady's School and has two older sisters, both of whom participated in drama classes, inspiring her to pursue acting at a young age.<ref name="Britt-2022">{{Cite magazine |last=Britt |first=Tabitha |date=22 December 2022 |title=All About 'Matilda the Musical' Actress Alisha Weir |url=https://people.com/movies/all-about-alisha-weir-matilda-the-musical-actress/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230015737/https://people.com/movies/all-about-alisha-weir-matilda-the-musical-actress/ |archive-date=30 December 2022 |access-date=2 March 2022 |magazine=People}}</ref>
Her father manages a car dealership. She sat her Junior Cert exams in 2025.<ref name="Barter-2024">{{Cite news |last=Barter |first=Pavel |date=April 28, 2024 |title=Matilda star Alisha Weir: I'm back at school, I want to do my Junior Cert |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/matilda-star-alisha-weir-im-back-at-school-i-want-to-do-my-junior-cert-dm9g5jpc9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240428000729/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/matilda-star-alisha-weir-im-back-at-school-i-want-to-do-my-junior-cert-dm9g5jpc9 |archive-date=28 April 2024 |access-date=2024-05-13 |work=The Sunday Times |language=en |issn=0140-0460}}</ref>
== Career == Weir began her career in theatre, debuting as Ivanka in the musical ''Once'' at Dublin's Olympia Theatre in 2017. She gained attention for her singing talent on ''The Late Late Toy Show'', where she performed Justin Timberlake's cover of "True Colors".<ref name="Coyle-2021">{{Cite news |last=Coyle |first=Colin |date=17 January 2021 |title=Dublin actress Alisha Weir, 11, lands lead role in Netflix Matilda |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/dublin-actress-alisha-weir-11-lands-lead-role-in-netflix-matilda-wrm30j6q6 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210905181051/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/dublin-actress-alisha-weir-11-lands-lead-role-in-netflix-matilda-wrm30j6q6 |archive-date=5 September 2021 |access-date=19 April 2024 |work=The Sunday Times}}</ref>
Her feature film debut was in the 2018 thriller ''Don't Leave Home'', and she made her television debut as Laura in the 2019 crime drama ''Darklands''.<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 January 2023 |title=Dublin teen poised for stardom after a lead role in Netflix's 'Matilda the Musical' |url=https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/alisha-weir-matilda |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225014224/https://www.irishcentral.com/culture/entertainment/alisha-weir-matilda |archive-date=25 February 2023 |access-date=2 March 2023 |work=IrishCentral}}</ref> Weir has also appeared in stage productions of ''Annie'', ''The Wizard of Oz'', and ''Oliver!''.<ref name="Barter-2024" />
At eleven, Weir was cast as Matilda Wormwood in the Netflix adaptation of ''Matilda the Musical''.<ref name="Coyle-2021" /> She later starred in the 2024 horror film ''Abigail'', released on 19 April 2024. For this role, she trained in ballet and performed her own stunts. Critics praised her performance, with Frank Scheck of ''The Hollywood Reporter'' describing it as "mesmerising" and "frightening and sardonically funny".<ref name="Grobar-2024">{{Cite web |last=Grobar |first=Matt |date=2024-04-19 |title=Meet Alisha Weir, The 14-Year-Old Breakout Star Of Universal's Vampire Flick 'Abigail' |url=https://deadline.com/2024/04/alisha-weir-talks-abigail-transformation-saoirse-ronan-interview-1235890121/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Deadline |language=en-US |archive-date=22 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240422161003/https://deadline.com/2024/04/alisha-weir-talks-abigail-transformation-saoirse-ronan-interview-1235890121/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Weir is also set to voice the lead role in the animated feature ''The Land of Sometimes'', alongside Jessica Henwick and Ewan McGregor.<ref name="Yossman-2024">{{Cite web |last=Yossman |first=K.J. |date=8 May 2024 |title=Jessica Henwick, Alisha Weir Join Ewan McGregor in Animated Feature 'The Land of Sometimes' |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/global/jessica-henwick-alisha-weir-land-of-sometimes-animation-1235995528/ |website=Variety |access-date=8 May 2024 |archive-date=8 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508103236/https://variety.com/2024/film/global/jessica-henwick-alisha-weir-land-of-sometimes-animation-1235995528/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
Weir returned to theatre in September 2025 in a London production of ''Mary Page Marlowe'' in the title role, which she shared with four other actresses, Eleanor Worthington-Cox, Rosy McEwen, Andrea Riseborough and Susan Sarandon, at The Old Vic.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-14 |title=Full cast revealed for Mary Page Marlowe at the Old Vic – with a strong Matilda theme |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/full-cast-revealed-for-mary-page-marlowe-at-the-old-vic-with-a-strong-matilda-theme_1690567/ |access-date=2025-08-14 |language=en-US}}</ref> She previously starred alongside Riseborough in the Matilda the Musical film adaptation, while Eleanor originated Matilda in the original West End production and won a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance.
