Cass Elliot’s Story Is Coming to the Big Screen With This Actress in the Starring Role

Meredith GordonFri, February 13, 2026 at 2:53 AM UTC

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(Photo by Bettmann on Getty Images)

The Mamas & the Papas founder Cass Elliot’s story is coming to the big screen. Based on the memoir My Mama, Cass, written by Mama Cass’ daughter Owen Elliot‑Kugell, the feature film will answer misconceptions about the singer’s untimely death at the age of 32, as well as explore her life and legacy as one of the defining voices of the 1960s. Baby Reindeer’sJessica Gunning is set to play the starring role.

Cass Elliot and The Mamas & the Papas

Cass Elliot, born Ellen Naomi Cohen, was a founding member of 1960s pop‑folk group The Mamas & the Papas. Part of the quartet alongside John Phillips, Michelle Phillips, and Denny Doherty, the band’s harmonies and hit songs like “California Dreamin’” helped define the era and continue to be soundtrack mainstays to this day.

Personal Life

Known as Mama Cass, Elliot was married twice, first to musician Jim Hendricks in 1963, which was annulled in 1968, and a second marriage to journalist Donald von Wiedenman in 1971, which lasted just a few months.

Mama Cass had one child, daughter Owen Vanessa Elliot‑Kugell, who was born in 1967. Just seven years old when her mother died, Owen was raised by Cass’s sister, Leah Kunkel.

Death and Legacy

Cass Elliot died of heart failure in 1974 at the age of 32 in London shortly after completing a series of sold‑out shows at the London Palladium. Rumors surrounding her death involving a ham sandwich have long since been debunked, with the real cause of her death confirmed through a medical examination.

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My Mama Cass Memoir and Film

My Mama, Cass was published in 2024. Owen Elliot‑Kugell’s book explores her mother’s legacy, their deep mother‑daughter bond, and addresses long‑standing misconceptions about Cass’ life and death.

Gunning gained notoriety for her eerie portrayal of a stalker opposite Richard Gadd in Netflix’s Baby Reindeer. Gunning earned an Emmy, Golden Globe, and a SAG Award for her performance.

Billed as the definitive film on Cass Elliot, My Mama, Cass is currently in production.

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This story was originally published by Parade on Feb 13, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”