Carey Mulligan is stepping into the world of Narnia, joining the cast of Greta Gerwig’s highly anticipated fantasy prequel for Netflix. The three-time Academy Award nominee, known for her standout performances in Bernstein, Promising Young Woman, and An Education, is set to play a pivotal emotional role in the adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew — the sixth book in C.S. Lewis’s beloved series, though chronologically the beginning of the Narnian saga.
Gerwig, fresh off the global success of Barbie, has written the screenplay and will direct the film, which begins production this summer. Mulligan will portray Digory’s ailing mother, a key figure in the story’s emotional arc. The film centres on two children who accidentally unleash the White Witch into Edwardian London through the reckless magic of an eccentric uncle — a part reportedly going to Daniel Craig. Also expected in the cast are Emma Mackey as the White Witch and Meryl Streep, lending her voice to Aslan, Narnia’s iconic lion guardian.
Mulligan’s addition further elevates an already formidable ensemble, blending prestige drama with fantasy adventure. Her recent turn in Saltburn added another layer to her versatile screen résumé, and her move into the world of magical storytelling marks an exciting shift. With Gerwig at the helm, the adaptation promises both grandeur and emotional nuance.
The film is expected to premiere with a two-week IMAX theatrical run in late 2026 before landing on Netflix just in time for the holidays — a rare cinematic rollout for the streaming giant, and one reportedly championed by Gerwig herself.
