Gugu Mbatha-Raw, perhaps best known as Martha Jones’ sister Tish on Doctor Who but also appearing in the new season of Black Mirror, has signed on to join Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time. In the adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s novel—written by Jennifer Lee and directed by Ava DuVernary—Mbatha-Raw plays Meg Murry’s (Storm Reid) mother, the brilliant scientist Dr. Murry.
DuVernay tweeted the news late yesterday:
“Don’t hope it was a dream.” Thrilled to confirm that Gugu Mbatha-Raw has joined #TeamWrinkle as Dr. Murry, Meg’s mom + brilliant scientist. pic.twitter.com/13VNc6vsCe
— Ava DuVernay (@AVAETC) October 20, 2016
Mbatha-Raw joins a multiracial cast that includes Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling as Mrs. Which, Mrs. Whatsit, and Mrs. Who. Following the studio’s decision to make the Murry family multiracial, Disney is looking to cast a white actor to play Meg’s other scientist parent, the missing Dr. Murry. DuVernay has also been tweeting out photos with the hashtag #TeamWrinkle to salute the film’s inclusive cast and crew.
While Mbatha-Raw has been in film and television for the past decade, her career is really taking off with A Wrinkle in Time and several other upcoming projects. Her Black Mirror episode “San Junipero” has been highlighted among the better offerings from the new season; she’ll play Plumette in Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast; and she just wrapped production on J.J. Abrams’ forthcoming sci-fi thriller God Particle.
