- Full Name: Emma Margaret Marie Tachard-Mackey
- Born: January 4, 1994
- Birthplace: Le Mans, France
- Nationality: British-French
- Height: 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm)
- Hair Color: Brown
- Eye Color: Hazel
- Languages: English, French
- Education: University of Leeds (Degree in English Language and Literature)
- Occupation: Actress
- Known For: Emily (2022), Death on the Nile (2022), Barbie (2023)
- Role in Narnia: Jadis (The Magician’s Nephew)
Biography
Emma Mackey is a talented British-French actress who has quickly gained recognition for her dynamic performances and strong screen presence. Born in Le Mans, France, to a French father and an English mother, Mackey was raised in Sablé-sur-Sarthe before moving to England for her education. She graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in English Language and Literature.
Mackey’s acting career began with early roles that highlighted her ability to convey intelligence, depth, and emotional strength. She earned critical acclaim for her portrayal of Emily Brontë in the biographical drama Emily (2022), a role that showcased her command of complex, introspective characters. She also appeared in Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Death on the Nile (2022) and in the globally celebrated film Barbie (2023).
Emma Mackey’s performances are often praised for their blend of grace, inner strength, and emotional nuance, qualities that have made her one of the most promising actresses of her generation.
Role in Narnia: Jadis
In Netflix’s upcoming adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew, Emma Mackey will portray Jadis, the powerful and terrifying Queen of Charn who later becomes the White Witch of Narnia.
In The Magician’s Nephew, Jadis is depicted in her original form: a queen of a ruined world, proud, beautiful, and fearsome, capable of immense destruction. Mackey’s role will explore Jadis’s earlier history, including her use of the “Deplorable Word” to destroy her own world and her arrival in the newly-created Narnia.
Mackey’s ability to embody characters with authority, mystery, and internal complexity makes her an ideal choice to bring the young Jadis to life. Audiences can expect her performance to balance regal elegance with ruthless ambition, offering a deeper look into the character’s tragic and terrifying origins.
What to Expect
Emma Mackey’s portrayal of Jadis is anticipated to be:
- Commanding and Charismatic – Reflecting Jadis’s majesty and overwhelming presence.
- Complex and Layered – Showing the internal conflicts and pride that define her character.
- True to Lewis’s Vision – Capturing the awe and dread that Jadis inspires in both Charn and Narnia.
Her role will be crucial in setting the tone for Netflix’s vision of Narnia, particularly by establishing the origins of one of its greatest villains.
Emma Mackey brings a combination of talent, intelligence, and intensity to the role of Jadis in The Magician’s Nephew. As Netflix breathes new life into C.S. Lewis’s timeless world, Mackey’s portrayal promises to offer a compelling and memorable depiction of a character whose actions will echo throughout the history of Narnia.