Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree Is Heading To The Big Screen
If you’ve grown up reading Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree, things are about to get very nostalgic. The much-loved children’s books are being adapted for the screen – and there are some big names involved.
Of course we would expect nothing less than an incredible cast – only the very best to deliver the magic of Blyton’s books from paper to screen – and it seems like we will not be disappointed.. The only thing we really know at this point is that the casting for the fantasy literary adaptation is spot on – from a certain British ex-Spiderman to Bridgerton’s current leading lady, the film has snapped up some of the best and brightest talent to take fans (young and old, we hope) on a journey to the top of our favourite enchanted tree.
What is The Magic Faraway Tree about?
For the uninitiated, The Magic Faraway Tree is a series of novels created by the legendary British children’s book author Enid Blyton. The stories follow the adventures of Jo, Bessie and Fanny who move with their parents to the countryside and find themselves living near a forest. On a walk one day, they discover a huge tree whose branches seem to extend into the clouds. When they climb the tree, they find out it is the residence of several magical creatures – some friendlier than others.
“Enid Blyton’s timeless story The Magic Faraway Tree has long been captivating the hearts and minds of children and adults alike.”
The kids discover a ladder which leads them to the top of tree, taking them to a new magical land every time they visit. The children quickly learn that they must leave the land before it moves on or they will be stuck there until it returns to the Faraway Tree – and who knows when that could be?
Directed by Ben Gregor (Britannia) the film is set to be based on the same storyline. Helmed by Neal Street Productions and Elysian Film Group, the film will be adapted for screen by BAFTA award-winning Simon Farnaby – who most recently co-wrote the screenplay for Wonka. Academy award-nominee Pippa Harris (Empire of Light) and Nicolas Brown (Britannia) will produce alongside Danny Perkins (Greatest Days).
“Enid Blyton’s timeless story The Magic Faraway Tree has long been captivating the hearts and minds of children and adults alike, and I have no doubt that Farnaby and Gregor’s adaptation will resonate with modern audiences across the globe,” commented Danny Perkins, CEO, Elysian Film Group.
Who stars and what else do we know?
The cast includes some film and TV royalty including Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy who will play the children’s parents, Polly and Tim Thompson. Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan will be stepping out of her carriage, and donning some fairy wings as she takes on the role of the woodland fairy Silky. Nonso Anozie (Ted Lasso) will play Moonface (a Faraway Tree resident who has a convenient slide in his house that reaches all the way to the bottom of the tree).
Baby Reindeer’s Jessica Gunning will play Dame Washalot and Dustin Demri-Burns (Slow Horses), will serve as the Saucepan Man. Others in the cast include Mark Heap (Friday Night Dinner), Oliver Chris (Trying, My Lady Jane), Sir Lenny Henry, Michael Palin and Simon Russell Beale.
There’s no official release date for the film yet, so we can assume it will be awhile before we can whisk ourselves away to the enchanted woodlands, but until then, we suggest a return to the books for a quick recap.
Looking for your next read? Explore our list of celebrity-run book clubs to discover new authors.
