The Two Faces Of Miss Honey: How Embeth Davidtz And Lashana Lynch Redefined The Iconic Matilda Teacher
Miss Honey is arguably the purest heart in the entire Roald Dahl universe, a beacon of kindness and a powerful mentor who rescues the genius Matilda Wormwood from a life of neglect and cruelty. The character of Miss Jennifer Honey has transcended the original book, becoming a cultural touchstone through two major film adaptations: the beloved 1996 classic directed by Danny DeVito and the vibrant 2022 Netflix musical adaptation, *Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical*. As of December 2025, the legacy of this inspirational teacher remains a hot topic, especially with the original actress, Embeth Davidtz, making headlines with her new directorial projects, and Lashana Lynch's modern, nuanced portrayal continuing to spark conversation about the character's depth and resilience.
The stark difference between Embeth Davidtz's gentle, ethereal portrayal and Lashana Lynch's grounded, subtly powerful performance offers a fascinating look at how a beloved literary figure can be reinterpreted for a new generation. Both actresses brought unique gravitas to the role, transforming Miss Honey from a quiet victim into a true survivor. This article dives deep into the lives and careers of the two women who gave Miss Honey her cinematic soul, exploring their recent projects and the lasting impact of their work on the *Matilda* film franchise.
The Biographies: Embeth Davidtz (1996) and Lashana Lynch (2022)
To truly appreciate their portrayals of Miss Honey, it is essential to look at the diverse careers and backgrounds of the two talented actresses who took on the role of Matilda's kind teacher.
Embeth Davidtz (Miss Honey, 1996 Film)
- Full Name: Embeth Jean Davidtz
- Date of Birth: August 11, 1965
- Place of Birth: Lafayette, Indiana, USA (Raised in South Africa)
- Nationality: South African-American
- Notable Roles: Helen Hirsch in *Schindler's List* (1993), Miss Honey in *Matilda* (1996), Mary Crawford in *Mansfield Park* (1999), and Natasha in *Bridget Jones's Diary* (2001).
- Recent Work (2024-2025): Davidtz has recently transitioned to directing. Her directorial debut, a powerful film adaptation of the memoir *Don't Let's Go to the Dogs Tonight*, has garnered significant attention, with interviews and festival appearances throughout 2024 and 2025.
- *Matilda* Legacy: Her portrayal is often cited as the definitive Miss Honey, known for her gentle demeanor, quiet strength, and ethereal beauty. In recent years, Davidtz expressed being touched by a viral TikTok trend where students honored their teachers using a voiceover from her *Matilda* performance.
Lashana Lynch (Miss Honey, 2022 Musical Film)
- Full Name: Lashana Rasheda Lynch
- Date of Birth: November 27, 1987
- Place of Birth: Hammersmith, London, England
- Nationality: British
- Notable Roles: Rosaline Capulet in the TV series *Still Star-Crossed* (2017), Maria Rambeau in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (reprising the role in *Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness*), Nomi (007) in *No Time to Die* (2021), and Izogie in *The Woman King* (2022).
- Recent Work (2024-2025): Lynch continues to be a major force in Hollywood, giving interviews in 2024 about her diverse roles, including her experience as Miss Honey. She also discussed the financial struggles she faced early in her career, emphasizing the importance of her work in films like *Matilda the Musical*.
- *Matilda* Legacy: Her portrayal brought a fresh, grounded, and slightly more contemporary feel to the character, showcasing her singing talent in songs like "My House" and "The Flowers." Lynch also revealed in an interview that she discovered a subtle queer subtext in the character, adding a new layer of depth to the beloved teacher.
The Two Miss Honeys: A Contrast in Compassion and Resilience
The character of Miss Honey, or Miss Jennifer Honey, is a complex one, serving as the central figure of redemption and hope in the story. She is a woman who, despite being a victim of severe psychological and financial abuse by her cruel aunt, Miss Agatha Trunchbull, still manages to maintain a reservoir of kindness and a deep love for teaching. The two film adaptations—the 1996 version directed by Danny DeVito and the 2022 musical directed by Matthew Warchus—offered two distinct interpretations of this enduring figure.
