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Christine Baranski can really sing her way through a glass of wine. But before her classy performance in Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration went viral, Baranski was sipping chardonnay and singing ABBA tunes for the Mamma Mia! films. To honor the birthday of this legend, I’m here to tell you why she’s the real icon of the Mamma Mia franchise. Grab a glass of wine, throw on a glittery beach dress, and let’s celebrate Christine Baranski.
For those who aren’t as familiar with the Mamma Mia universe, both films follow Donna (Meryl Streep), her daughter Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), and the three men who could be Sophie’s dad. Baranski plays Tanya, Donna’s longtime friend and singing partner, in both Mamma Mia films. Tanya is the perfect foil to Donna’s madness, well-equipped with sarcastic comments and enough wine to inebriate the entire Greek island they’re visiting.
She’s the snazzy wine aunt we’ve always pined for, the one we’ve needed on those hectic family vacations. She’s definitely got the wardrobe: those floppy canvas hats and oversized sunglasses are back in style. You won’t catch her without red lipstick, and she’d probably let you borrow some in case you forgot to pack yours. While many women fear short bangs, Aunt Tanya will show you how it’s done. She’s got perfect hair. Tired of family affairs? Have a drink with Aunt T and pour your heart out.
It’s not all about the drinking, though. There are so many dance numbers in both Mamma Mia and Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again — but without even the slightest hesitation, I can tell you that the clear winner of both films is Baranski. Even the epic “Super Trouper” dance number at the end of Here We Go Again doesn’t live up to Baranski’s show-stopping scene in the first film. It’s jaw-dropping. It’s inspirational. Tanya sings “Does Your Mother Know?” with a young pool boy, flaunting an exquisite hot red bathing suit and lipstick combo. She may be older than all the dancers, but she’s got bite.
And then — in case you were worried she was only a one-hit wonder — she ices the cake with her performance in the sequel. With her best friend Rosie (Julie Walters) and Sophie, Tanya takes the lead for “Angel Eyes.” Of all the ABBA covers, this one’s the most underrated. Sophie, Rosie, and Tanya complain about men over some cake, dancing around the island. New life goal: gossip with Christine Baranski through song in Greece.
If there’s one gripe to be made about the sequel, it’s that there’s not enough Baranski. This is a nitpick, though, because there’s so much to love about Here We Go Again. The film is split up between the OG cast in present-day, and flashback sequences with the characters in their younger years. Yes, we even get a young Tanya. She’s played by Jessica Keenan Wynn, who embodies the spirit of Baranski in all her glory. Their joint work in the sequel solidifies that Tanya truly is the best Mamma Mia character of them all.
But ultimately, no one does it like Baranski. She’s shown her prowess in singing, drinking, and adding a little extra pizazz to the Mamma Mia series, and everything she does. After you rewatch her performance of “Ladies who Lunch” for Sondheim 90, treat yourself to a little Mamma Mia marathon — especially since Here We Go Again is finally available to stream on HBO. Happy birthday to the queen of all things beach fashion and red lipstick.