== Personal life == Weir resides with her parents in Knocklyon, South Dublin, and they have a pet dog.<ref name="Barter-2024" /> She enjoys films such as ''The Parent Trap'' and ''The Black Phone'', and she cites actress Saoirse Ronan as one of her idols.<ref name="Grobar-2024" />
== Filmography == === Film === {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | rowspan="2" | 2018 |''Don't Leave Home'' | Siobhan Callahan | |- |''Day Out'' | Rachael | Short film |- | 2020 |''Ooops! The Adventure Continues'' | Primrose (voice) | |- | 2022 |''Matilda the Musical'' | Matilda Wormwood | |- | 2023 |''Wicked Little Letters'' | Nancy Gooding | |- | rowspan="2" | 2024 |''Abigail'' | Abigail | |- |''Buffalo Kids'' | Mary (voice) | |- | TBA | ''The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes'' | TBA | Filming |}
=== Television === {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year !Title ! Role ! Notes |- | 2019 |''Darklands'' | Laura | 5 episodes |- | 2022 | ''Fia's Fairies'' | Fia (voice) | Main role |}
=== Stage === {| class="wikitable sortable" ! Year ! Title ! Role ! Notes |- | rowspan="2" | 2017 | ''Once''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishpost.com/news/teenage-irish-actress-alisha-weir-makes-prestigious-forbes-list-of-top-european-talent-270756|title=Teenage Irish actress Alisha Weir makes prestigious Forbes list of top European talent|first=Gerard|last=Donaghy|website=The Irish Post|access-date=8 May 2024|archive-date=8 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508103730/https://www.irishpost.com/news/teenage-irish-actress-alisha-weir-makes-prestigious-forbes-list-of-top-european-talent-270756|url-status=live}}</ref> | Ivanka | Olympia Theatre, Dublin |- | ''Annie''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sundayworld.com/showbiz/irish-showbiz/young-dublin-matilda-star-alisha-weir-to-grace-red-carpet-at-irish-premiere/961737894.html|title=Young Dublin Matilda star Alisha Weir to grace red carpet at Irish premiere|date=13 May 2024|website=SundayWorld.com|access-date=8 May 2024|archive-date=8 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240508103730/https://www.sundayworld.com/showbiz/irish-showbiz/young-dublin-matilda-star-alisha-weir-to-grace-red-carpet-at-irish-premiere/961737894.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | Molly | rowspan="3" | National Concert Hall, Dublin |- | 2018 | ''The Wizard of Oz''<ref name="Grobar-2024" /> | Munchkin |- | 2019 | ''Oliver!''<ref name="Barter-2024" /> | Chorus |- |2025 | ''Mary Page Marlowe''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-14 |title=Full cast revealed for Mary Page Marlowe at the Old Vic – with a strong Matilda theme |url=https://www.whatsonstage.com/news/full-cast-revealed-for-mary-page-marlowe-at-the-old-vic-with-a-strong-matilda-theme_1690567/ |access-date=2025-08-14 |language=en-US}}</ref> |Mary Page Marlowe |The Old Vic, London |}
== Awards and nominations == {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |- ! Year ! Award ! Category ! Work ! Result ! {{Ref heading}} |- | 2022 | Dublin Film Critics' Circle | Breakthrough Artist – Irish | rowspan="3" | ''Matilda the Musical'' | {{won}} | <ref>{{Cite web |last=Neglia |first=Matt |date=15 December 2022 |title=The 2022 Dublin Film Critics Circle (DFCC) Winners |url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2022-dublin-film-critics-circle-dfcc-winners/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221215201815/https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2022-dublin-film-critics-circle-dfcc-winners/ |archive-date=15 December 2022 |access-date=30 January 2023 |website=Next Best Picture |language=en-US}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | 2023 | London Film Critics' Circle | Young British/Irish Performer of the Year | {{nom}} | <ref>{{Cite web |last=Ritman |first=Alex |date=21 December 2022 |title='Banshees of Inisherin', 'Aftersun' Top London Critics' Circle Nominations |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/london-critics-circle-awards-nominations-2023-1235285968/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222001519/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/london-critics-circle-awards-nominations-2023-1235285968/ |archive-date=22 December 2022 |access-date=22 December 2022 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> |- | Irish Film & Television Awards | Lead Actress – Film | {{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite news |last=Clarke |first=Donald |date=7 March 2023|title=Irish Film & Television Awards 2023: The Banshees of Inisherin and Aisha top nominations |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/2023/03/07/irish-film-television-awards-2023-the-banshees-of-inisherin-and-aisha-top-nominations/ |access-date=16 May 2024 |newspaper=The Irish Times |language=en}}</ref> |- |2024 |''Fangoria'' Chainsaw Awards |Best Supporting Performance | rowspan="4" |''Abigail'' |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Melanson |first=Angel |date=2024-07-08 |title=The Wait Is Over: Here Are The 2024 FANGORIA CHAINSAW AWARDS Nominees |url=https://www.fangoria.com/2024-fangoria-chainsaw-awards-nominees/ |access-date=2024-12-14 |website=Fangoria.com |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2025 |Critics' Choice Movie Awards |Best Young Performer |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Greg |date=2024-12-12 |title='Conclave' And 'Wicked' Lead Critics Choice Awards Film Nominations – Full List |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/critics-choice-awards-2024-film-nominations-1236201448/ |access-date=2024-12-13 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> |- |2025 |Saturn Awards |Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Film |{{nom}} | |- |2025 |IFTA Film & Drama Awards |Lead Actress – Film |{{nom}} | |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name|id=nm10341836}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Weir, Alisha}} Category:2009 births Category:Living people Category:Actresses from County Dublin Category:Irish child actresses Category:Irish film actresses Category:Irish television actresses Category:Irish voice actresses Category:People from South Dublin (county) Category:21st-century Irish actresses