Netflix set to develop ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ as TV and film series

After triumphing with the affairs of the Royal family, Netflix is turning its attention to the Kings and Queens of Narnia. 

The streaming service, which has won plaudits for its original series The Crown, has signed a multi-year deal to adapt C.S Lewis's classic children's novels. 

It marks the first time that rights to all seven Narnia books, including The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, have been held by the same company.  

Multiple television and film projects are planned, with stories developed from across the Narnian universe. 

It is not the first time the books have been adapted, but the Netflix production is likely to benefit from technological advances and a higher budget than the BBC version from the late 1980s which relied on an animatronic Aslan.  

Disney has previously released movie adaptations of three of the Narnia books, The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, Prince Caspian and The Voyage Of The Dawn Treader between 2005 and 2010. The first film was a box office success, grossing $745m, but Prince Caspian made $419m and Dawn Treader fared similarly.   

Douglas Gresham, the author's stepson, said in a statement: “It is wonderful to know that folks from all over are looking forward to seeing more of Narnia, and that the advances in production and distribution technology have made it possible for us to make Narnian adventures come to life all over the world.

“Netflix seems to be the very best medium with which to achieve this aim, and I am looking forward to working with them towards this goal.”

The Narnia books have sold more than 100 million copies and been translated in more than 47 languages worldwide.

Ted Sarandos, chief content officer at Netflix, said: “C.S. Lewis' beloved Chronicles Of Narnia stories have resonated with generations of readers around the world.

“Families have fallen in love with characters like Aslan and the entire world of Narnia, and we're thrilled to be their home for years to come.”