Summary

• Greek culture, family dynamics, and love are central themes in the
  My Big Fat Greek Wedding
  trilogy.
• Toula’s journey to embrace her heritage and marry Ian is at the heart of the immensely popular rom-com series.
• The films showcase not only the humorous side of Greek American life but also the deep bonds within the Portokalos family.

Much of My Big Fat Greek Wedding hinges on just how massive Toula Portokalos’ (Nia Vardalos) brood is, which only makes the Portokalos/Miller family tree more than a tad complicated. Penned by Vardalos, the first entry in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding movie trilogy is based on the writer and star’s one-woman 45-minute monologue workshop. After fellow Greek actor Rita Wilson and her husband, Tom Hanks, saw Vardalos’ show, the Hollywood couple produced the 2002 film, which sees an aimless Toula falling in love with Ian Miller (John Corbett), all while coming into her own.

Much to her giant, ever-prying family’s dismay, Toula’s true love isn’t Greek. For the Portokalos clan, and especially Toula’s father, Gus (Michael Constantine), the cultural divide seems insurmountable. If anything, Toula’s family is proud to be Greek — and are dead-set on making her feel the same way. As Toula comes to terms with her heritage, her family acclimates to the idea of Toula marrying Ian. One of the highest-grossing rom-coms and indie films of all time, My Big Fat Greek Wedding earned a staggering $368.7 million against a $5 million budget, and spawned a franchise.

Ian Miller Is Toula’s Husband

John Corbett

After meeting briefly in Toula’s family diner, Ian Miller and his future wife don’t see each other again for a few months. Mortified at her inability to be confident in front of Ian, Toula finds herself a tad more confident when Ian happens upon her at the family travel agency. While the couple hit it off immediately, Toula is more than nervous to introduce Ian to her family, as they’re always in her business. Eventually, Ian becomes part of the Portokalos clan, with Gus and the others realizing just how much the ever-supportive Ian loves Toula.

Maria Portokalos Is Toula’s Mother

Lainie Kazan

Toula’s mother, Maria, may seem like a homemaker who merely falls in line with what her husband, Gus, thinks. However, in one of My Big Fat Greek Wedding‘s best quotes, Maria reveals that she’s the family’s “neck” — and, as such, she can “turn the head any way she likes.” Warm and loving, Maria wants what’s best for her three children, especially Toula, whose life path isn’t quite what Gus envisioned. In the sequel, Maria’s comedic chops shine when she becomes the titular nuptials’ bride. By the third film, Maria is living with dementia, though she’s still a loving matriarch.

Costas “Gus” Portokalos Is Toula’s Father

Michael Constantine

Played by the late Michael Constantine, Costas “Gus” Portokalos is the “head” of the big Greek brood. Perhaps most well-remembered for his love of Windex and remarkable (if flawed) ability to link any word’s origins to the Greek language, Gus is very set in his ways. As the trilogy goes on, the movie series illustrates Gus’ hypocrisy — or at least some of the decisions that might have shaped his narrow view in the first film. Although Constantine passed before the third film, Gus’ character still has a huge impact on the cast of My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

Theia Voula Is Maria’s Sister (& Toula’s Aunt)

Andrea Martin

One of My Big Fat Greek Wedding‘s most memorable characters, Aunt Voula (Andrea Martin) is someone Toula wants — and needs — in her corner. While Voula is Maria’s sister, she couldn’t be more different than Toula’s mother, who’s a bit quieter and more rational. Aunt Voula, on the other hand, is the first to offer up ouzo shots and wild stories about her unborn twin, which she discovered by way of a biopsy. Always there for her neice, Aunt Voula stands by Toula through thick and thin, and even travels to Greece with the family in the third film.

