Netflix’s highly anticipated iteration ofThe Chronicles of Narniais officially underway, with filming now taking place in London. Details surrounding theGreta Gerwig-directed feature have been kept under wraps, but new set photos, shared byWhat’s on Netflix, are giving fans a first look at the magical world of Narnia. These photos also seem to reveal the young actors cast in the lead roles of Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, the two central characters inNarnia:The Magician’s Nephew.
The new set photos suggest that David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell will be leading as Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, respectively. McKenna is known for his portrayal of Piggy in the BBC’s adaptation ofLord of the Flies, while Campbell has appeared inWes Anderson’sThe Phoenician Schemeand the Disney+ seriesThe Stolen Girl.See the pictures here.
The two young actors join some pretty big names attached to the film. While Netflix has yet to confirm any of their Narnia adaptation’s cast, previous reports indicate thatSex Educationstar Emma Mackey will star as the evil White Witch and Daniel Craig will tackle the role of the mischievous Uncle Andrew. The majestic talking lion, Aslan,is anticipated to be voiced by Meryl Streep, while Carey Mulligan is said to be in talks to join the cast as Digory’s mother, Mabel Kirke. Rumors previously circulated that Gerwig might reunite with herLady Birdstar, Saoirse Ronan, for the feature, but that buzz has died down.
Why Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ Reboot Should Excite Fans
Gerwig, the talented director behindBarbie, is at the helm of this project and also penned the screenplay for what is rumored to be a multi-film commitment with Netflix. Given Gerwig’s attention to detail in building the world ofBarbie, fans have every reason to be excitedabout her take on Narnia. Her ability to create a visually stunning backdrop should translate well to Narnia, a world replete with magic and talking animals.
The 1955 novel “Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew"is the sixth book in C.S. Lewis' beloved book series surrounding Narnia and serves as a prequel to “The Chronicles of Narnia.“It explores the creation of the magical realm. The plot involves Digory and Polly, who are tricked by Uncle Andrew into traveling to other worlds, where they mistakenly unleash the menacing White Witch. They eventually witness Aslan creating Narnia. Interestingly, set photosindicate that Netflix’s versionwill reportedly move the setting from the novels' 1900 to a post-war 1950s London, a significant time shift. The recently revealed pictures show extras dressed in period clothing.
Narnia: The Magician’s Nephewwill land in IMAX theaters in late 2026 (around Thanksgiving) before making its streaming debut on Netflix during the Christmas holiday. This release model highlights Netflix’s commitment to Gerwig’s Narnia universe. Given what we know (and the speculation surrounding) the upcoming live-action adaptation, audiences should be excited. Gerwig’s directorial vision and writing abilities, coupled with what is expected to bea star-studded cast, point to a magical and unforgettable cinematic experience.
