The first sneak peek of Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan in her latest project has been revealed.
The actress, 37, will be starring in a live action adaptation of Enid Blyton‘s beloved The Faraway Tree.
Based on The Faraway Tree series of novels, The Magic Faraway Tree follows Polly and Tim Thompson and their children, Beth, Joe and Fran, who find themselves forced to relocate to the remote English countryside.
There, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric occupants.
The Derry Girls star has been cast as woodland fairy Silky and in the first look she is seen peering out from trees into bright sunlight.
The star is dressed in a long blonde wig and glances out nervously from behind branches.
Also starring in the hotly anticipated film is Ted Lasso‘s Nonso Anozie who has been cast as Moonface.
Baby Reindeer star Jessica Gunning has been announced as Dame Washalot and Dustin Demri-Burns as Saucepan Man.
Rounding out the cast of the magical denizens of the woodlands will be Mark Heap as Mr. Oom Boom Boom and Oliver Chris as Mr. Watzisname.
Hollywood stars Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield will play the children’s parents Polly and Tim.
British icons Sirs Lenny Henry, Michael Palin and Simon Russell Beale have also been announced and will play a trio of mystical wise men from the Land of Know-Alls.
Adapted by BAFTA Award-winner Simon Farnaby (Wonka, Paddington 2), the movie will be directed by Ben Gregor and production will commence later this month across the UK.
Oscar winning director Sam Mendes’ production company Neal Street Productions are leading the project, with their previous credits including TV smash hit Call The Midwife and big screen successes 1917 and Revolutionary Road.
As per the official synopsis for the film: ‘Soon after the family’s arrival in the countryside, the children discover a magical tree and its extraordinary and eccentric residents, including treasured characters Moonface, Silky, Dame Washalot and Saucepan Man.
‘At the top of the tree, they are transported to spectacular and fantastical lands and, through the joys and challenges of their adventures, the family learn to reconnect and value each other for the first time in years.’
Enid Blyton’s books remain actively in print to this day and have been translated into over 35 languages, selling over 500 million copies worldwide and making her the most translated children’s author in the world.
In the UK alone, over 3.5 million copies of her books are sold annually.
The Faraway Tree series remains one of her most popular, having sold over 30 million copies to date and continuing to sell over half a million copies each year to new readers.
The Magic Faraway Tree is based on The Faraway Tree series of novels for children, which include 1939’s The Enchanted Wood, 1943’s The Magic Faraway Tree, 1946’s The Folk of the Faraway Tree and 1951’s Up the Faraway Tree.
In 2022 another favourite children’s author Jacqueline Wilson penned new installements of the books, to much acclaim.
CEO of Elysian Film Group, Danny Perkins said: ‘Attracting such talented high-profile individuals to this project is testament to the power of Blyton’s enduring legacy and the continued commerciality of her storytelling.’
‘Her work continues to inspire and enchant audiences of all ages, across the world. The Magic Faraway Tree is one of her most timeless, cherished by generations, and we are honoured to be bringing her magical world to life with such a fantastic cast.’
