'Fifty Shades of Grey' movie casting: Top ten actresses to play Anastasia Steele

Felicity Jones is one actress who may be interested in moving from the 2011 set of “Like Crazy” to the Red Room of Pain, as she is another top front-runner for the part of Ana. Described by the Business Insider as having that “perfect split between sensual and sensitive,” Jones certainly is an actress who has the natural look of Ana.Felicity Jones has also revealed she might be “down” for the “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie female lead, as she said she’d have no issue going nude for a role such as Ana’s, which Christian Grey would certainly not object toThis “Game of Thrones” star is another top pick of many for the part of Anastasia Steele, particularly after the gifted actress made it quite clear she has no issue being nude on-screen as Princess Daenerys on the aforementioned hit TV show. Emilia Clarke has been another popular casting choice in quite a few polls, often ranking in the top five along with Alexis Bledel, Alexandra Daddario, and Felicity Jones. It would certainly be interesting to see this "dragon queen" of the Targaryen empire try her hand as the innocent Ana.From her Ana Steele-esque looks and talented acting, many “Fifty Shades” fans see Alexis Bledel as their Anastasia Steele. Although she has received some criticism for being too old for the role, Bledel has continued to win many casting polls, and has been described by Fans Share as having “seductive blue eyes and a stance that binds awkward charm and sex appeal, which is perfect for Ana.”"The way Alexis Bledel expresses herself is also not far from the way intelligent literature graduate Anastasia would carry regular conversations," they add, keeping Alexis certainly smiling for the role.View the list »
First 'real' sketch of Ana Steele by artist

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While the “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie fandom is often focused on casting that perfect Christian Grey, readers of E.L. James’ bestselling erotic novel are also well aware that there is no love affair without a certain Anastasia Steele. From Fans Share reporting this Friday, Feb. 1, that Emilia Clarke has been gaining more and more support from fans to the The Stir revealing yesterday that even “American Idol” stars are naming their children with “Fifty Shades”-inspired names, the role of Christian’s innocent lover is of almost equal importance to the upcoming film.

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Quite a few names have been thrown out for the casting of Ana Steele, from Kristen Stewart — who E.L. James revealed would not be cast along with Robert Pattinson for their roles in “Twilight” — to Alexis Bledel of “Gilmore Girls.” With no confirmed casting from the “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie team forthcoming until a director is found and screenplay finished, it may still be some time before we find an Anastasia to pair with our top ten Christian Grey casting choices.

Though no in-depth descriptions of Anastasia Steele were given in “Fifty Shades of Grey,” we do get a fairly good look at Ana’s physical appearance from E.L. James. Ana is described as a pale and brunette young woman with “blue eyes too big for her face.” She is said to be pretty but insecure about her slim, petite figure. (Not that Christian Grey is complaining, of course.) In the bonus material given from “Fifty Shades Freed,” Anastasia is also described with chestnut hair and powder-blue eyes.

Here is the top ten list for casting Anastasia Steele in the “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie. These are all actresses who have either shown interest in the role or been a favorite of many fans, performing well in the casting polls. Please be aware that there are many talented starlets not mentioned here who also have a fair chance to play Ana, from Mila Kunis and Emma Roberts to Shailene Woodley and Katherine McPhee.

“Fifty Shades” fans, who do you see as your Anastasia Steele?

For the most recent “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie updates and casting news, please feel welcome to follow Ryan on Twitter or subscribe to his Facebook community page, Novels into Film Examiner.