Nikos “Nick” Portokalos Is Toula’s Younger Brother

Louis Mandylor

Nick, who is Toula’s younger brother, works at the family diner in the first My Big Fat Greek Wedding film. Although he dreams of being an artist, Nick can’t push himself to go against Gus’ wishes. (He also gets something of a free pass as the family’s only son, at least in Toula’s mind.) Inspired by Toula’s willingness to carve out her own path, Nick draws a new menu for the diner, and tells Toula that she’s the reason he decided to stand by his passions. As the series continues, Nick is more relegated to the role of comic relief.

Theio Taki Is Voula’s Husband (& Toula’s Uncle)

Gerry Mendicino

Voula’s husband and Toula’s uncle, Uncle Taki (Gerry Mendicino) isn’t a pivotal character in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding movies, but he’s certainly memorable. Both Taki and Gus think of themselves as proper patriarchs who lay down the law; little do they realize, it’s Voula and Maria who run the show. In My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, Uncle Taki proves to be one of Gus’ dearest friends, and, in the third film, his role is little more than a glorified cameo. Still, he remains a great balance to Voula.

Angelo Is Voula’s Son (& Toula’s Cousin)

Joey Fatone

Voula and Taki’s son, Angelo, is played by none other than Joey Fatone. As Toula’s cousin, Angelo looks out for her, especially when Ian is just getting to know the Portokalos clan. Memorably, Angelo and Nick, who are best friends, get Ian into some sticky situations. In pretending to do him a solid, the cousins teach Ian some Greek words — though they don’t mean what Ian thinks. Eventually, Ian is able to get the upper-hand on Angelo (and Nick), but he remains one of the funniest characters in My Big Fat Greek Wedding‘s cast.

Nikki Is Voula’s Daughter (& Toula’s Cousin)

Gia Carides

The over-the-top and forever in everyone’s business, Nikki (Gia Carides) is the polar opposite of her cousin Toula. In a sea of Nicks, Nikki stands out as one of the few women in the family. Much like her mother, Voula, Nikki can’t help but get involved. From her obscene taste in bridesmaid dresses to her willingness to round up a bunch of Gus’ long-lost friends in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, Nikki contains multitudes. Although she’s ridiculous at times, Toula’s cousin is always there for her family, especially when things go south.

Yiayia Portokalos Is Toula’s Grandmother

Bess Meisler

Toula’s grandmother, Yiayia Portokalos, is Gus’ mother. During the first film, she’s living with dementia and also post-traumatic stress from her time in war-torn Greece. Although she wanders into the neighbors’ yard and sleeps with a knife under her pillow, Yiayia isn’t just used for comic relief. In one of My Big Fat Greek Wedding‘s most touching scenes, she shows Toula a picture of her younger self as well as some mementos from her own wedding. Yiayia remains a sweet-but-fiesty figure in the sequel, where she shares compelling moments with Toula and Ian’s daughter.

Athena Portokalos Is Toula’s Older Sister

Stavroula Logothettis

Toula’s older sister, Athena (Stavroula Logothettis), is one of the bossier characters in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Married with three raucous kids, Athena is always in and out of the diner like a windstorm. In many ways, she’s Gus’ “perfect” child because of her more traditional life path. (It’s definitely something Athena has no problem holding over her sister’s head.) Despite her tough exterior, Athena proves to be a rock for her sister and, later, her mother when Maria develops health issues in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3.

Rodney Miller Is Toula’s Father-In-Law

Bruce Gray

Played by Bruce Gray, Rodney Miller becomes Toula’s father-in-law after she marries Ian in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. The uptight Rodney lives a very particular life — one that’s upended when he and his wife meet the loud, gregarious, and exceedingly warm Portokalos clan at Ian and Toula’s engagement party. Memorably, Rodney comes around to loving the Portokalos clan, who welcome him with open arms. While not huge facets of the series, Ian’s parents provide a great contrast to Gus and Maria.

Harriet Miller Is Toula’s Mother-In-Law

Fiona Reid

Like her husband Rodney, Harriet Miller (Fiona Reid) is taken aback by her daughter-in-law’s overbearing, giant family when she first meets them in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Clutching a bundt cake, Harriet finds herself confused by the family’s traditions (roasting lamb on a spit in the front yard) and even more baffled by their insistence on welcoming her into the fold. In the end, Harriet — or “Harry,” as the wedding invites dub her — comes around to loving the Portokalos family as her own.

