In Greta Gerwig's adaptation of Narnia, Emma Mackey is cast in the role of the White Witch.

      As Netflix and director Greta Gerwig work on their adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia, they've cast Emma Mackey (from Sex Education) in a key role as Jadis, known as The White Witch.

      Gerwig's new Narnia films will adopt a different approach compared to earlier adaptations, starting with a chronological sequence rather than following the order of the novels' publication. She will direct The Magician’s Nephew, the sixth book in the Narnia series, which showcases the events leading up to The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe and the formation of Narnia by the time of that story.

      Tilda Swinton previously portrayed The White Witch in the 2005 film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe and its sequels, while Liam Neeson voiced Aslan.

      Mackey, who appeared in Gerwig’s successful film Barbie, will be part of a cast that includes former James Bond actor Daniel Craig as Digory Kirke’s uncle and Meryl Streep as the mighty lion Aslan the Great. The Magician’s Nephew will explore the journey of Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer as they discover the enchanting realm of Narnia through the magic of Digory’s uncle.

      Gerwig will serve as both writer and director for The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew. Filming is set to begin next year, with a planned exclusive two-week IMAX global release around Thanksgiving 2026 before it becomes available for streaming on Netflix.

      Ricky Church – Follow me on Bluesky for more movie updates and discussions.