‘Chronicles of Narnia’: Emma Mackey Set to Play White Queen in Greta Gerwig Directorial!!

After casting Margot Robbie in Barbie, Greta Gerwig has decided to take the unusual step of casting her clone, Emma Mackey, in a key role as The White Witch in her upcoming Narnia movie. Mackey has officially landed the coveted role of Jadis, the villainous spellcaster, in Netflix’s upcoming Chronicles of Narnia film. Mackey, fresh off her success in Barbie (also directed by Gerwig), will lead the dark side of the magical world in what looks like being a unique and bold take on The Magician’s Nephew, the sixth book in C.S. Lewis’ iconic fantasy series.

While Netflix has declined to comment officially, sources confirmed to THR that Mackey beat out stiff competition for the role — including The Substance star Margaret Qualley — after months of casting rumors that even at one point linked pop star Charli XCX to the part. No brat winter then?

In the novels, Jadis, or the White Witch, is a powerful and malevolent figure who brings eternal winter to Narnia and turns her enemies into stone, because that’s a mature response. Though she’s best known for her role in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, her origins are deeply explored in The Magician’s Nephew, which Gerwig is adapting.

Mackey is the next big casting milestone for Gerwig’s Narnia project, following the revelation that Meryl Streep was in discussions to play Aslan, the noble lion, Narnia’s symbol of hope, and by no means whatsoever a metaphor for God and such. Gerwig, who also penned the screenplay, is once again working with Netflix after her mega-success with Barbie. In a rare move for the streamer, Narnia will receive a two-week IMAX theatrical run in late 2026 — a move Gerwig personally advocated for to give the fantasy epic the big-screen debut it deserves.

Where Do I Know Emma Mackey From?

For Mackey, the White Witch role continues an impressive streak. The actress broke out with Sex Education on Netflix, then transitioned to film with roles in Death on the Nile and Barbie. Her turn as Emily Brontë in Emily earned her two British Independent Film Awards nominations, and she’s set to appear in a slew of high-profile projects, including J.J. Abrams’ untitled Warner Bros. film with Glen Powell and Jenna Ortega, and Julia Ducournau’s Alpha, expected to debut at Cannes. She also leads Ella McCay, James L. Brooks’ return to the big screen, which is scheduled for release in December 2025.