A new Mary Poppins television series is reportedly in early development, with producer Winchester reportedly approaching showrunners to adapt the iconic nanny for the small screen in a way that stays closer to the source material than her cinematic predecessors. The project, produced through Winchester’s Pure Fiction Television, comes in the wake of the 2018 film Mary Poppins Returns, and its stated ambition is to recast the beloved character with the psychological depth and narrative weight that a prestige drama format can deliver.
Winchester is producing the series through his production company, Pure Fiction Television, which is backed by See-Saw Films and the British talent agency Hamilton Hodell. See-Saw Films has earned a reputation for high-calibre, character-driven drama, having produced the critically acclaimed Power of the Dog and the hit series Slow Horses. That pedigree suggests the Mary Poppins adaptation could lean into the darker, more grounded tone that these partners are known for, rather than the whimsical musical tradition the character is famous for.
A Nanny Reimagined From the Novels
The reported direction of the series marks a deliberate departure from the versions audiences know best. Mary Poppins is probably best known thanks to Disney’s 1964 film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke. While a critical and commercial success, the film diverged from the novels with its musical whimsy and was heavily criticized by P.L. Travers, as dramatized in the movie Saving Mr. Banks. Disney revived the character with Mary Poppins Returns, starring Emily Blunt in the title role alongside Broadway legend Lin-Manuel Miranda. Disney also adapted the original film into a stage musical that ran on the West End and later Broadway.
Unlike those iterations, the upcoming series does not need Disney’s involvement, as Winchester already holds the rights to the books. The novels, penned by Travers, present a far more complex and sometimes unsettling figure than the cheerful nanny of the films, and Winchester’s stated goal is to honor that richer literary source.
Will Disney Be Involved?
While the project does not require Disney’s participation, Winchester is reportedly in talks with the company anyway. There is hope that Disney would join the project in some capacity due to its long and defining history with the character. The relationship between the two parties remains uncertain, and the outcome of those discussions could shape the series’ tone, budget, and distribution.
Winds in the east, mist coming in. Like something is brewing, about to begin. What that something is appears to be a Mary Poppins TV show.
Production insider
The atmosphere around the project is one of cautious optimism. Winchester’s approach signals a willingness to treat Mary Poppins not as a nostalgic brand to be mined for songs and nostalgia, but as a literary figure capable of sustaining a slow-burning, character-focused drama. Fans of the novels, in particular, may welcome a version that prioritizes the source material’s subtlety over the films’ overt charm.
Looking Ahead
The series remains firmly in early development, with Winchester still in the process of approaching showrunners and finalizing the creative team. No confirmed release window, network, or streaming home has been announced, and the Disney partnership question remains unresolved. As the project moves forward, the key variables will be whether Winchester secures Disney’s involvement and which showrunner is ultimately chosen to helm the adaptation.
For now, the Mary Poppins TV series stands as one of the most intriguing potential prestige dramas in development, promising to bring a beloved character into a new era of television storytelling. Whether it becomes a faithful return to the novels or a fresh reinterpretation remains to be seen, but the groundwork is clearly being laid for something ambitious.
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