Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan, Sweet Tooth actor Nonso Anozie and Baby Reindeer’s Jessica Gunning are set to star in a film adaptation of Enid Blyton’s novel The Magic Faraway Tree.
Coghlan confirmed the news on Thursday, sharing a report by the US-based entertainment magazine Deadline on Instagram. “THE MAGIC FARAWAY TREE. I’m so, so excited to be a part of this movie I can’t even express it, and this cast is so incredible, feel so lucky. In my Fairy Era,” she wrote on Instagram.
Blyton’s novel is set in an enchanted wood in which grows an enormous magical tree, known as the Faraway Tree. This tree is so tall that its upper branches reach into the clouds; it is wide enough to house small dwellings carved into its trunk. Three children discover the tree and befriend its residents, embarking on adventurous journeys together.
According to Deadline, Coughlan will portray the woodland fairy Silky, Anozie will play self-appointed leader Moonface and Gunning will take on the role of Dame Washalot. Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield will play the parents of a family that moves to the English countryside and discovers the tree.
The cast also includes Dustin Demri-Burns as the Saucepan Man, Mark Heap as Mr Oom Boom Boom and Oliver Chris as Mr. Watzisname.
The film’s production will begin later this month in the UK. The script is written by Simon Farnaby, known for his work in Wonka (2023) and Paddington 2 (2017).
Ashland Hill Media Finance is fully financing the film helmed by Ben Gregor, while Palisades Park Pictures is managing its worldwide sales, with CAA Media Finance co-representing its US rights.
