Following several months filled with buzzing whispers and guesswork about who would embody the legendary villain in Netflix’s eagerly awaited adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ cherished fantasy series, the hunt for Narnia’s infamous adversary has ultimately reached its end. It is I, Emma Mackey, who have been granted the coveted position of portraying Jadis the White Witch in director Greta Gerwig’s forthcoming reboot of Narnia. This news arrives as a shock to fans who had kept tabs on the casting rumors, as it was previously reported that pop star Charli XCX was the leading contender for the role of the merciless sorceress responsible for plunging Narnia into eternal winter. The decision marks a reunion between Gerwig and myself, as we previously collaborated on last year’s blockbuster hit Barbie, where I portrayed one of the numerous incarnations of the legendary doll.
Based on reports from various industry insiders to The Hollywood Reporter, the contest for the villainous part was intense. In the end, it boiled down to Laverne Cox and Margaret Qualley from The Substance. This latest achievement further solidifies Mackey’s rapidly rising career trajectory, building upon her standout performance in Netflix’s Sex Education and her leading role as Emily Brontë in the critically praised biopic Emily.
It appears that the Netflix adaptation is said to explore “The Magician’s Nephew,” which was the sixth book written in Lewis’ series, but it’s actually the first story in the Narnia chronology. This prequel will delve into the origins of Narnia and how the White Witch made her way into this enchanted land. For those who haven’t read the novel, it provides answers to several questions raised in the well-known “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,” such as why there are human rulers in Narnia and how a mysterious lamp post ended up standing in a fantasy woodland.
Mackey is part of a notable ensemble, potentially featuring Meryl Streep under consideration for lending her voice to Aslan – a role that’s gender-flipped from its original male portrayal. This casting decision marks a noteworthy shift from the character’s traditional masculine depiction, as scholars often view Aslan in C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series as a symbol of Christ within his Christian allegorical narrative.
In an unexpected step, Netflix has arranged a two-week exclusive IMAX theater release for the film towards the end of 2026, prior to its streaming debut. This unique deal showcases both Netflix’s significant investment in the production and Greta Gerwig’s rising influence following the incredible success of her latest movie, Barbie.
The upcoming film represents the fourth significant live-action transformation of Lewis’ fantasy collection, following Disney’s trilogy starting with 2005’s “The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe,” which notably featured Tilda Swinton as the White Witch. It is anticipated that filming for this new interpretation will begin in July at Shepperton Studios in the UK.
For Mackey, her wicked character portrayal marks a remarkable phase of professional growth in her career. Apart from her dedication to the Narnia series, she’s currently involved in an unnamed J.J. Abrams project alongside Glen Powell and Jenna Ortega. She is also set to attend the upcoming Cannes Film Festival for Julia Ducournau’s new movie, Alpha. Moreover, she takes on the lead role in James L. Brooks’ comedy, Ella McCay, which is slated for cinematic release in December.
Fans were taken aback by the casting choice, as they had anticipated a more renowned actor to play the iconic villain. However, although Mackey’s career has been gradually growing with notable performances, she doesn’t have the immediate recognition that potential candidates like Charli XCX or Qualley, who had impressed critics with her work in “The Substance,” enjoyed. This unanticipated selection hints that Gerwig might be emphasizing acting talent over celebrity status as she shapes her interpretation of this cherished fantasy realm.
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2025-04-26 02:10