Nkuti Gatwa is adding another big project to his growing list. The Doctor Who and Barbie star has joined Cynthia Erivo in Bad Fairies, a new animated musical comedy being developed by Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Locksmith Animation. animation magazine Confirmed.
The film, which marks the first collaboration between the two studios under a new first-look deal, is already in production in London and is set to be released in theaters on May 21, 2027.
Gatwa, who first came to fame for his role as Eric Effiong in Sex Education, is in a creative phase – balancing sci-fi, comedy and now voice work.
On stage, he has earned praise for The Importance of Being Earnest and Born with Teeth. Teaming up with Wicked star Cynthia Erivo, the 31-year-old actor is entering another adventurous world, this time, filled with rebellious fairies and plenty of music.
Bad Fairies: What to Expect?
As Animation Magazine describes it, Bad Fairies turns the fairy-tale genre on its head. It follows an anarchic and ‘pleasantly destructive’ crew of fairies who break all the rules along the way.
The film is directed by Megan Nicole Dong, best known for Centaurworld, with longtime DreamWorks animator Olivier Staphylas serving as co-director. The screenplay comes from Deborah Francis-White, whose writing is known for its wit and emotional depth.
Music plays a central role in this. Toby Marlowe and Lucy Moss, the Tony Award-winning duo behind Six: The Musical, are handling the songs. Florence + The Machine’s Isabella ‘Machine’ Summers is composing the score and contributing to the soundtrack, while Ian Eisendrath (Kpop Demon Hunters) serves as executive music producer.
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The team behind the evil fairies
Behind the scenes, the Bad Fairies bring an impressive crew. Caroline Soper is producing, with Sim Evan-Jones heading up the editing and James C.J. Williams heading up the cinematography. Character design comes from Uwe Heidschotter, while Rikke Asbjorn and Chris Garbutt head the story department. Production design is being led by Justin Hutchinson-Chatburn and Mike Redman. According to Animation Magazine, the digital animation is being handled by DNEG Animation, one of the leading London-based studios.
The film will be the first theatrical release born of the new partnership between Warner Bros. and Locksmith.
Gatava, represented by Curtis Brown, UTA, Status PR UK and Ziffren Brittenham LLP, joins a team that blends Broadway, animation and a little bit of anarchy. If the title is any indication, these aren’t your ordinary fairies – and that’s exactly the point.
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questions to ask
Who stars in Bad Fairies?
Cynthia Erivo and Nkuti Gatwa lead the cast of the upcoming animated musical.
When will Bad Fairies be released?
The film is scheduled to release in theaters on May 21, 2027.
Which studio is producing Bad Fairies?
It is a collaboration between Warner Bros. Pictures Animation and Locksmith Animation.