Sally Hawkins has revealed why she did not play Mary Brown in Paddington 3. Hawkins played Brown in the first two installments of the action-animated comedy franchise. However, she did not return for the third installment, Paddington in Peru, where the role of Brown was played by Emily Mortimer.
At the time of her departure, Hawkins reportedly said she felt it was the right time for her to hand over the reins to another actor. However, she has now explained why she departed the role.
Sally Hawkins reveals reason behind Paddington 3 absence
In an interview with The Times, Sally Hawkins opened up about her decision to leave the Paddington franchise. She revealed that it boiled down to director Paul King’s departure.
Hawkins expressed regret at her decision to leave, saying she felt “so awful.” However, she noted that Hugh Bonneville, who plays Henry Brown, got “an upgrade” in the form of Emily Mortimer, who replaced Hawkins.
She then discussed why she left. Hawkins said, “Because I love Paul so much, and love the way he works, it would’ve broken my heart.” Hawkins reunited with Paul King for 2023’s Wonka, where she played the late mother of Timothée Chalamet’s eponymous protagonist.
Previously, in an interview with The New York Times, executive producer Rosie Alison explained why Hawkins did not return for Paddington 3. She revealed that the crew had tried to persuade the latter to reconsider her decision to depart, but Hawkins felt she had “already brought everything” to the role.
At the time of her departure, Hawkins released a statement in which she praised Mortimer and expressed her love for the franchise. “For me it has felt the right time to hand the reins over to another,” the statement read. “And one can’t get much better than the truly wonderful Emily Mortimer, she is extraordinarily special” (via Variety).
She further added, “She will embody the essence of Mary Brown and yet make it utterly her own. However, I am, and will always be in love with Paddington’s world.” Hawkins stated that the experience of making the first two Paddington films was “the best and most creative times” she had in film. “They both gave me so much joy. I will forever hold them so very close to my heart indeed,” the statement concluded.
Paddington in Peru was theatrically released in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2024, and in the United States on February 14, 2025. The film holds a 93% fresh score and 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on ComingSoon.
