Mamma Mia 2 stars react to THAT Donna twist: 'We wanted Meryl Streep there'

WARNING: Spoiler for Mamma Mia 2 ahead.

The actress plays Donna in the 2008 original and its new 2018 sequel, but has significantly less screen-time second time around.

It is revealed right at the start of the sequel that Donna has died off-screen, although no cause of death is ever given.

Donna still takes centre stage through flashbacks, with Lily James playing the character as a younger woman.

And Streep pops up at the end to sing on My Love My Life and Super Trouper.

But the likes of Christine Baranski have indicated that they were disappointed to not spend as much time with Streep this time around.

“I missed my pal,” the Tanya star said, according to BBC News.

“We just wanted her on the island. hanging out with her, because we had so much fun on the first film.”

Pierce Brosnan, meanwhile, said that the group treasured the time they did get with her.

“She was so gracious towards us all,” he recalled.

“I think everyone is so enamoured by her work as an actress, so then to encounter her as a woman – she’s just delightful.”

Streep has hailed James for her performance, saying: “I had no idea Lily James had the singing chops.

“Some people sing from the bottom of their feet, right up. She shakes the rafters, she’s amazing.”

Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again is out now.