David McKenna has finally shared his first public comments about his role in Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, offering fans a look into one of Netflix’s most anticipated fantasy projects. The 13-year-old Belfast actor, cast as Digory Kirke, spoke about his experience working on the film during a recent interview, marking the first time he has addressed the role since his casting was officially confirmed.
The project, directed by Greta Gerwig, is set to reboot the beloved Chronicles of Narnia series with a fresh cinematic vision. With a high-profile cast and a major theatrical rollout planned before its streaming debut, the film is already generating significant buzz.
David McKenna Breaks His Silence on Narnia Role
In an interview with Decider, McKenna reflected on his time working on the film while promoting his role in Netflix’s Lord of the Flies. Although he remained cautious about revealing plot details, his excitement was clear.
“It was a brilliant experience, honestly. I mean, I can’t wait to talk about it a lot more whenever that time comes,”
McKenna said.
“But no, it was a brilliant experience and Greta was amazing to work with. She’s just brilliant. And yeah, I can’t wait for everyone to see it and I hope they all enjoy it.”
The comments suggest that while strict production secrecy is still in place, the young actor is eager to share more once promotional restrictions are lifted.
Before his casting was officially announced, McKenna had only hinted at his involvement in a major project. In an earlier conversation with Deadline, he revealed that he had
“wrapped a feature film that will be on IMAX this year,”
without naming the project directly. That mystery has now been resolved, confirming his role as Digory, a central character in The Magician’s Nephew storyline.
The role marks a significant milestone in McKenna’s career, positioning him as a rising talent in major studio productions. His involvement in both Narnia and Lord of the Flies also highlights his growing presence within Netflix-backed projects.
Working With Greta Gerwig and a Star-Studded Cast
McKenna’s praise for Greta Gerwig adds to the anticipation surrounding the film, as the director is known for her distinct storytelling style. The project also features an impressive lineup, including Meryl Streep and Daniel Craig, further elevating expectations.
While McKenna did not go into detail about his co-stars, the opportunity to work alongside such established names is seen as a major advantage for a young actor at the start of his career. The film aims to blend large-scale fantasy with emotional storytelling, something Gerwig has previously excelled at in her past work.
The actor’s casting has also been supported by strong industry backing. Renowned casting director Nina Gold, who worked on both Lord of the Flies and the Narnia film, spoke highly of McKenna in an interview with IndieWire.
“He’s quite a kind of old soul, isn’t he? You feel like you can see into his brain somehow when he’s looking at you from the screen. He really is quite unusually brilliant,”
Gold said.
Her comments reinforce the idea that McKenna’s casting was a deliberate choice aimed at capturing the emotional depth required for Digory’s character.
