Move over, Tilda Swinton — there’s a new icy villain in town. British actress Emma Mackey, fresh from Barbie’s plastic-fantastic world, has officially landed the role of Jadis, the White Witch, in Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated Netflix adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia.
And yes, it’s as big as it sounds. Here’s what you need to know about the next fantasy epic.
Is Netflix making a Narnia series?
Yes, Netflix is making The Chronicles of Narnia into a movie series. It will be directed by Greta Gerwig, who has previously worked on blockbusters such as Barbie, Little Women and Lady Bird.
@myelessar the chronicles of narnia #narnia #aslan ♬ Soldier, Poet, King – The Oh Hellos
What will be the plot for Greta Gerwig’s Narnia?
If you’re expecting Turkish delight and wardrobe-related shenanigans, you might want to brush up on your Narnia lore. Gerwig’s first Narnia film is reportedly adapting The Magician’s Nephew, which is actually the sixth book in C.S. Lewis’ series (but a prequel in the Narnia timeline — don’t ask, just go with it).
This is backed up by the casting team putting out a search for a boy of Indian descent. This fits the protagonist in The Magician’s Nephew, Digory Kirke — who is half Indian, half English.
This means we’ll see the origin story of Narnia itself, including how the White Witch, aka Jadis, first sashays onto the scene and starts turning people into lawn ornaments.
The White Witch is not just any villain — she’s the one who curses Narnia with an endless winter (no Christmas, just vibes) and has a penchant for turning her enemies into stone. So, expect lots of frosty glares and possibly a new generation of kids asking, “Is Turkish delight really that good?”.
@jakethenpc #fy #narnia #narniatok #cslewis #christian #christiantiktok #narniatiktok #fantasy ♬ Butterfly Wings – Fantasy Music
Who is cast in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia?
Let’s get to the juicy bit: the cast.
Who is cast as the White Witch in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia?
Emma Mackey, who you might know from Sex Education and, of course, Barbie, is stepping into the role of Jadis, the White Witch. This marks a reunion with Greta Gerwig, who directed Mackey in Barbie, which only made a casual billion dollars at the box office.
Who is cast as Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia?
Meryl Streep could be voicing Aslan the Lion in Netflix’s Narnia, per Deadline. Cue chaos over the female voice casting for an (checks notes) animated lion. Someone, please think of the boomers!!
This feels a lot like The Little Mermaid drama again, where people were losing their minds over the colour of a (mythical) mermaid’s skin. Let me repeat that.
A. Mythical. Mermaid.
I still can’t get over Halle Bailey’s voice as Ariel. A whole new worlddddd. *cough* Anyway. Back to the casting rumour.
@tcbabybloommag The kids reactions are priceless 💕 @halle little mermaid movie 🎥 @Disney+ @Disney Channel @Disney | #kidsoftiktok #kidsbelike #blackexcellence #disneyplus #disneymovie #littlemermaid #girlspower #blackgirlsrock #momlife #dadsoftiktok #familytime #fyp #fypシ ♬ original sound – TCBabyBloomMag
Basically, Aslan is designed to represent Jesus Christ, according to letters that were penned by C.S. Lewis himself.
“Since Narnia is a world of talking beasts, I thought he [Christ] would become a talking beast there, as he became a man here,” C.S. Lewis wrote in his last letters.
“I pictured him becoming a lion there because (A) the lion is supposed to be the king of beasts, (B) Christ is called “The Lion of Judah” in the Bible [and] (C) I’d been having strange dreams about lions when I began writing the work.”
@onlyintiktokshop as a narnia movie fan, this is a dream!!! i can literally see narnia beach for real omygosh 😭📍🍃#narnianz #beachscenenarnia #narnia #coromandel #cathedralcove #newzealand #reginaspektor #thecallreginaspektor #fyp ♬ sonido original – B l u e M o o n S k y
Gerwig needs a way to refresh the outdated world of Narnia, however, as the last book was written 69 years ago (lol). Liam Neeson did a great job voicing Aslan’s foreboding voice in the 2005 series, but it’s time for a new Aslan.
If the rumours are true, I’m so excited to see the type of Aslan that Streep will play. Will she be a nurturing but fun mother type like Donna in Mamma Mia!? Or play the tough love character like in The Devil Wears Prada as Miranda Priestley? Only time will tell.
Streep as a giant, wise lion? Oh, I’m sat.
@primevideouk goosebumps 👏 every 👏 time 👏 #mammamia #mammamiamovie #merylstreep #piercebrosnan #primevideo #winnertakesitall #musical ♬ original sound – Prime Video UKIE
Who is cast as Uncle Andrew in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia?
Daniel Craig is reportedly circling the role of Uncle Andrew, the slightly dodgy magician who helps kick off the whole magical mess, per Deadline.
