Emma Thompson To Play Miss Trunchbull In Netflix Adaptation Of Matilda

We cannot wait for the Netflix remake of Matilda the Musical, and now more cast members have been announced.

Emma Thompson has landed the role of fearsome headmistress Miss Trunchbull in the new version, which is based on Tim Minchin's award-winning West End musical.

Matilda, which follows a talented young girl from a neglected background, makes an enemy out of Miss Trunchbull when she starts at a new school. The cruel teacher's hatred of the little girl sees Matilda slammed in her makeshift torture chamber 'The Chokey'.

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Fans will recognise veteran performer Emma, 61, for her numerous acting rules including as Sybill Trelawney in the Harry Potter franchise, as well as villainous politician Vivienne Rook in Years and Years and the titular character in Nanny McPhee.

The news comes after actor Ralph Fiennes was being considered for a role.

Also cast in the film, which draws influence from Roald Dahl's 1998 children's book of the same film, is No Time To Die star Lashana Lynch who will star as Miss Honey and newcomer Alisha Weir will be playing Matilda herself.

Speaking about his take on a beloved children's classic, director Matthew Warchus described Matilda the Musical as "an imaginative and fresh retelling of the award-winning musical featuring talented young newcomers, alongside established stars".

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"I look forward to introducing this beloved and powerful story to a new generation of fans around the world," he added.

Matilda has previously been adapted for the big screen, with Danny DeVito's popular 1996 version a childhood favourite.

DeVito directed and produced the film, as well as starring as car grifter and Matilda's father Mr Harry Wormwood.

Mara Wilson starred as Matilda in the film, and has recently opened up about how Danny made her feel special while she was on set.

"His family took me under their wing as a kind of second family," she said.

"Danny and his wife, Rhea, they would let me come over to their house.

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We would have sleepovers, we went to go see plays, we went to see movies.

"They made sure I was also being treated like a kid. I played with their kids, just like any other kids."

Topics: TV News, TV & Film, TV Entertainment, Netflix

Kimberley Bond

Kim is a journalist at Tyla, and has previously worked at the Evening Standard, Radio Times as well as several national newspapers. A showbiz obsessive and a television fanatic, Kim is particularly interested in celebrity gossip, A-list events and the latest releases on either the big or small screen. Contact her at [email protected]

@0xKimberley