No one really knows for sure what Greta Gerwig’s Narnia movie is—though everyone seems certain it’s The Magician’s Nephew, the chronologically first book in the series—but we now know one thing about it for sure: As The Hollywood Reporter says, it’s got Sex Education star Emma Mackey as Jadis, the White Witch.
The role marks a reunion for actor and director; Mackey was also in Gerwig’s Barbie. Earlier this month, Deadline reported that Meryl Streep was in talks to play Aslan in the film, but there’s been no confirmation since.
Very little is known about this hopefully blockbuster Narnia adaptation, other than the aforementioned notion that Gerwig is starting with Magician’s Nephew. It was the sixth book published in the series, but is a prequel that—in the midst of a portal fantasy that takes two children to the Wood Between the Worlds—gets deep into Narnian lore and history. Jadis makes her way to England, Narnia gets formed, all kinds of interesting things happen. Starting here is an intriguing idea that means Gerwig’s Narnia will set out on its own terms before visiting The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, which is much more familiar (and previously adapted) territory.
Along with Sex Education (pictured above), Mackey has recently played Emily Bronte in Emily and is set to star in upcoming films from J.J. Abrams and James L. Brooks.
Gerwig’s Narnia film is set for a release in IMAX at Thanksgiving of next year, and will subsequently arrive on Netflix.