Report: Actors Playing Digory and Polly Revealed!
We may have found our Digory and Polly!
What’s On Netflix claim to have identified the young actors on set this week, who are presumed to be playing Digory and Polly, in Greta Gerwig and Netflix’s adaptation of ‘The Magician’s Nephew’.
David McKenna, who, like C.S. Lewis himself, hails from Belfast Northern Ireland, is reportedly playing Digory Kirke. David has had a number of roles in Musical Theater, and recently starred in an upcoming adaptation of ‘The Lord of the Flies’ for the BBC. David appears to be 13 years old at present.
Meanwhile Beatrice Campbell (who appears to be credited as Beatrice Cohen in some sources) is reportedly playing Polly Plummer. Beatrice has two screen credits to her name – one in Wes Anderson’s ‘The Phoenician Scheme’ and one in the Hulu / Disney+ drama series ‘The Stolen Girl’.
We’d like to wish both actors all the best in their new roles!
Welcome to Narnia, David and Beatrice!
There’s something a bit mischievous in Beatrice’s smile. They’re both such cuties though. They’re very lucky to be a part of this!
Yay! Finally some more casting news! Looking forward to see how this all plays out!
With respect to the actors, my enthusiasm has evaporated now we know it’s all been moved to the 50s.
This is exciting!!!
How sure are we that these are the cast for the 2 roles? Are they proven beyond reasonable doubt?
Yes, Beatrice’s smile looks a bit cheeky. But I can see her be a version of Polly that Gerwig would write.
Congratulations to the both of them. Such a wonderful opportunity! I hope they enjoy their visit in Narnia 🙂
What a moment for these two. We’ll be right behind you, David and Beatrice!
Watch out for suspicious rings, bells and evil queens.
Honestly, I think the actors are so cute, and sweet looking, I hope they love their stay in Narnia! No matter what, I am happy for these actors and I am glad to add to them to the Friends of Narnia.
How old are they, especially Beatrice? Cause she looks older than David
Congratulations to David and Beatrice!
From the first set photo of the two actors Beatrice reminded me of Margot from The Durrells and David reminded me of a live action version of Russell from Up. Again, so excited for these two, and welcome to Narnia!
Initially I really didn’t like the idea of setting it in the 1950s. Then I started to think about the difference between the age of todays audience and the setting, 2026-1955=71 years.
1955-1900=55 years. “This is a story about something that happened along ago when your grandfather was a child.” My granddaughter will be 8 next year. she’s the audience I care about. When I start to see the story through her eyes, I think 1955 is good. Just please, please, don’t mess with Aslan.
They do look like they’d be good for the roles, I must say!
Also, even though I’m still largely uncomfortable with the time shift, I can appreciate MrEd’s comment that the setting would have a similar impact for modern children to what it would have had for Lewis’ original audience.
Very nice. Youll dont worry it might not happen.
I like the casting for Polly, she’s pretty much what I imagined in my head while reading the books. Idk about Digory, though, but he looks like he gives off funny vibes.
Rick Kuhn, what might not happen?… The movie will happen for sure so what might not happen?
I appreciate the clarity in your post.
@Clement, there has been rare cases of a movie that’s never been released after it was completed. Like Warner’s Batgirl about 2 years ago.
But you’re right, they’ve started filming this Narnia movie, so it’s almost certainly going to be released.
Do you think we’re going to get another podcast episode soon?
I have a question regarding like the production of the film is does anyone know how much is given to produce it? I just wanted to ask because like given the certain observed changes like the possible setting of 1950s is probably due to conversation back and forth from the production regarding where the money is being spent? To clarify what I mean is that usually the production of a film is like preparing for a wedding venue where you have to factor how the wedding looks based on the certain decorations and elements being factored before seeing the sum of the whole cost of the venue. It possible originally they might have leaned on the Victorian setting but the issues would raise:
1 ) Where or which location give of Victorian vibes? Is the space available as in no other filming company is using it during the planned schedule for the filming? Is it does not exist do we have CGI it and if so how much is CGI and at what cost? Also, if put in Victorian era will there be enough clothes of that time to be made and at what cost or is there extra clothes from old films/ shows that exist that can be reused or are they being rented for other filming companies currently?
This questioning might have factor in leading to the 1950s setting:
1 ) Are there available locations to set it in 1950s when factoring CGI stuff? Are there reasonable budget to make clothes or rent from old clothes from old shows and films that exist that can be cheap for us?
I know I am just focusing on like the parts of Earth in the Magician Nephew and, but this thinking could apply to certain factors say with Charn or the creation of Narnia
Also, I was wondering if we have been given a certain amount of money to produce this film, then what production factor you rank is more important to invest the given money you have which also mean other factors of the film have to adjust to the change. I have this feeling the factor that Rank #1 would be the CGI of the Creation of Narnia and Charn (and a bit of earth) cause if we know the book being filmed is Magician Nephew and reading the book and knowing how the book unfold, would it not be expected that the importance because the CGI factor of the film as that would be a definitive factor in how the films looks and given using Vistavision/35mm the precision of the look of the film must be secured. That why I wanted to know ( if anyone who work with CGI before have insights) could estimate the cost based on the film being Magician Nephew the amount of CGI, props and setting production, makeup and clothes, music, locations area, crew and extras, and other factor would cost just out of curiosity?
I love the girl but I’m sorry, Digory is horribly, terribly miscast. David seems to be a great funny guy but casting him as Digory… man.
@ Alice
Well, at least he’s Caucasian, that’s the first right decision in casting an English character. Most modern casting doesn’t even get past that modern hurdle: the pressure by activists etc to cast non-white actors in roles that would be best filled by white actors. It’s ridiculous, but it happens all the time now in film and tv. For the longest time I thought at least one of these two kids would be cast to fill a diversity quota, which all of Narniaweb would object to, but the filmmakers could’ve easily done with no accountability. So I’m glad that is not the case so far with these kids. They look English enough for me, but whether or not they are well cast due to their acting and presence, that remains to be seen.
I love this casting. I love how ordinary they look—the kind of children you’d pass on the street without thinking twice about. The kind of people Aslan’s Country is made for.
At least under Gerwig we’re not likely to get 2008 eyeliner on a midcentury character *cough*Susan*cough*
It is lovely to finally meet David and Beatrice, the new Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer. I hope they do well in their roles. Yes, I agree with Ian who has posted above my comment that they look like the sort of everyday children we can most relate to.
It’s very cool that they get to play Polly and Digory. I hope they enjoy their time being in Narnia. They look adventurous too, like they would search for Narnia and go on a journey with Fledge to explore the new world!
Yay! Welcome to Narnia, David and Beatrice! Hopefully they get the wonderful experience that Georgie, William, Anna, and Skandar talked about during their stay. I think they look really cute. Beatrice looks like a perfect Polly, mischievous, with a very intelligent look in her eyes. I agree with others that David looks a little more like a Eustace, but if his acting is convincing enough, I think he’ll be just fine! I am curious about the whole shifting-the-timeline-to-1950s as I am a history geek and love all things Victorian London and 1940s (referencing LWW) but I’m being open minded. As long as Aslan stays Aslan *wink* I’m okay!
Hello. Do you need more actors (who are 12 years old and girl) in the movie? I want to be! I really love Narnia! I read all books!
If you won’t reply me I will delete this mesage 🙁