It has been 23 (!!) years since Matilda, the film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s novel was released, which is enough time to a) look back on how messed up the premise of the film actually was and b) wonder whatever happened to the film’s beloved teacher, Miss Honey.
In case you didn’t see the film (shame on you because it’s iconic), it follows the story of Matilda Wormwood, a gifted girl who is brought up in an abusive family. To make matters worse, Matilda is sent to a shocker of a school run by part-time principal, full-time bully Miss Trunchball. Spoiler alert: Matilda realises she has the power of telekinesis and can not only defend her friends from the wrath of Trunchball, but can also defend herself against her crappy parents.
Miss Honey, played by actress Embeth Davidtz, is Matilda’s sweet-as-pie teacher who not only takes an immediate liking to her pupil, but tries to get Matilda moved up a grade and even visits her parents to ask them to pay more attention to her. Second MAJOR spoiler alert: Miss Honey reveals that Miss Trunchball is actually her mum’s abusive step sister she was forced to live with after her father ‘mysteriously’ died. Later, she adopts Matilda and they live happily ever after.
It’s a cracker of a film, but it begs the question, what is Miss Honey AKA Embeth Davidtz up to now? Before Matilda, Davidtz appeared in a string of 90s films including Schindler’s List, Murder in the First and Feast of July.
After Matilda, the actress starred opposite Hollywood heavyweights like Denzel Washington, Anthony Hopkins and Kenneth Branagh in a bunch of different movies. However, it was Davidtz’s role opposite the late Robin Williams in Bicentennial Man that is sure to stir those nostalgic feels within.
Apparently, Davidtz also starred in recurring roles on Ray Donovan, Mad Men, Californication and Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Derek Shepherd’s sister. She even played parts in David Fincher’s adaptation of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and The Amazing Spider-Man as Peter Parker’s mother, which really shows how little I’m paying attention during movies.
Credit: The Cheat Sheet
Judging by her Instagram, Davidtz’s life is pretty great. She’s still acting, she’s a wife, mum, and an advocate for breast cancer awareness, having been diagnosed with the disease in 2013. Oh, and 23 years on from Matilda she still looks like the teacher we all wish we had growing up.