Picture: MCPIX / Disney
Cameras have been rolling for Netflix’s Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew for some time now, and recently we’ve been able to identify the two main leads as David McKenna and Beatrice Campbell. This week, there’s more news and tidbits from the upcoming Greta Gerwig movie as filming moves to Manchester.
First up are newly published photos by UnboxPHD over the weekend, which show Jadis, the White Witch, or more precisely, her double with Digory’s (David McKenna) dummy. They were filming around the Tower of London, an iconic London tourist staple. Jadis’ role has been rumored to have gone to Emma Mackey, but so far, that hasn’t been confirmed. And here’s a little video of her galloping through the streets with the boy:
Jadis’ outfit drew some criticism online, along with the decision to change the time period and have the events start in the 1950s as opposed to much earlier in the books. We’ve got a bigger article on some of the other criticisms leveled against the new film for later in the week.
Filming Begins Around Castlefield in Manchester
This week sees the movie move to the North of England to film in Manchester, and we’ve got some first look snaps, including a few of Digory, played by McKenna. Per the photographer, Mark Campbell, extras and McKenna were spotted walking through a fish dock in the Castlefield area that has been dressed as 1950s London.
Filming has not wrapped in London, however. We’re told more street locations are planned in the heart of England throughout September.
PIX BY MARK CAMPBELL/MCPIX
PIX BY MARK CAMPBELL/MCPIX
PIX BY MARK CAMPBELL/MCPIX
PIX BY MARK CAMPBELL/MCPIX
PIX BY MARK CAMPBELL/MCPIX
PIX BY MARK CAMPBELL/MCPIX
PIX BY MARK CAMPBELL/MCPIX
Filming at Manchester’s Victoria Baths
Earlier this month, Narniaweb reported that The Magician’s Nephew would be filming at Manchester’s Victoria Baths at the end of August. We managed to confirm this and add that the dates are exactly from August 26 to August 30, 2025.
The casting call Narniaweb uncovered mentioned the filming required 40 boys aged 11 to 14 for a bath sequence. They’d also need short, tidy, and neat hair for the 50s setting. That confirms the scene is set in the real world, although it might be an original scene.
Another detail is that the casting call only needs boys and no girls. That would imply a possible boarding school for Digory or some other gender-segregated setting in the 50s.
A small cast addition
We’ve learned that Tom Bonington has been cast as Mr. Potts in Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew. Mr. Potts doesn’t seem to be a book character, but rather someone created for the movie. Netflix did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the
Tom Bonington’s credits include Hijack, Andor, Black Ops, and more.
As a reminder, here’s the rest of the cast, rumored and confirmed:
- David McKenna as Digory Kirke
- Beatrice Campbell as Polly Plummer
- Meryl Streep as Aslan (rumored)
- Emma Mackey as The White Witch (rumored)
- Daniel Craig as Uncle Andrew (rumored)
- Carey Mulligan (rumored)
- Tom Bonington as Mr. Potts
Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew working title
Finally, we’ve learned the working title, or codename, of this production: Ordinary Time. The codename comes from a line spoken by Digory in the novel:
“I don’t know that I care much about living on and on after everyone I know is dead. I’d rather live an ordinary time and die and go to Heaven.”
The title itself doesn’t signify much beyond that. It’s only intended for internal use by the cast and crew, such as in casting calls, to help preserve secrecy. Of course, these things eventually come to light for those who look closely enough.
Filming for Narnia is expected to take place in the South and East of the UK, as well as Shepperton Studios, as its home base. The movie is currently scheduled to be released in late 2026 with an IMAX release.
Are you looking forward to Netflix’s new Narnia movie? Let us know in the comments down below.
