Paddington in Peru is the 2024 live-action animated adventure comedy directed by Dougal Wilson, expanding the beloved bear’s cinematic journey beyond Windsor Gardens. The film unites established voice talent with high-profile new additions, sending Paddington and the Brown family through the Amazon rainforest and Peruvian mountain peaks to locate Aunt Lucy at the Home for Retired Bears. StudioCanal produced the feature, which runs for 106 minutes and 15 seconds, making it the longest instalment in the trilogy to date.
For similar ensemble casting in contemporary family franchises, see the Cast of How to Train Your Dragon 4 – Live-Action Remake Full Cast.
Who Is in the Cast of Paddington 3?
The cast of Paddington in Peru balances continuity with fresh energy, combining returning voices from the first two films with established British and international stars. The ensemble supports the narrative shift from London to Peru while maintaining the domestic warmth that defines the franchise.
Paddington (voice)
Henry Brown
Reverend Mother
Villainous character
- Ben Whishaw returns to voice Paddington, maintaining vocal continuity since the 2014 original.
- Emily Mortimer replaces Sally Hawkins as Mary Brown due to production scheduling conflicts.
- Olivia Colman joins as the Reverend Mother, performing a musical number within the film.
- Antonio Banderas appears as a villainous character, broadening the franchise’s international appeal.
- Julie Walters returns as Mrs Bird, providing household continuity across all three films.
- Carla Tous joins the ensemble as a new character situated in the Peruvian setting.
- The expanded cast occupies the series’ longest runtime, allowing deeper character development.
| Actor | Character | Status | Notable Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ben Whishaw | Paddington (voice) | Returning | Voice continuity since 2014 |
| Hugh Bonneville | Henry Brown | Returning | Family patriarch |
| Emily Mortimer | Mary Brown | New | Replaced Sally Hawkins |
| Julie Walters | Mrs Bird | Returning | Household anchor |
| Olivia Colman | Reverend Mother | New | Antagonist with musical number |
| Antonio Banderas | Villainous character | New | International star addition |
| Carla Tous | Additional character | New | Peruvian setting expansion |
Who Plays Paddington and Key Returning Roles?
Who Voices Paddington Bear?
Ben Whishaw reprises his role as the voice of Paddington, maintaining the sonic identity established in the 2014 original and its 2017 sequel. The character appears through full motion-capture and computer-generated animation, with Whishaw’s vocal performance providing the emotional anchor for the bear’s Peruvian adventure. Source
The Brown Family Returns
Hugh Bonneville returns as Henry Brown, the patriarch of the Windsor Gardens household, preserving his presence across all three films. Julie Walters also returns as Mrs Bird, the housekeeper whose practical wisdom grounds the family unit. Their performances maintain the domestic stability that contrasts with the South American expedition.
Casting Changes in the Family
Emily Mortimer assumes the role of Mary Brown, replacing Sally Hawkins who portrayed the character in the first two instalments. According to Hugh Bonneville, speaking in October 2024, the transition was handled as a “straight swap” necessitated by production timing, with filming commencing in July 2023. Source
The recasting of Mary Brown occurred because principal photography began in July 2023, creating scheduling conflicts that prevented the previous actor from participating.
New Actors Joining Paddington 3 Cast
Olivia Colman as the Reverend Mother
Olivia Colman joins the ensemble as the Reverend Mother, a role revealed in the initial trailer released on June 12, 2024. Her character incorporates a musical number, marking a tonal expansion for the franchise. The Reverend Mother functions as an antagonistic force within the narrative, operating from the Home for Retired Bears.
Antonio Banderas in Villainous Role
Antonio Banderas appears as a villainous character, bringing international star power to the Peruvian sequences. While specific plot details regarding his antagonist remain partially obscured to preserve narrative surprises, his casting represents a strategic expansion of the franchise’s appeal beyond British domestic settings.
Carla Tous and Peruvian Expansion
Carla Tous joins as an additional character, representing the production’s commitment to populating the Peruvian setting with new faces. Her role connects directly to the jungle expedition narrative, expanding the cast beyond the returning London household.
The Replacement Strategy
The addition of Emily Mortimer constitutes the most significant casting change among returning roles. Bonneville noted that “Emily just seemed like a perfect fit” for the family dynamic, emphasizing that the production treated the change as a practical adjustment rather than a narrative discontinuity.
