Emma Mackey Had Her Childhood Narnia Books Nearby When She Got Casting News
Appearing on The One Show on BBC this week to promote her latest film, actress Emma Mackey briefly touched on her upcoming role in Netflix’s Narnia movies. The hosts acknowledged she likely couldn’t share much, but asked where she was when she received the call from director Greta Gerwig.
I was home. I was in the house I grew up in, where my parents still live. It was Easter and all the Narnia books are upstairs on our bookshelf. Greta gave me the call, and I stepped outside and my heart — I didn’t know if it was bad or good news. Got the call and my mum was staring out the window like ‘Is it good? Is it good?’ It was very exciting!”
Before that call, Mackey was reportedly one of three actresses in the final testing phase for the role of Jadis, the White Witch. News of the auditions broke on April 23, revealing that Mackey, Margaret Qualley, and a third unnamed actress were in contention. Less than 48 hours later, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed that Mackey had won the role.
Production on ‘Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew’ continues in England ahead of its planned release next November in IMAX theatres.
How do you feel about Mackey’s casting several months after the news first broke? Let us know below! You can also listen to our podcasters’ initial reactions here.
I’m glad that fate was with Emma Mackey for the journey ahead she will have doing the film, but also this kinda gives off a serendipity vibe, just like Mark Ronson, like their adulthood somehow leads back to their childhood, which is very sweet in a sense.
I agree Professor Digory
Poor Emma desperately wanted to confirm what role she was playing, but the hosts had been sworn to secrecy. No title – not one hint of detail. I sure can’t wait for someone to be allowed to start talking about the project!
Quite is good. We dont wantva zegler situation. Still a year off
I know it’s kind of something an actor would be prompted to say by a studio for the marketing. And in the video it looks like she had spoken about this in the pre-interview. I can tell that by the way they brought it up. But it is still nice that she had Narnia books when she was a girl.
For all those reading this – the Narnia books make a great Christmas gift for the kids in your extended family or community! And we have new covers too!
It’s pretty touching that Emma Mackey was literally surrounded by the books when she got the call from Greta Gerwig