Emma Mackey has landed the role of the White Witch in Narnia, Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of the foundational fantasy novels by C.S. Lewis.

Gerwig’s take on The Chronicles of Narnia, which is being backed by Netflix, will reportedly tackle the sixth novel of the series, The Magician’s Nephew. Gerwig directs from a script she wrote. The casting decision marks a reunion for Mackey and the director, after working together on Barbie.

Reports state that Charli XCX was at one point tipped for the role of the White Witch, but that it eventually came down to Mackey and Margaret Qualley, who has received much acclaim recently for starring opposite Demi Moore in The Substance.

The White Witch is the primary antagonist in not only Magician’s Nephew, but also the first book, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. She is the one responsible for sending Narnia into an endless winter, and was known for turning her enemies into statues.

Casting is still underway, but Mackey will be joining Meryl Streep, who is in talks to play Aslan, the King of Kings. The film is getting a two-week theatrical release in late 2026, so further casting announcements are expected soon.

Emma Mackey, best known for her starring role in Netflix’s Sex Education, recently starred as the titular character in Emily, a reimagining of the life of Emily Brontë that scored the actress two BIFA nominations. She’s also in production on J.J. Abrams’ untitled feature for Warner Bros., starring alongside Glen Powell and Jenna Ortega. She also has a supporting role in Alpha, the latest movie from Titane and Raw filmmaker Julia Ducournau, which premieres soon at Cannes.