Emma Mackey Had Her Childhood Narnia Books Nearby When She Got Casting Call
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.