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  • From her Ana Steele-esque looks and talented acting, many “Fifty Shades” fans see Alexis Bledel as their Anastasia Steele. Although she has received some criticism for being too old for the role, Bledel has continued to win many casting polls, and has been described by Fans Share as having “seductive blue eyes and a stance that binds awkward charm and sex appeal, which is perfect for Ana.”"The way Alexis Bledel expresses herself is also not far from the way intelligent literature graduate Anastasia would carry regular conversations," they add, keeping Alexis certainly smiling for the role.
  • This “Game of Thrones” star is another top pick of many for the part of Anastasia Steele, particularly after the gifted actress made it quite clear she has no issue being nude on-screen as Princess Daenerys on the aforementioned hit TV show. Emilia Clarke has been another popular casting choice in quite a few polls, often ranking in the top five along with Alexis Bledel, Alexandra Daddario, and Felicity Jones. It would certainly be interesting to see this "dragon queen" of the Targaryen empire try her hand as the innocent Ana.
  • Felicity Jones is one actress who may be interested in moving from the 2011 set of “Like Crazy” to the Red Room of Pain, as she is another top front-runner for the part of Ana. Described by the Business Insider as having that “perfect split between sensual and sensitive,” Jones certainly is an actress who has the natural look of Ana.Felicity Jones has also revealed she might be “down” for the “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie female lead, as she said she’d have no issue going nude for a role such as Ana’s, which Christian Grey would certainly not object to
  • With her on-screen chemistry alongside the talented Matt Bomer (another top Christian Grey contender), Alexandra Daddario remains a very possible Ana Steele in the eyes of fans. With her good looks and innocent charm, Alexandra Daddario is also one of the few actresses that have spoken out about the casting rumors of “Fifty Shades.” (She also hinted her favorite Christian Grey's, including Alexander Skarsgard and again Matt Bomer.)Back in 2012, Alexandra revealed she “hadn’t read the ’50 Shades’ trilogy just yet … but it was on [her] to-do list,” and that the role of Ana sounded “awesome,” so fans would do well to keep this blue-eyed beauty in mind as well.
  • Younger than some of the other actresses on the list (yet closer, in fact, to Ana’s real age in the novels), Lucy Hale is another talented starlet who has a real chance to be cast as Anastasia Steele. She is notable for having expressed an interest in the “Fifty Shades” role very early on in the series, and is a confirmed reader of E.L. James’ excellent trilogy.Described as looking “almost uncannily similar to the sketch photo of Ana Steele in many of her pictures,” by the IB Times and often doing well in fan voting polls, the lip-biting Lucy of “Pretty Little Liars” fame may be one who has to sign her contract soon with Christian if cast by the film team.
  • Amanda Seyfried has one major advantage in her favor in terms of the “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie: she has quite a bit of acting experience behind her, and from her part in roles like “Dear John,” can certainly pull of the love interest in a romantic film.Though the blonde starlet is often not as popular in the polls with such actresses as Alexis or Emilia, Amanda Seyfried has still been a fan favorite of some “Fifty Shades” fans, particularly after a hit fan “Fifty Shades of Grey” movie trailer took off with her starring as Ana alongside Garrett Hedlund as Christian Grey last year.
  • Some fans may not want any linking between “Twilight” and “Fifty Shades of Grey,” though Ashley Greene remains an actress supported by many a fan who want to see her as Anastasia Steele.Having recently  made a name for herself in the casting polls, Ashley Greene did reveal in an interview at the Young Hollywood Awards that she is “obsessed” with “Fifty Shades of Grey,” so the beautiful vampire may be interested in sinking her fangs into the Ana Steele role sometime in the future.
  • Though she may best be known as a lovely vampire on “The Vampire Diaries,” Nina Dobrev is another actress that is undoubtedly considered by some fans as Ana, particularly since she is dating Christian Grey fan favorite Ian Somerhalder. Nina does have the looks, petite frame, and complexity of character needed for Anastasia Steele on-screen, but she does face one little challenge for the role.EL James has admitted she’s a fan of “The Vampire Diaries,” but couldn’t see both Ian Somerhalder and Nina Dobrev as Christian and Ana due to their romantic relationship on the hit TV series, so we may only get to settle for one vampire in the Red Room of Pain.
  • From Hermione Granger in the “Harry Potter” movies to standout actress in “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” Emma Watson has come a long way. Although the rumors that Emma was going to be cast as Anastasia Steele were certainly blown out of proportion last year, the British starlet did admit she wanted to take on “deeper, more risqué” roles in the future, and would be interested in the role if Ryan Gosling was cast as Christian Grey.Be aware, fans, that if Emma’s interest in more risqué roles continues, we may find her weaving her magic around us to be cast as Anastasia Steele before long. 
  • A relative newcomer for the role of Anastasia Steele, Lauren Watson rounds out our list as an actress who has voiced a real interested in playing the part of Ana. The rising starlet is looking for that big role to find a name for herself on the film scene, and has a love for the “Fifty Shades” novels standing behind her.“Yes, I’ve reall all the books! I was just hooked,” Lauren revealed late in 2012. “Ana’s definitely a role I would consider.”For the Top Ten Christian Grey casting list, please feel welcome to check out the actors that most fans want to see play the BDSM-loving billionaire.For the Top Ten Mrs. Robinson and Mia Grey castings, you can check them out here. For the most recent Kate Kavanagh and Elliot Grey list from fans, please feel welcome to check them out here as well.The "Fifty Shades of Grey" movie is expected to hit theaters in 2014, so stay tuned!
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Ryan Arciero is a junior studying English and Secondary Education at Lewis University in Illinois. Ryan is very excited to be joining Examiner.com as the Orland Park Literature Examiner. An avid reader with a passion for books, Ryan has experience writing for newspapers, completing his first YA...

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