Emily Mortimer on Replacing Sally Hawkins in Paddington: The Unexpected Joys of Joining the Family

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In this latest installment of “Paddington,” you’ll find the third movie has arrived! While many familiar faces are back in action, you might notice that Sally Hawkins’ character, Mary Brown, is now played by Emily Mortimer. Due to reports, Hawkins was unable to participate in the sequel because she has been dealing with lupus, an autoimmune disease that makes extensive travel challenging. As a result, Mortimer stepped in to continue the stellar performances set by Hawkins. When speaking to TopMob about joining the “Paddington” family, Mortimer spoke delightfully about her experiences as a Brown.

In my review for “Paddington in Peru,” I mentioned that the upcoming sequel is likely to be one of the most endearing films of 2025, even though it’s still early February. During a chat with Emily Mortimer and Hugh Bonneville, we discussed her taking over the role of the Brown matriarch from Sally Hawkins.

In a charming and heartwarming manner, everyone on set, including Hugh Bonneville and other actors, welcomed me as if I were a long-lost friend. This made me feel comfortable and far from being an outsider or an imposter. It was wonderful and exactly what I had hoped for since the movies radiate such a feeling of acceptance, kindness, and warmth.

Emily Mortimer initially feared feeling like an “imposter” on the set of “Paddington In Peru” since she took over a role previously played by Hawkins in 2014’s “Paddington” and its 2017 sequel. However, to her relief, she was warmly accepted, with co-star Hugh Bonneville playing a significant role in making her feel welcome. It wasn’t just Emily who joined the cast as a new member; there were others too.

For the first time in the Paddington series, a new director, Dougal Wilson, took charge (previously it was Paul King), while Antonio Banderas and Olivia Colman from Puss In Boots joined the cast. As Mortimer went on, she mentioned an unexpected factor that cropped up during filming:

What truly astonished me during my time there was an aspect that, having worked on numerous films throughout my extensive career, I hadn’t fully anticipated. It was the extraordinary attention to detail, the specificity, and the profound sense of responsibility towards this character that permeated every nook and cranny of the set and every crew member. This shared sense of duty to the character and the franchise was truly tangible, and it was a sight to behold. I had not expected such dedication, and it was truly moving to experience it.

Though it’s always disappointing when an established actor like Sally Hawkins is replaced, Emily Mortimer seamlessly joined the cast and added her unique humor and appeal to the character of Mary Brown. It seems the producers spent considerable effort in selecting a performer capable of embodying the role that Sally Hawkins initially held.

More on Paddington in Peru

Trailering Paddington in Peru indicates a fresh journey for the charming bear, and I’m eagerly willing to tag along wherever he goes!

In the latest film, the titular bear and the Brown family embark on a journey to South America to meet their relative, Aunt Lucy, the bear. However, their trip takes an unexpected turn as they find themselves smack dab in the midst of an exhilarating treasure hunt instead.

Emily Mortimer found herself joining the Paddington series at an especially thrilling chapter, which undoubtedly brought about some apprehension given the weight of the role she was stepping into. Nonetheless, she bravely accepted the opportunity to be part of the next Paddington installment that has already won praise from critics. In her portrayal of Mary Brown, Mortimer skillfully builds upon Sally Hawkins’ work while adding a unique touch to the character.

Paddington In Peru is now playing in theaters just in time for President’s Day weekend.

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2025-02-16 03:38