Production Information


Miranda Richardson co-stars as Lady Van Tassel, Katrina’s step-mom and the matriarch of the Van Tassel estate. The British-born actress began her career in regional theater before making a stunning film debut in Mike Newell’s haunting "Dance With A Stranger." The performance caught the eye of director Steven Spielberg, who cast her in "Empire of the Sun." Richardson proved her versatility with impressive back-to-back performances in Mike Newell’s romantic comedy "Enchanted April," which earned her a Golden Globe Award; as a sexy IRA terrorist in Neil Jordan’s "The Crying Game," and as a neglected wife in Louis Malle’s "Damage," for which she received an Oscar® nomination. She received a second Oscar® nomination for her role in the 1997 release "Tom & Viv." More recently, Richardson starred as Toosie in Robert Duvall’s acclaimed film, "The Apostle" and received a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in the Hallmark Entertainment television mini-series "Merlin."

Gambon made his Broadway debut in David Hare’s "Skylight" and can be seen in "Dancing at Lughnasa" with Meryl Streep. He also starred in such films as "The Wings of the Dove," "Mary Reilly," "The Browning Version," "A Man of No Importance," "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife and Her Lover" and "Turtle Diary." 

Gambon began his career at Dublin’s Edwards/MacLiammoir Gate Theatre, and in 1963, became one of the original members of the National Theatre Company at the Old Vic under Laurence Olivier. Mr. Gambon’s extensive work on television includes the title role in Dennis Potter's acclaimed series "The Singing Detective," for which he garnered a BAFTA Award, a Broadcasting Press Guild Award and a Royal Television Society Award. Among his many honors, he has received the Olivier Award and, in July 1998, was knighted for his contribution to the arts.

Casper Van Dien plays Brom Van Brunt, vying with Ichabod for Katrina’s heart. Van Dien starred in Paul Verhoeven’s science-fiction adventure "Starship Troopers," and in "Tarzan and the Lost City," with Jane March. He recently completed production on "The Code," opposite Catherine Oxenberg-Van Dien, "Partners," co-starring David Paymer, and "Thrill Seekers," a TBS movie starring Catherine Bell. His other credits include starring roles in the independent feature "Modern Vampires," a stylish thriller opposite Natasha Gregson Wagner, and October Film’s action film noir "On the Border," with Bryan Brown and Daniel Baldwin.

While the foundation of Depp’s character lies in the Washington Irving story, Depp patterned this version of Ichabod Crane after a few actors he greatly admires, including the late Roddy McDowell, his long-time friend. He also drew inspiration from Angela Lansbury and the film "Death on the Nile," and from his memories of old black & white Sherlock Holmes films with Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce.

Actress Christina Ricci stars as the bewitching Katrina Van Tassel, daughter of Sleepy Hollow’s most affluent family.
"I’ve always wanted to make a fairy tale," comments Ricci, "but the real motivation was that I wanted to work with Tim Burton. I’m also a huge fan of screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker." 

Depp and Ricci were last seen together in Terry Gilliam’s "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" but have known each other for over a decade, first meeting when Ricci was nine-years-old. "This film is very much a fantasy," describes Ricci. "My character is innocent, pure-of-heart, loves romance stories and is looking for something beyond her little town. When Ichabod arrives, she immediately falls in love with him."

"It’s one of the more beautiful meetings of two characters that I’ve read in a script. I really liked the idea that they meet while she’s blindfolded and they kiss even before they speak," adds Depp.

Ricci has made a seamless transition into more mature roles since her memorable performances as the strangely adorable Wednesday Addams in "The Addams Family" and "Addams Family Values." In 1997, Ricci co-starred in Ang Lee’s ensemble film "The Ice Storm," alongside Kevin Kline, Sigourney Weaver, Joan Allen and Elijah Wood. Her recent
performance as Dedee Truit, in the scathing black comedy "The Opposite of Sex" earned her a Golden Globe nomination. As Layla in Vincent Gallo’s "Buffalo 66," Ricci won rave reviews including Best Actress at the Seattle Film Festival. She had a co-starring role opposite Edward Furlong in John Waters’ "Pecker" and was most recently seen in
Paramount Pictures’ "200 Cigarettes." Ricci received the 1998 National Board of Review Award for Best Supporting Actress for her combined body of work in "Buffalo 66," "The Opposite of Sex" and "Pecker."

"This whole movie is 'big acting,'" Ricci explains. "The whole delivery is different. It’s difficult to say lines like 'I rue the day you came to Sleepy Hollow' without adding extra drama."