Returning vs New Cast: Changes from Paddington 2
The transition from Paddington 2 to Paddington in Peru maintains the core voice cast while restructuring the live-action family unit. Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, and Julie Walters reprise their established roles, ensuring continuity for the central household at Windsor Gardens. However, the absence of Sally Hawkins and the introduction of Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas, and Carla Tous shift the ensemble’s balance toward the South American adventure. Source
Despite one major recasting, the film retains three-quarters of its primary family unit from the previous instalments, preserving the domestic dynamic that anchors the adventure.
The specific nomenclature for Antonio Banderas’s villainous character and the full extent of Carla Tous’s role remain partially obscured in pre-release materials to preserve narrative surprises.
When Did the Paddington 3 Production and Casting Take Place?
- June 2016: StudioCanal chairman-CEO Didier Lupfer announces the company’s commitment to a third Paddington film. Source
- June 2022: The project enters pre-production, setting the stage for cast negotiations.
- July 2023: Principal photography begins on location in London and Peru, with the core cast assembled for filming.
- October 2023: Filming wraps, completing the production phase.
- June 2024: First official trailer released, revealing Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas to the public.
- October 2024: Second trailer released, offering further glimpses of the expanded cast.
- November 3, 2024: World premiere occurs in London.
- November 8, 2024: UK cinema release date.
- February 14, 2025: US cinema release date, delayed from the originally scheduled January 17, 2025. Source
What Is Confirmed About the Paddington 3 Cast?
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Ben Whishaw voices Paddington Bear | Specific character names for Antonio Banderas beyond “villainous character” |
| Hugh Bonneville plays Henry Brown | Full character name for Carla Tous’s role |
| Emily Mortimer replaced Sally Hawkins as Mary Brown | Whether minor supporting cast from previous films return in cameo capacity |
| Julie Walters returns as Mrs Bird | Complete credited cast beyond the seven principal actors |
| Olivia Colman plays the Reverend Mother with a musical number | Specific plot resolution for the antagonists |
| Antonio Banderas plays a villainous character | Any additional unannounced cameo appearances |
How Does the Cast Reflect the Paddington Legacy?
The ensemble demonstrates the franchise’s evolution from a primarily British domestic comedy to an international adventure requiring diverse talent. The retention of Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, and Julie Walters provides the necessary continuity for audiences invested in the Windsor Gardens household, while the introduction of Oscar-winner Olivia Colman and international star Antonio Banderas reflects the expanded scope and geographical reach of the third instalment.
The casting of Emily Mortimer, specifically selected for her fit within the existing family dynamic rather than through narrative contrivance, suggests a production prioritising tonal consistency over rigid continuity. This approach allows the film to maintain its emotional core while venturing into new geographical territory.
For additional family adventure casting comparisons, see the Paw Patrol Movie – Plot, Cast, Release and Guide.
What Have the Cast Said About Production?
We’re not pretending it’s anything other than a straight swap. There has not been a hideous divorce or anything. Emily just seemed like a perfect fit.
— Hugh Bonneville, October 2024
Bonneville’s comments, reported via Digital Spy, clarify that the production treated Emily Mortimer’s casting as Mary Brown as a practical replacement rather than a narrative discontinuity, addressing potential audience concerns about the family unit’s consistency.
What Is the Complete Paddington 3 Cast Overview?
Paddington in Peru unites returning voices Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, and Julie Walters with newcomers Emily Mortimer, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas, and Carla Tous. This blend of continuity and fresh talent supports the franchise’s longest runtime while relocating the action to Peru. The cast changes, particularly the recasting of Mary Brown, were handled as practical production decisions necessitated by the July 2023 filming schedule rather than narrative disruptions, preserving the warm domestic dynamic that defines the series.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who voices Paddington Bear in the third movie?
Ben Whishaw reprises his role as the voice of Paddington, maintaining continuity from the first two films.
Is Sally Hawkins in Paddington 3?
No, Sally Hawkins does not appear. Emily Mortimer replaced her as Mary Brown due to production timing conflicts.
Who plays the villain in Paddington 3?
Antonio Banderas plays a villainous character, while Olivia Colman appears as the Reverend Mother, who features a musical number.
When was Paddington in Peru released in the UK?
The UK cinema release occurred on November 8, 2024, following the world premiere in London on November 3.
Will there be a Paddington 4?
Yes, a fourth Paddington film is currently in development to mark the character’s 70th anniversary in 2028.
How long is Paddington in Peru?
The film runs for 106 minutes and 15 seconds, making it the longest instalment in the trilogy.
Who is Carla Tous in Paddington 3?
Carla Tous joins the cast as a new character appearing in the Peruvian jungle sequences.
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