- A new Mary Poppins television series is in development, drawing directly from P. L. Travers’ original darker and stranger version of the character.
- The upcoming reboot is being developed and produced by Tom Winchester for Pure Fiction Television, with early talks happening at Disney but no agreements finalized yet.
- P. L. Travers’ Mary Poppins is often portrayed as more enigmatic and dangerous in the original book series, contrasting with the more cheerful on-screen adaptations.
Mary Poppins is getting a new TV show reboot at Disney+. The beloved character will once again return to the screen, but this time with a twist.
According to Deadline, a Mary Poppins television series is in development. However, it won’t be the usual cheerful retelling of Disney’s 1964 movie starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. Instead, the proposed show will draw directly from P. L. Travers’ original eight Mary Poppins books, exploring a much darker and stranger version of the character.
The upcoming television reboot is being developed and produced by Tom Winchester for Pure Fiction Television. He is developing the series after optioning the rights from the trustees of the P.L. Travers estate.ter in discussions with top showrunners
The project reportedly does not require Disney’s involvement from a rights perspective. However, there is hope that the studio may want to come on board, given its history with the IP. No agreements have been finalized yet, and the project remains at the pitch stage.
The original books offer a stranger version of Mary Poppins
P. L. Travers’ Mary Poppins is often portrayed as more enigmatic and sometimes even more dangerous than her on-screen adaptations have showcased so far. The beloved character’s adventures in the original book series can be surreal and terrifying at times.
Mary Poppins had been previously brought to life by Dame Julie Andrews in Disney’s Oscar-winning 1964 musical adaptation. However, Travers was critical of the studio’s vision for the movie, a rift that was later dramatized in the 2013 biographical film Saving Mr. Banks. Emma Thompson played the popular author and Tom Hanks portrayed Walt Disney.
Disney’s 2018 sequel, Mary Poppins Returns, starred Emily Blunt as the titular nanny. The ensemble cast also featured Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Dick Van Dyke, Angela Lansbury, Colin Firth, Meryl Streep, and David Warner.
