The Magic Faraway Treeis an upcoming movie based on the children’s book of the same name, which follows a family in the remote British countryside as they discover a magical tree that transports them to fantastical lands. It’s a sweet story about the importance of family, compassion, and appreciating the world around you, penned by the popular children’s author Enid Blyton. There are plenty ofgreat animated movies based on children’s books, butthere’s a sense of playful wonder toThe Magic Faraway Treethat sets it apart.
Blyton’s 1943 book was previously adapted as a collection of short TV episodes calledEnid Blyton’s Enchanted Lands: The Magic of the Faraway Tree.However,the upcoming film will take a deeper dive into the story. Simon Farnaby will pen the script, with Ben Gregor directing, promising an all-around great adaptation.The entire cast ofThe Magic Faraway Treehasn’t been announced yet, but recognizable actors will portray some of the movies biggest players.
Date Of Birth: July 24, 2025
Active Since:2005
Actor:Andrew Garfield was born to an English mother and American father in Los Angeles in 1983, but his family moved to England when he was three years old.Garfield got his acting break in 2007’sBoy A, where he played a notorious killer trying to readjust to everyday life after his release from prison. The role earned him a BAFTA award for Best Actor, and his career took off from there. He gathered international acclaim for playing Eduardo Saverin inThe Social Network, and he later played Spider-Man inThe Amazing Spider-Man.
Under The Silver Lake
Sam
Character:While few details about the upcomingMagic Faraway Treeadaptation have been announced,Deadlinehas confirmed that Garfield will voice the character Tim Thompson. He’s one of the few human characters in the story and the patriarch of the family who will discover the magical worlds through the mysterious tree door. Garfield’s character is the husband of Polly Thompson and father ofThe Magic Faraway Tree’s three central (and not yet cast) children: Beth, Joe, and Fran.
Date Of Birth: July 12, 2025
Active Since:2008
Actor:Claire Foy was born in Stockport, England in 1984 and studied drama at Liverpool John Moores University, later taking a course at Oxford School of Drama.Her first major role was in 2008’sBeing Human, where she played Julia Beckett. Foy is best known for the roles ofQueen Elizabeth II in Netflix’sThe Crown, Janet Armstrong inFirst Man, and the mother inAll of Us Strangers.
All Of Us Strangers
Mum
Character:Foy’s character, Polly, willbe one ofThe Magic Faraway Tree’s protagonists alongside Garfield. As the wife of Garfield’s Tim and mother to their three children, she’ll be exploring the wonderful worlds of Blyton’s novel alongside them.
Date Of Birth: June 12, 2025
Active Since:1999
Actor:Rebecca Ferguson was born in Stockholm, Sweden in 1983 and began her career in the Swedish soap operaNya Tider.Her first English role was Louise Fredman in 2008’sWallander,a British TV series based on the Swedish novel. The actress earned international acclaim for her work in 2014’sHercules, and she played Isla Faust inMission: Impossible - Rogue Nationthe very next year. Since then, she’s been involved in projects such asThe Greatest Showman,Doctor Sleep, andDune.Ferguson will appear in thePeaky Blinders moviealongside Cillian Murphy.
The Snowman
Katrine Bratt
Character:InThe Magic Faraway Tree, Ferguson plays the role of Dame Snap, one of the more sinister characters from Blyton’s book. Dame Snap appears in one of the less wonderful worlds that the characters encounter, where she’s a strict headmistress who enjoys punishing her students. Her name in the original book was Dame Slap.
Date Of Birth: August 12, 2025
Active Since:2003
Actor:Nicola Coughlan was born in Galway, Ireland in 1987 and studied English and Classic Civilization at the National University of Ireland. From there,she also studied at the Oxford School of Drama and landed her first role in the animated television seriesThe Fairytales. She became famous worldwide for her roles as Clare inDerry Girlsand Penelope Featherington in Netflix’sBridgerton.
Dodger
Queen Victoria
Character:InThe Magic Faraway Tree, Coughlan will portray Silky, another character carried over from Blyton’s original story. She’s one of the creatures who lives in the titular tree and quickly befriends the protagonists as they travel through the mysterious worlds it grants access to.
The Magic Faraway Tree Supporting Cast & Characters
Nonso Anozie as Moonface:Moonface is another one of the fascinating creatures from within the magic tree — and perhaps the one with whom the characters form the closest friendship. He’s played by Nonso Anozie, the British actor best known for portraying the villainous Xaro Xhoan Daxos in HBO’sGame of Thronesand Renfield in the 2013Draculaseries.
Jessica Gunning as Dame Washalot:Jessica Gunning will play the supporting role of Dame Washalot inThe Magic Faraway Tree.Gunning is an English actress who broke out in 2024 with her role in Netflix’s smash-hitBaby Reindeer.Before that, she appeared in projects such asThe OutlawsandWhite Heat.
Dustin Demri-Burns as Saucepan Man:Dustin Demri-Burns will play Saucepan Man inThe Magic Faraway Tree,another extraordinary character, who — as his name suggests — is covered in pots and pans. Demri-Burns is best known for playing Min Harper inSlow Horsesand Voltaire inThe Great.
Jennifer Saunders as Grandma Thompson:As her name suggests, Grandma Thompson is the grandmother of Tim and Polly’s children, and she plays an important role on the human side of this fantastical story. She’ll be brought to life by Jennifer Saunders, the English comedian best known forAbsolutely Fabulousand theSingmovies. Saunders also played the role of Andrea Waltham in two episodes ofFriends.
Mark Heap as Mr Oom-Boom-Boom:Mr Oom-Boom-Boom appears in another one of the distant worlds featured in Blyton’s books, and he’ll likely serve as one of the movie’s most entertaining characters. He’ll be played by actor and comedian Mark Heap, who’s best known for portraying Jim inFriday Night Dinnerand Brian Topp inSpaced. Oom-Boom-Boom will bring a much-needed sense of comedy and humor toThe Magic Faraway Tree.
The Magic Faraway Tree (2025)
Cast
The Magic Faraway Tree follows the Thompson siblings as they explore a mystical tree in the countryside, encountering its whimsical inhabitants like Moonface and Silky. Their adventures through its fantastical lands help them rediscover familial bonds, offering a journey of reconnection amidst enchanting experiences.
