Elvis Presley may have been famous as a performer, but his romance with Priscilla Presley attracted lots of intrigue on its own.
Their story has been depicted several times on screen and will soon unfold again, with a focus on Mrs. Presley, in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla, hitting theaters Nov. 3. Starring Jacob Elordi as Elvis and Cailee Spaeny as the titular character, the film is based on Priscilla’s 1985 memoir Elvis and Me.
From Season Hubley’s portrayal opposite Kurt Russell in 1979’s Elvis to Cailee Spaeny’s new take, here are all the actresses who have stepped into the role of Priscilla Presley.
01. Cailee Spaeny in Priscilla (2023)
Cailee Spaeny in Priscilla. Cailee Spaeny is the latest actress to step into the role of the Presley family’s matriarch. At the world premiere of the film during the Venice Film Festival in September, Spaeny opened up about the experience of watching the movie alongside the real-life woman she portrayed.
“I think the thing that was most touching to me, also terrifying [was] to be watching the movie with Priscilla Presley right next to me,” Spaeny told The Hollywood Reporter.
“But at the end, I think she felt really moved by it,” she continued of Priscilla’s reaction to the film. “She looked at me and she said, ‘That was a great performance,’ and that was the first time hearing that, which was — it’s just been absolutely surreal.”
02. Olivia DeJonge in Elvis (2022)
Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla Presley, Austin Butler as Elvis Presley. In Baz Luhrmann’s 2022 Elvis biopic, Olivia DeJonge played Priscilla across Austin Butler’s Oscar-nominated performance as The King. Like the 2023 film, Priscilla herself gave the film high remarks telling Good Morning America: “I’m sitting there watching this movie and going ‘god I wish he could see this. It was perfection.”
During the sit-down, where she was also joined by DeJonge, Priscilla admitted that while it is “strange” to have someone portray her, she was happy with her take.
“I’m so happy that she was sensitive and that she was caring and that she was a little strong with him as well, and you know, I thought she did a really, really nice job, I was pleasantly surprised,” Priscilla said.
DeJonge said hearing Priscilla’s review of her performance was a “huge relief.”
“Within my research, it was so evident the amount of love and care and sensitivity that was there, so I’m very glad that that came through,” the actress explained.
03. Antonia Bernath in Elvis (2005)
Elvis Presley (Jonathan Rhys Meyers) and Priscilla (Antonia Bernath) on their wedding day. For the 2005 Emmy-nominated miniseries, Elvis, Antonia Bernath played Priscilla opposite Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ Elvis. In the movie, which chronicled the singer’s early years and his launch into fame, Rose McGowan plays Ann-Margret, Randy Quaid is Tom Parker, Camryn Manheim as Gladys Presley, and Robert Patrick as Vernon Presley.
04. Susan Walters in Elvis & Me ( 1988)
Dale Midkiff and Susan Walters in Elvis and Me. 2023’s Priscilla is hardly the first adaptation of the 1985 memoir. A miniseries with the same name was released in 1988, and Susan Walters portrayed Priscilla while Dale Midkiff portrayed Elvis.
05. Season Hubley in Elvis (1979)
Kurt Russell as Elvis Presley, Season Hubley promotional photo for the ABC tv movie ‘Elvis’. In the 1979 TV movie, Elvis, Kurt Russell portrays the “Jailhouse Rock” performer while Season Hubley plays Priscilla. The film was well-received, earning a Golden Globe nomination for best television movie and three Emmy nods including outstanding lead actor in a limited series or special for Russell’s performance.