Two actresses. One legendary set. The result? A performance pairing that people are still talking about years later.
Meryl Streep and Florence Pugh brought something genuinely electric to Greta Gerwig’s Little Women (2019), and their dynamic, both on-screen and behind the scenes, made the film unforgettable.
If you’re here to see how these two worlds collided and what made their collaboration so memorable, you’re in the right place.
Scroll through photos, moments, and stories that show exactly why this duo became one of Hollywood’s most talked-about pairs.
When Aunt March Met Amy: The Roles That Brought Them Together
Greta Gerwig’s Little Women (2019) featured a remarkable cast, with Meryl Streep and Florence Pugh as major parts of much of the film’s praise, along with Ronan, Dern, Chalamet, and Gerwig for their success.
Streep played Aunt March, the sharp-tongued wealthy aunt of the March sisters.
She personally requested the role, telling Gerwig over lunch: “I’ll be the battle-ax. Write me a good Aunt March.” Pugh took on Amy March, the youngest sister, from age 12 into adulthood. Gerwig cast her after watching her performance in Lady Macbeth (2016).
The film opened in late December of 2019, grossed $218 million worldwide, and received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture.
Quick Facts About Their Connection
Here’s a snapshot of everything you need to know about Streep and Pugh’s connection at a glance.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Films they appeared in together | Little Women (2019), directed by Greta Gerwig |
| Meryl Streep’s role | Aunt March, the March sisters’ wealthy, opinionated aunt |
| Florence Pugh’s role | Amy March, the youngest and most ambitious March sister |
| How Streep got her role | She personally requested it from Gerwig over lunch |
| Pugh’s age at Oscar nomination | 24, making her one of the youngest nominees in her category |
| Award Pugh received | Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress |
| Box office gross | $218 million worldwide |
| Streaming availability | Netflix (US) |
| One of the most widely shared BTS stories | Streep ordered Wendy’s to set; Timothée Chalamet shared the group selfie |
| Script contribution | Streep’s words inspired Amy’s marriage monologue, used “basically verbatim” by Gerwig |
The Scene Streep Helped Write
Image Source: Vox
Amy March’s monologue to Laurie about marriage and financial dependence is one of the most powerful scenes in Little Women, and it traces back to a lunch conversation between Meryl Streep and Greta Gerwig.
Streep explained to Gerwig how little freedom women had in the 1860s: upon marrying, a husband would own everything his wife had, including her children.
Gerwig later told attendees at the Teen Vogue Summit in Los Angeles that she took the dialogue “basically verbatim” from that conversation.
Florence Pugh delivered it on screen with real conviction, and it became one of the scenes most cited by critics when praising the film’s modern edge.
The Wendy’s Fries Story Fans Still Remember
Image Source: Sensacine
One of the most shared stories involving the cast is the Wendy’s fries moment. Florence Pugh has told talk-show hosts that Meryl Streep wanted fries while filming Little Women in cold weather.
The story became popular because it feels funny and human. Streep is often seen as one of the most respected actors in film, so hearing a casual food story from set made fans smile.
It also gave viewers a small peek at the cast’s mood between takes. For many people, that story is why they search for clips of Pugh talking about Streep.
Florence Pugh on Working With Meryl Streep
Image Source: Ndr
Florence Pugh has been candid about how surreal it felt to work alongside Meryl Streep. The behind-the-scenes moment she’s talked about most is the Wendy’s story.
Filming took place outdoors in cold Massachusetts weather, and Streep requested fast food between takes.
Timothée Chalamet shared a selfie of the whole group, including Streep, Pugh, Chalamet, and director Greta Gerwig, happily eating French fries in full period costume. Pugh recounted the story in multiple interviews and said the whole experience felt completely unreal.
Gerwig also noted that Pugh and Saoirse Ronan spent much of a food scene eating real bowls of ice cream on set.
What Does Their Relationship On and Off-Screen Look Like?
Image Source: IMDB
Off-screen, Meryl Streep and Florence Pugh have no family connection at all. They are co-stars who first met during the production of Little Women in 2019.
Pugh was between 22 and 23 at the time; Streep was 69. Despite the age gap, Pugh has described the working relationship as warm, calling the experience humbling and surreal in multiple interviews.
On screen, the two play aunt and niece: Streep as the sharp-tongued Aunt March and Pugh as the ambitious Amy March.
That fictional bond gave their shared scenes a natural weight, making them among the most memorable in the film.
The Awards Recognition That Followed
The performances in Little Women didn’t go unnoticed by awards bodies on either side of the Atlantic.
| Award / Recognition | Detail |
|---|---|
| Academy Award nominations | 6 total, including Best Picture |
| Florence Pugh’s Oscar nod | Best Supporting Actress (age 24, one of the youngest nominees) |
| Florence Pugh’s BAFTA nod | Best Supporting Actress |
| Film’s only Oscar win | Best Costume Design (Jacqueline Durran) |
| Meryl Streep’s career Oscar record | 21 nominations total (3 wins); the most of any performer in history |
| Meryl Streep’s Golden Globe record | 34 nominations (8 wins); also a record |
| Ensemble recognition | Both Streep and Pugh were part of the cast’s Best Ensemble wins at the Boston Online Film Critics Association and GAFCA Awards |
| Rotten Tomatoes score | 95% based on 439 reviews |
| Pugh’s 2019 triple release | Fighting with My Family, Midsommar, and Little Women |
Where to Watch Meryl Streep and Florence Pugh in Little Women
Image Source: Csfd
If you haven’t seen the film yet, or you’re ready to watch it again, Little Women (2019) is currently available to stream on Netflix in the US. It runs 135 minutes and is rated PG.
For fans who want to go deeper, there are several interviews worth tracking down:
- Florence Pugh’s appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (December 2019), where she discussed working with Streep
- The Fortune magazine “For Your Consideration” Q&A featuring Streep, Pugh, Ronan, Chalamet, Dern, and Gerwig together
- Florence Pugh’s appearance on The Graham Norton Show (October 2024), where the Wendy’s story came up again
Wrapping Up
Meryl Streep and Florence Pugh brought two very different generations of talent to the same set, and the result was one of the most talked-about pairings in recent Hollywood history.
Streep helped shape the script, Pugh delivered it on screen, and together they made Little Women something audiences keep coming back to.
If you’ve seen the film, you already know which scenes stand out.
If you haven’t, it’s streaming on Netflix right now and well worth your time. Either way, drop a comment below and let us know your favorite Streep and Pugh moment from the film.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Directed Little Women (2019)?
Greta Gerwig wrote and directed the film. It was her second solo directorial effort, following her critically praised debut, Lady Bird (2017).
How Old is Florence Pugh?
Florence Pugh was born on January 3, 1996, making her 29 years old as of 2025. She was 23 during filming.
Who Else Starred in Little Women Alongside Meryl Streep and Florence Pugh?
The ensemble cast included Saoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Watson, Eliza Scanlen, and Laura Dern as Marmee.
