Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’ Cast & Characters – Every Actor Confirmed

C.S. Lewis’s The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, published in 1950, introduced readers to a beloved world of talking animals and grand adventures. While Disney attempted to bring Narnia to life on the big screen in the mid-2000s, the film series ultimately stalled after three movies. Many fans hoped the stories would return to theaters someday, and now they are – with Greta Gerwig taking on the project.

Following the huge success of the Barbie movie, director Greta Gerwig will now reimagine the classic Narnia stories with a fresh and unexpected approach. Netflix has chosen her to direct two Narnia films, starting with The Magician’s Nephew – the story of how Narnia was created. The film is expected to be released in IMAX theaters on November 26, 2026, and will be available for streaming on Netflix on December 25, 2026. It promises a visually stunning and uniquely directed experience that will bring Aslan’s world to life.

Netflix is already planning a sequel, showing they want to create a lasting series like Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. Director Greta Gerwig’s version updates the story with a new cast, including stars like Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, Denise Gough, and Daniel Craig. These actors will bring fresh interpretations to the beloved characters from C.S. Lewis’s books. Who will play which role? And how will these new portrayals shape the future of Narnia?

Confirmed Main Cast of Greta Gerwig’s ‘Narnia’

Emma Mackey as Jadis, the White Witch

20th Century Studios

There was a lot of talk about who would play the White Witch in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia films, with Margaret Qualley and Charli XCX both mentioned as possibilities. Now that Emma Mackey has been cast, it’s clear Gerwig isn’t simply recreating previous adaptations. Mackey will debut as Jadis in The Magician’s Nephew, expected in spring 2025, and her portrayal will explore the character’s origins and power in a more primal and untamed way than we’ve seen before.

Greta Gerwig often reimagines familiar characters by focusing on their humanity, and Emma Mackey seems like a perfect fit for her next project. Unlike the more ethereal style of Tilda Swinton, Mackey brings a grounded and relatable energy. She’s incredibly versatile – able to switch effortlessly between captivating charm and cool composure, as seen in her role in Sex Education. Having already worked with Gerwig on Barbie gives her a strong connection to the director’s vision. Plus, her performances in films like Emily and Death on the Nile demonstrate her ability to portray both delicate intimacy and grand presence. This balance is crucial for the role of Jadis, who needs to be both a commanding figure and a believable person with her own desires and perspective.

Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew Ketterley

Netflix

Daniel Craig is confirmed to play Uncle Andrew, and it’s a perfectly mischievous choice. The character is a sophisticated, somewhat morally flexible magician driven by curiosity. In The Magician’s Nephew, Andrew creates magical rings and recklessly experiments with powerful forces. He’s a grown-up who can act like a child when it suits him. Craig has confirmed he’s working with Greta Gerwig on the Narnia films, and industry insiders already envision him in the role. While details are scarce, his comments suggest he’ll capture Andrew’s blend of charisma and control.

Andrew is the driving force behind Digory and Polly’s journey to different worlds, and Daniel Craig brings a unique blend of energy to the role. He combines the action-hero intensity from his James Bond films, the cleverness he displayed as Benoit Blanc in the Knives Out movies, and lessons learned from his experience in The Golden Compass. Craig’s experience with both big franchises and playing compelling characters makes him a perfect fit to ground the more complex, adult themes of Narnia, especially while working alongside younger actors.

David McKenna as Digory Kirke

David McKenna perfectly embodies Digory Kirke, the sincere and inquisitive young boy who unexpectedly finds himself involved in the beginning of Narnia and faces incredibly difficult decisions. He was identified as playing Digory during filming of Greta Gerwig’s The Magician’s Nephew, and it’s interesting to note that McKenna, born in Belfast, shares a hometown with C.S. Lewis himself. This feels particularly fitting for a character central to the story of Narnia’s creation, who first encounters the villain Jadis when she’s at her most powerful.

The role of Digory requires an actor who can convincingly portray both innocence and inner strength, and McKenna seems to fit that perfectly – he comes across as natural, unpretentious, and down-to-earth, which is exactly the tone Greta Gerwig is aiming for. While he’s early in his career, McKenna has a strong performance background, including musical theater, and is set to appear as Piggy in the new Lord of the Flies adaptation. He has a natural presence that suggests he can handle both subtle, quiet moments and intense, dramatic scenes with ease.

