The iconic White Witch has her new face: Emma Mackey has officially been cast in the villainous role for Greta Gerwig’s upcoming adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia.

Mackey, best known for her breakout performance in Netflix’s Sex Education and her role in Gerwig’s Barbie, will portray Jadis, the powerful sorceress who casts a dark spell over Narnia. The upcoming film is backed by Netflix and will adapt The Magician’s Nephew, the sixth book in C.S. Lewis’ beloved fantasy series. Gerwig, who also penned the script, will direct.

This marks a reunion for Gerwig and Mackey, who last worked together on the billion-dollar blockbuster Barbie.

Casting rumors for the role of the White Witch had swirled for months, with names like pop star Charli XCX in the mix. In the end, the final decision reportedly came down to Mackey and The Substance star Margaret Qualley.

Netflix has not officially commented on the casting.

Jadis, also known as the White Witch, is the central antagonist of The Magician’s Nephew and returns as the fearsome ruler of Narnia in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, where she traps the land in eternal winter and turns her enemies to stone.

The film is still in early casting stages, but Mackey is expected to join acting legend Meryl Streep, who is in talks to voice Aslan, the noble lion and symbol of hope in Narnia.

In a rare move for Netflix, the film will enjoy a two-week Imax theatrical release in late 2026 — a decision championed by Gerwig.

Mackey’s star continues to rise. In addition to her role in Barbie, she starred in Death on the Nile and played Emily Brontë in Emily, a performance that earned her two British Independent Film Awards nominations. She is currently filming an untitled J.J. Abrams movie for Warner Bros. with Glen Powell and Jenna Ortega, and will appear at this year’s Cannes Film Festival in Julia Ducournau’s Alpha. She also leads James L. Brooks’ ensemble comedy Ella McCay, hitting theaters December 12.