Fairy role in new Disney movie

Miranda Hart is to star in the new movie version of The Nutcracker.

Dame Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman and Keira Knightley will also appear in the live-action Disney movie

Hart will play the fairy Dew Drop, who offers comic relief in the classic ballet.

She tweeted: ‘I won't lie, I am very excited to be playing a fairy. (Natural casting).’

Director Lasse Hallstrom is based on ETA Hoffmann's 1816 story The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, which was turned into a Tchaikovsky ballet, about a girl given a Nutcracker doll which comes to life on Christmas Eve.

Twilight Saga actress Mackenzie Foy will play Clara while Knightley will play the Sugar Plum Fairy in the film.

Miranda Hart pulled out of Call the Midwife earlier this year, citing work commitments, as well as a planned remake of Frankie Howerd Up Pompeii. She has just released the book Peggy And Me about her adventures with her pet dog.

Published: 12 Oct 2016