Greta Gerwig‘s adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia for Netflix is shaping up to avoid a problem that has challenged previous versions by adjusting when the Pevensie siblings make their appearance. The new series, based on C.S. Lewis’ beloved fantasy books, will launch with The Magician’s Nephew, diverging from the Pevensie-focused approach of earlier film adaptations.
New Direction Launches Narnia Franchise Without the Pevensie Siblings
C.S. Lewis’ original Narnia novels, published from 1950 to 1956, tell the story of children from Earth entering the mystical land of Narnia, with the Pevensie siblings—Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter—becoming recurring central figures. These characters first arrive in Narnia through a magical wardrobe, a moment immortalized in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
The Chronicles of Narnia series has seen several adaptations: BBC created a trio of serials in the 1980s, while Disney and Walden Media produced three movies in the 2000s. Those films started with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, placing the Pevensies at the heart of every adaptation. In contrast, Greta Gerwig, who gained acclaim directing Barbie, will direct at least two films for Netflix, starting with an adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew, a narrative decision that dramatically alters how the franchise presents its recurring heroes.
The Disney film series ceased after three movies, never covering all seven books. This approach mirrored past adaptations that struggled with the protagonists‘ aging and the challenge of introducing fresh leads while audience expectations remained centered on the Pevensie siblings.
The Magician’s Nephew Opens Without the Franchise’s Most Iconic Children
In a significant break from previous adaptations, The Magician’s Nephew does not feature the Pevensie siblings. Although it was the sixth novel Lewis wrote, the book is a prequel set long before the events of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, detailing the origins of Narnia itself. None of the four siblings play a role in this installment, so if Gerwig follows the book closely, Lucy, Edmund, Susan, and Peter will not be present until later adaptations.
The narrative exclusion of the Pevensies is not exclusive to The Magician’s Nephew. The Silver Chair, another entry, is headlined by Eustace Scrubb, the Pevensies’ cousin, and his companion Jill Pole—showing that the series rotates its central characters. Further complicating matters, not every book that features the siblings includes all four: Peter is absent from The Horse and His Boy, Susan and Peter both miss The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and only Edmund and Lucy appear in that adventure. By the time of The Last Battle, only some of the original siblings remain as main characters.
Chronologically, the books are arranged as follows:
1. The Magician’s Nephew (1955)
2. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950)
3. The Horse and His Boy (1954)
4. Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia (1951)
5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952)
6. The Silver Chair (1953)
7. The Last Battle (1956)
This structure reflects how Narnia’s stories range widely across time, place, and cast, with varying roles for familiar and new faces.
Making Narnia’s Narrative Less Dependent on the Pevensies
The decision to begin with The Magician’s Nephew means audience expectations are managed from the outset, clarifying that the Pevensies are not the sole thread tying the whole series together. Instead, the films may focus on the evolution of Narnia itself and the lion Aslan, the world’s creator and ruler, as recurring anchors for the story. This move could help Netflix sidestep the disappointment fans have felt when the Pevensies are not present, an issue that affected the 2000s films.
Casting in previous films included William Moseley as Peter, Anna Popplewell as Susan, Georgie Henley as Lucy, and Skandar Keynes as Edmund. Their portrayals have become synonymous with the franchise, but the books themselves never positioned their adventures as the absolute core of the Narnia world.
The chronological approach that places The Magician’s Nephew first, popularized by the 1994 HarperCollins publication order and embraced by some fans, helps establish a narrative path that is less reliant on a single set of characters. It allows new storylines and protagonists to emerge organically, giving the franchise space to authentically adapt the full range of C.S. Lewis’ source material.
Still, debates continue over whether the chronological order is the “proper” way to read the series, illustrating how these choices can spark passionate reactions within the Narnia community.
A Fresh Start: Why The Magician’s Nephew Is a Unique Choice for Netflix
Beginning with The Magician’s Nephew brings a surge of originality to Netflix’s approach. Between presenting the formative moments of Narnia—such as the creation of the realm by Aslan and the planting of the magical lamppost—and exploring previously unadapted scenes like the “Wood between the Worlds,” the film promises surprising visuals for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
Unlike other books in the series, The Magician’s Nephew has never been successfully made into a feature-length movie. Though a film was once announced as a sequel to 2010’s The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, it never materialized, while previous adaptations have been limited to stage, radio, and specialized presentations. This provides Gerwig a rare opportunity to set the visual and narrative tone with minimal comparisons to established on-screen interpretations.
The task before the creative team is formidable: not only must they introduce new locations and motifs, but they must also establish Aslan’s character and magical mythology in a way that will anchor the stories to follow.
Potential Pitfalls: Following With The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe
Despite its promising start, Netflix’s Narnia franchise will likely face significant challenges when The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe comes second. As the original publication’s first book and the tale that gave the world the wardrobe portal and Narnia’s eternal winter, it has become the most frequently reimagined and the most beloved installment, with three prior television adaptations and a dominant position in the cultural memory of the property.
The book’s popularity is reflected in its Goodreads rating of 4.24—the highest out of all seven. Its closest competitor, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, holds a 4.09 rating, while The Horse and His Boy, with a rating of 3.91, is the least well-reviewed. A chronological presentation places The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe early, potentially becoming the peak of the viewing experience with less acclaimed titles to follow, which could sap momentum from the rest of the franchise.
Following with The Horse and His Boy, a story whose reception has always been mixed and its themes more contentious, could further complicate efforts to maintain audience enthusiasm after such a high point.
The Road Ahead for Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Vision on Netflix
By launching Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of The Chronicles of Narnia for Netflix with The Magician’s Nephew, the creative team is making a bold effort to break free from the usual reliance on the Pevensie siblings as the heart of Narnian cinema. This choice leverages the vastness of C.S. Lewis’ world and could help pave the way for a more robust and diverse exploration of the beloved franchise. While this approach introduces its own hurdles—especially in meeting audience expectations after the universally beloved The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe—it also signals the potential for a truly fresh take on one of fantasy literature’s best-loved series. As production takes shape, viewers and longtime fans will be watching closely to see how Gerwig and Netflix balance the old with the new in this iconic universe.