@nathanlust What’s your favourite dance move🕺 #danielcraig #nathanlust ♬ another one bites the WAM – veggibeats
There’s no official word yet on who will play the child leads, Digory and Polly, but casting is underway. And while Charli xcx was once rumoured for the White Witch gig, it ultimately came down to Mackey nabbing the role. We almost got the Narnians doing the apple dance.
Will the original cast be in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia?
We don’t have word yet if the original cast will be in Netflix’s new Narnia series. It would, however, be a dream if they appeared as background characters. The original cast did also reunite recently to reflect on some of their old costumes from the original films. A happy coincidence, or something more? Only time will tell.
When is Greta Gerwig’s Narnia being released?
Here’s the part you can mark on your calendar. According to Variety, Gerwig’s Narnia will hit IMAX cinemas on Thanksgiving Day 2026 (that’s late November for us Aussies), with a two-week exclusive run before it lands on Netflix just in time for Christmas So, you’ll have the option to see all the magical mayhem on the biggest screen possible, or wait to watch it at home while you nurse a pavlova hangover.
Filming is set to kick off in July 2025, so expect more casting news and sneak peeks to drop over the next year. Netflix is treating this as a major event, so get ready for a marketing blitz and at least one heated group chat debate about whether this will finally be the Narnia adaptation that gets it right.
@indiewire Replying to @Tai you know we had to ask Greta about directing #ChroniclesOfNarnia ♬ original sound – IndieWire
What is The Chronicles of Narnia about?
If you need a quick recap before the movie releases, I’ve got you.
The Chronicles of Narnia is a seven-part book series set in, you guessed it, Narnia. Magic is real here, and animals can talk (including the all-powerful Aslan the lion, who created Narnia).
@retiredusaccountaraan I think it’s a pretty neat precursor to the movies (and the series as a whole). #fyp #narnia #chroniclesofnarnia #thechroniclesofnarnia #themagiciansnephew #thelionthewitchandthewardrobe #jadis #thewhitewitch #whitewitch #aslan #digorykirke #pollyplummer #kingfrank #queenhelen #narniatok #narnialore #booktok #narnianetflix ♬ Mozart/Requiem "Lacrimosa"(1394506) – Mint
Chronologically, the first book is The Magician’s Nephew, which follows Polly and Digory, the first children to enter Narnia. You can get The Magician’s Nephew here.
The second book is much more well-known: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. This was actually the first book released in 1950 (before the prequel was later released in 1955), where fans fell in love with the Pevensie siblings: Peter, Susan, Edmund, and, of course, Lucy. You can find The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe here.
The third book, The Horse and His Boy, was released in 1954, and follows more of the royal adventures of the Pevensie siblings. You can snag The Horse and His Boy here.
The fourth book, Prince Caspian, was published in 1951. We watch as the Pevensies return to Narnia once again and fight for Prince Caspian. This is also the last time Peter and Susan set foot in Narnia — the true end of an era. You can buy Prince Caspian here.
@jacfrostisreal Anyways, I love Narnia. #lucypevensie #cslewis #thechroniclesofnarnia #narnia #makecoffeewithme #makecoffeewithjac #booktok #bookclub #narniatok #pevensie #pevensiesiblings #jacfrostisreal #jacfrosttalks #coffeetalkswithjac ♬ original sound – IG and YT: JacFrostIsReal
Stay with me, folks, we’re almost there. The fifth book, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, was released in 1952. It’s just Edmund and Lucy this time, and we are introduced to their cousin, Eustace Scrubb. Edmund and Lucy won’t return to Narnia again after this book — it makes me sad, too. You can get The Voyage of the Dawn Treader here.
The sixth book, The Silver Chair, was published in 1953, and follows Eustace as he returns to Narnia, with his classmate Jill. You can snag The Silver Chair here.
We finish on the seventh book, The Last Battle, which was released in 1956. To put it simply, Eustace and Jill find themselves in an explosive battle with a false Aslan. Dun, dun, dunnnn. You can snag The Last Battle here.
@_adammc2 pretty big thing to miss out 😭 #fyp #foryou #adammcg ♬ original sound – Adam McG
So there you have it: Emma Mackey is your new White Witch, Greta Gerwig is in the director’s chair, and Meryl Streep might be roaring her way into your heart as Aslan.
Start prepping your Turkish delight now — Narnia is coming back, and it’s going to be bigger, bolder, and probably a bit weirder than you remember.
In the meantime, check out our Narnia-themed picks below.
Narnia Merch
Narnia wardrobe book insert
If you’re still checking wardrobes for Narnia, this book nook is the next best thing.
The Chronicles of Narnia book
I mean, now that you’ve got a Narnia book insert, you’ll need the entire series in one book to balance.
Narnia book end
Aslan and Mr. Tumnus can protect your book/s.
Reepicheep mug
Cheers to the bravest soldier in Narnia.
Mr. Tumnus cup
What the cup said.
High King Peter’s sword
I’d like to see your enemies try you with this sword.
Lead image: Getty / Narnia
The post Everything We Know About Greta Gerwig’s Narnia: Plot, Cast, Release Date appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
