Netflix’s Narnia Film Series Has Found Its White Witch

The Chronicles of Narnia is making a comeback, but this time on the streaming giant Netflix. The Narnia reboot has made progress by casting its White Witch.

The original Chronicles of Narnia film series is based on C.S. Lewis’ fantasy novels. Three movies were released — The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Walden Media produced the movies, and Disney distributed the first two films, while 20th Century Fox served as the distributor for the third film. The first movie was both a critical and commercial success. However, the film series stopped after the third movie due to declining box office, with each movie earning less than the previous one. In October 2018, Netflix announced a multi-year deal with The C.S. Lewis Company to develop new film and television adaptations of the beloved fantasy adventure. Netflix has just cast the White Witch for Narnia.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Emma Mackey was offered the coveted role. Global pop star Charli XCX was at one point considered for the role that many actresses have dreamed of playing. However, the production team’s choices were eventually down to Mackey and The Substance actress Margaret Qualley, with Mackey eventually bagging the role. Unnamed sources also told Deadline about the casting of the Sex Education star for Netflix’s Narnia reboot, directed by Greta Gerwig. Mackey joins an ensemble cast, including Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep. Craig will portray Digory Kirke while Streep will voice the talking lion Aslan the Great, the powerful entity who serves as Narnia’s protector. Netflix did not confirm nor deny the report and opted to decline to comment.

Emma Mackey Has Big Shoes To Fill As Narnia’s White Witch

Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia movie will reportedly adapt The Magician’s Nephew, the sixth novel of the series. It shows the White Witch Jadis’ origin. Gerwig serves as the screenwriter and director. The feature will serve as a reunion for Gerwig and Mackey, who previously worked together in the 2023 box office hit Barbie. Mackey’s casting was well-received, with many expressing support because they loved her for the role. They are excited to see her take over the iconic character that Tilda Swinton once rocked.

Swinton’s portrayal of the White Witch in the Chronicles of Narnia movies was universally praised and was among the things fans loved in the movies. Some have likened Swinton’s White Witch to Ian McKellen’s Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings. The Doctor Strange star did not portray Jadis as a one-dimensional villain. Instead, Swinton gave her an ethereal and unsettling power, making the character even more terrifying. She captured the character’s mythic and otherworldly qualities, convincing fans that she was perfect for the role. Mackey has big shoes to fill.

Of course, to begin with, she has to live up to Swinton’s legacy. Fans already have Swinton’s version of a cold, commanding, and eerie White Witch, which is difficult to match. However, since she will play Jadis in another timeline — during her rise to power — Mackey could opt for a different approach to bring the White Witch onscreen again. Mackey has to show ambition, cunning, and seduction, typically the traits before Jadis turned cold. She can also focus on the young Jadis’ charisma and raw ambition in this timeline. Mackey can use her voice and posture and add her youthful ruthlessness to deliver a mythic presence to her portrayal of the White Witch. Mackey is a brilliant actress, so she can surely make this work.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline