The upcoming Disney+ series The Spiderwick Chronicles has cast two of its main protagonists and its villian!
Based on the book series of the same title by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black, this live-action adaptation of the popular fantasy story follows a family as they move from New York to Michigan to live in their run-down ancestral home. However, if the change in scenery wasn’t enough, the family — a single mother, twin brothers Jared and Simon Grace, and their sister Mallory — soon finds that perhaps the Spiderwick Estate is not all it seems as they find their ancestor Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide to the Natural World. A book that, as it turns out, is about a Natural World they could have never imagined: one full of fantastic creatures both good and evil.
According to Deadline Lyon Daniels (We Can Be Heros) and Noah Cottrell (Gordita Chronicles) have been cast as the twins Jared and Simon. Jared (Daniels) is the adventurous twin. He’s clever and impulsive but has some trouble controlling his anger. Simon (Cottrell), on the other hand, is more rational and an avid animal lover. Despite their many differences, the two are inseparable and even have their own language, but the stress of the move and growing up breeds resentment that threatens to disrupt this special bond.
To add to the duo’s troubles is Dr. Dorian Brauer, a.k.a. the ogre Mulgarath, who will be played by award winning actor Christian Slater — as also announced by Deadline. Mulgarath is one of the evil creatures mentioned in Arthur Spiderwick’s Field Guide, and his desire to consume everything — including people — has him chasing the knowledge within the Field Guide. Unfortunately for the twins and their family, Mulgarath has no qualms going straight through anyone and anything to get what he wants.
While you likely recognize Slater from his multitude of films and shows, including his award-winning roll in Mr. Robot and his spot in the classic film The Heathers, Cottrell and Daniels may be new to you. You can currently catch Cottrell on HBO Max in Gordita Chronicles, and he’ll be hitting your screen again in the family adventure film Boys of Summer due out later this year. Daniels, on the other hand, can be spotted on TV in Prime Video’s Patriot and in the feature film We Can Be Heroes.
While we do not yet have any idea when we can expect the show to hit our screens, we do know that the show’s first two episodes are set to be directed by Kat Coiro. Aron Eli Coleite (Locke & Key) will serve as showrunner and executive produce alongside Coiro, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Jeremy Bell, D.J. Goldberg, Julie Kane-Ritsch, and the book series’ authors Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi.
