Emma Mackey will portray the White Witch in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Netflix adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia, according to multiple sources. The project reunites Mackey with Gerwig following their collaboration on Barbie, the 2023 box office hit.
Mackey, known for her performances in Sex Education, Death on the Nile, and Emily, secured the role after months of speculation surrounding the casting. Charli XCX was previously rumored to be in contention, but the final decision reportedly came down to Mackey and Margaret Qualley. Netflix declined to comment on the casting.
Gerwig’s adaptation will focus on The Magician’s Nephew, the sixth novel in C.S. Lewis’ classic fantasy series, which explores the origin story of Narnia. The story follows Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer as they uncover the magical world of Narnia through the experiments of Digory’s uncle. Mackey’s character, Jadis—the White Witch—emerges as the principal antagonist, pivotal both in The Magician’s Nephew and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, where she casts Narnia into eternal winter.
Joining Mackey in the cast are Meryl Streep, who is in talks to play Aslan the Great, and Daniel Craig, cast as Digory Kirke’s uncle. Production is scheduled to begin next year. In an unusual move, Netflix will give the film a two-week IMAX theatrical run globally for Thanksgiving 2026 before its release on the streaming platform. Gerwig reportedly pushed for this theatrical window as part of the project’s development.
Mackey’s career continues to rise following her work on Sex Education. Her portrayal of Emily Brontë in Emily earned her two British Independent Film Award nominations. She is currently working on an untitled Warner Bros. feature directed by J.J. Abrams, appearing alongside Glen Powell and Jenna Ortega. Mackey is also set to appear in Alpha, directed by Titane filmmaker Julia Ducournau, and she plays the lead in Ella McCay, James L. Brooks’ upcoming comedy set for theatrical release on December 12.
Netflix first announced plans to adapt new projects based on The Chronicles of Narnia in 2018. Gerwig was confirmed in 2020 to lead the first film as both writer and director.
Mackey is represented by CAA, Johnson Shapiro, and Ziffren Brittenham.