Beatrice Campbell as Polly Plummer

Polly Plummer is a reliable and trustworthy friend. She’s naturally curious, sensible, and brave enough for an adventure, but not overly impulsive. Actress Beatrice Campbell will play Polly opposite McKenna’s Digory, a pairing that perfectly reflects the core of The Magician’s Nephew, where two children explore mysterious rings, worlds, and the unexpected results that come with them. Polly isn’t just a helper; her inquisitive nature and quick thinking keep Digory grounded and honest.

What I love about Greta Gerwig’s direction is how it grounds even the most fantastical moments in real emotion. And with Campbell, you get that same feeling – she’s a relatively new face, but she feels totally natural on screen, hinting at a promising career. I noticed she’s worked with Knight Edge Media on a project called The Phoenician Scheme, which is cool because it shows she can handle both the storytelling and the emotional side of acting – really connect with the character while still serving the plot.

Meryl Streep as Aslan (Rumored)

20th Century Fox

The idea of Meryl Streep voicing Aslan, the central figure in the world of Narnia, is exciting and feels like a bold, positive choice. While Netflix hasn’t confirmed reports from 2025 that Streep was being considered, the possibility sparked discussion about casting an actress in a traditionally male role, showcasing director Greta Gerwig’s commitment to fresh perspectives and subtlety. Aslan, particularly in The Magician’s Nephew, embodies strong moral principles, and Streep’s performance would likely bring both a sense of kindness and powerful presence to the character.

While it’s not official yet, the discussion among fans reveals how much they recognize the importance of the lion imagery and how intrigued they are by Greta Gerwig’s vision. Meryl Streep seems like a natural fit – her incredible range and ability to transform for different roles make her perfect for almost anything. Plus, she previously worked with Gerwig on ‘Little Women,’ making the possibility even more likely and fitting.

‘Narnia’ Notable Supporting Characters

Carey Mulligan as Mabel Kirke (Digory’s Mother)

Focus Features

Carey Mulligan’s addition to the cast of The Magician’s Nephew adds a lot of emotional depth. While Mabel Kirke isn’t a major character, she’s central to Digory’s story, giving his journey a personal weight beyond just adventure. Mulligan recently started filming and described the project as a dream come true. Her portrayal promises to show Mabel as a hopeful and gentle character, with a complex and heartfelt love that subtly influences the larger, fantastical story.

Carey Mulligan excels at portraying complex inner lives, as seen in films like Promising Young Woman with its strong moral compass, the emotional depth of Maestro, and the determined spirit in Suffragette and Drive. She seamlessly blends historical accuracy with modern acting techniques, making a character’s emotions feel real even within a period setting. Her talent is further highlighted by her multiple Academy Award nominations, adding significant weight to her performances.

Ava Jager as Violet (Polly’s Sister)

I’m so excited about the new additions to the cast! Apparently, Polly Plummer has a sister named Violet, and Ava Jager is going to play her. It sounds like the filmmakers really wanted to flesh out Polly’s family life and make it feel more real. From what I’ve heard, Ava was filming for weeks, so Violet isn’t just going to be a quick appearance – she’ll actually be part of the story and give us a better look at what Polly’s home life is like alongside all the magical adventures!

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Having a sibling character like Jager adds depth and believability to Polly’s story, making it feel more genuine through both comforting moments and realistic everyday conflicts. Casting Jager also makes sense from a storytelling perspective; it was first noticed on Netflix and later explained as part of a larger expansion of the family dynamic, which allows the young actor playing her room to grow. In a story that blends fantastical origins with relatable, everyday life, Jager’s character can help viewers connect with the entire cast.

Denise Gough in an Undisclosed Role

Lucasfilm/Disney+

Denise Gough has revealed she’ll be in Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia film, hinting that her character will be a villain. This is particularly interesting given the story’s focus on good versus evil. With Emma Mackey already cast as the White Witch, Jadis, Gough’s comments suggest another powerful and potentially antagonistic character will be featured in the first film, The Magician’s Nephew. The news also fits with the planned production schedule, which runs through late 2025, and Netflix’s intention to release the story as a two-part film series.

Gough is a proven actress, demonstrated by her compelling performance as Dedra Meero in Andor, where she played a character with subtle but strong control over the course of twenty episodes. That same focus and intensity will serve her well in a fantasy setting, where a powerful presence and understated strength are just as important as spoken lines. She’s also proven her versatility in both theater and film. Adding to this, recent news highlighted her strong working relationship with Andor co-star Beatrice Campbell through their work on The Stolen Girl, suggesting she excels in the collaborative teamwork that will be key to the Narnia project.

2026-01-01 23:08