Paris Miller Is Toula & Ian’s Daughter

Elena Kampouris

In My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, Paris Miller (Elena Kampouris), Toula and Ian’s daughter, feels smothered by her family. Even though Toula felt the same as Paris for much of her life, the film’s protagonist can’t help but interfere in her child’s life. Desperate for privacy, Paris applies to colleges in other parts of the country — something her great-grandmother, Yiayia Portokalos, encourages. Much like Toula, Paris learns to accept her family, all while setting up boundaries. However, in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, she’s afraid to let them down or not live up to their expectations.

Panos Portokalos Is Toula’s Uncle

Mark Margolis

Panos Portokalos (Mark Margolis), who is introduced in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2, is Toula’s estranged uncle and Gus’ brother. In the sequel, Panos unexpectedly arrives from Greece for Gus and Maria’s wedding. Unfortunately, he gets Gus and Taki a little too drunk after taking shots of ouzo with them en route to the church. However, Panos manages to save the day when he convinces Maria just how much Gus loves her, even if he doesn’t appear to be taking the ceremony seriously.

Theia Freida Is Toula’s Aunt

Maria Vacratsis

In the My Big Fat Greek Wedding movies, Maria Vacratsis plays Toula’s Aunt Freida — Voula and Maria’s raucous side-kick. Although Freida is more of a supporting character in the first film, she becomes a key player in My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, acting as a stand-in for Maria, who doesn’t make the trip to Greece. Not only does she fulfill the sisterly role by aiding in Voula’s antics, but she fills a motherly role by supporting Toula during some of the more difficult moments of the film.

Victory Is Toula’s “Distant Relative”

Melina Kotselou

In My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3, Melina Kotselou plays Victory, Toula’s gender non-conforming “distant relative.” The mayor of Vrisi, Gus’ hometown, Victory invites Toula and the rest of the Portokalos clan to the tiny village for an alleged reunion. When the family arrives to find the town all-but-abandoned, Victory reveals that they wanted the family’s help in reviving the once-great village. With some of the film’s best zingers, Victory is a welcome addition to the Portokalos clan, even if the film never makes their relationship with Toula all that clear.

Peter Is Toula’s Half-Brother

Alexis Georgoulis

Played by Alexis Georgoulis, an actor who’s been dubbed the “George Clooney of Greece,” Peter is revealed to be Toula and Nick’s half-brother. When the Portokalos clan arrives in Vrisi, they meet Alexandra (Anthi Andreopoulou), a steely older woman who was Gus’ old flame from before he met Maria. Peter is Alexandra’s son by Gus, though the latter never knew about him. Toula and Nick manage to form the foundations of a solid relationship with their half-brother, and even attend his own son Christos’ nuptials during the third My Big Fat Greek Wedding movie.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3

is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

• 

  My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3

  Director:

  Nia Vardalos

  Release Date:

  2023-09-08

  Studio:

  Focus Features, Gold Circle Films, Home Box Office, Playtone

  Cast:

  Elena Kampouris, John Corbett, Andrea Martin, Nia Vardalos, Lainie Kazan, Louis Mandylor, Gia Carides, Stephanie Nur

  Writers:

  Nia Vardalos

  Rating:

  Not Yet Rated

  Main Genre:

  Comedy

  Genres:

  Comedy, Romance

  Summary:

  My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 is the follow-up to 2016’s prequel film and is penned by Nia Vardalos once more. Plot details on the new movie are under wraps – however, many cast members will be returning to reprise their roles from the previous entries in the franchise. The current photo is of miscellaneous cast members from the film series.

  Franchise:

  My Big Fat Greek Wedding

  Story By:

  Prequel:

  My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2

  Distributor :

  Focus Features

  Runtime:

  91 Minutes