Star-Studded Cast Joins Film Adaptation of Enid Blyton's 'The Magic Faraway Tree'

Jennifer Saunders, Hiran Abeysekera, and Pippa Bennett-Warner join the cast of Enid Blyton's 'The Magic Faraway Tree' film adaptation. The movie, directed by Ben Gregor, features an ensemble cast including Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, and Lenny Henry. Filming is underway in England.

The film adaptation of Enid Blyton's 'The Magic Faraway Tree' has added Jennifer Saunders, Hiran Abeysekera, and Pippa Bennett-Warner to its cast, as reported by Variety. This family adventure, based on Blyton's beloved 'The Faraway Tree' series, unfolds as the Thompson family relocates to the English countryside and encounters a mystical tree that transports them to whimsical lands.

The series, penned by British author Enid Blyton, includes novels such as 'The Enchanted Wood' (1939), 'The Magic Faraway Tree' (1943), 'The Folk of the Faraway Tree' (1946), and 'Up the Faraway Tree' (1951). In the film, Saunders portrays the children's grandmother, Abeysekera takes on the role of the Angry Pixie, and Bennett-Warner plays Hannah, the grandmother's assistant. New talent Delilah Bennett-Cardy, Billie Gadsdon, and Phoenix Laroche will feature as the Thompson children.

The impressive cast further includes Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Nicola Coughlan, Jess Gunning, Nonso Anozie, Dustin Demri Jones, Mark Heap, Oliver Chris, Lenny Henry, Simon Russell Beale, and Michael Palin. Filming commenced in the South of England and at Shinfield Studios in Reading. Simon Farnaby is responsible for the screenplay, with Ben Gregor directing.

Producers Pippa Harris and Nicolas Brown from Neal Street Productions, Danny Perkins of Elysian Film Group, and Jane Hooks are behind the project. Harris expressed excitement about the recent additions, stating, 'Just when we thought our casting line-up couldn't get any more thrilling, we have been joined by these hugely gifted actors. I know they will bring wit, wonder, and warmth to their performances, and we're delighted that they are joining us for this magical adventure,' reported Variety.

(With inputs from agencies.)