Embeth Davidtz's Ethereal and Gentle Protector (1996)
Embeth Davidtz's Miss Honey is defined by her quiet vulnerability and almost saintly patience. In the 1996 film, she lives in a rustic, dilapidated cottage, a physical manifestation of her poverty and her disconnection from the wealthy, abusive world of Crunchem Hall. Davidtz’s performance leans heavily into the character’s gentle nature, making her the perfect emotional foil to the bombastic, over-the-top villainy of Pam Ferris's Miss Trunchbull.
Her Miss Honey is the quintessential mentor, a mild and quiet person who is seldom seen to smile, yet her warmth radiates through every interaction with Matilda. Her story is one of enduring trauma—a common thread for adult survivors of childhood abuse—but also of the profound power of a teacher's love. The moment she invites Matilda to her cottage and shares her tragic backstory, the bond between the two is cemented, culminating in Matilda using her powers to help Miss Honey reclaim her inheritance and her family home.
Lashana Lynch's Grounded and Powerful Survivor (2022)
Lashana Lynch’s portrayal in *Matilda the Musical* is a powerful, modern reinterpretation. While still deeply kind, her Miss Honey is less fragile and more grounded, possessing a quiet inner strength that feels more resilient from the outset. Lynch, known for her strong roles in films like *The Woman King* and *No Time to Die*, brings a subtle heroism to the teacher, making her a formidable emotional protector for Matilda.
The musical format allows Lynch to express Miss Honey’s inner life through song. Her performance of "My House" is a poignant moment, showcasing the simple beauty of her life in the cottage and the shared emotional connection she finds with Alisha Weir's Matilda Wormwood. Furthermore, Lynch spoke about feeling a deep sense of responsibility and protectiveness over the children on set, extending the "Miss Honey" role beyond the camera. This modern take on Miss Honey, a woman of color and a proven action star, adds a significant layer to the character's narrative, emphasizing that true strength is not always loud, but often found in quiet, unwavering compassion.
The Enduring Legacy of Miss Honey's Kindness
The core of the Miss Honey character, regardless of the actress, is the transformative power of a positive adult influence. In a story filled with caricature villains like Miss Trunchbull and the neglectful Wormwood parents, Miss Honey is the embodiment of hope and a safe haven. She is the adult who recognizes Matilda's extraordinary genius and, crucially, validates her worth.
The character’s narrative arc is a powerful exploration of adult survivors. Miss Honey's initial meekness is a direct result of the psychological abuse she suffered at the hands of her aunt, who forced her to sign away her inheritance and live in extreme poverty. Her journey is not just about helping Matilda; it is about her own reclamation of self and her home, the beloved cottage that represents her independence.
Both films ultimately deliver the same satisfying ending: Miss Honey adopts Matilda, finally giving the brilliant child the loving family she deserves and gaining a daughter who helps her conquer her past. This final act—the adoption—is the ultimate proof that kindness, intelligence, and resilience triumph over cruelty and neglect. Whether you prefer the gentle, 1996 classic or the vibrant, musical adaptation of 2022, the message remains the same: a single, kind teacher can change a child's entire world.
Topical Authority Entities and LSI Keywords
The deep dive into Miss Honey’s character is built upon a foundation of key entities from the *Matilda* universe and the films themselves. These include: Roald Dahl, Miss Trunchbull, Matilda Wormwood, Crunchem Hall, the Wormwood family, Jennifer Honey, the 1996 film, the 2022 musical adaptation, Danny DeVito, Matthew Warchus, Mara Wilson, Alisha Weir, Pam Ferris, Emma Thompson, Miss Honey's cottage, the song "My House," *The Woman King*, *Schindler's List*, and *No Time to Die*. The contrast between the two portrayals ensures a rich discussion of topical authority within the *Matilda* film and literary canon.
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