When it was announced back in June 2023 that Sally Hawkins wouldn’t be returning as Mrs. Brown in upcoming sequel Paddington in Peru, fans of the franchise took to social media to share their disappointment. According to Mr. Brown actor Hugh Bonneville, though, they really needn’t worry about the recasting, which sees Emily Mortimer step in.

“When I heard that Sally wasn’t going to do the film, the first face that popped into my head was Emily’s,” the Downton Abbey star tells Total Film in our final issue out on Thursday, October 10, which features Gladiator 2 on the cover. “I thought she had all the gorgeous qualities you expect from the character. Obviously she’s a totally different actress [from Sally], but I think within four seconds you’ve forgotten there’s a new Mrs. Brown,” he concludes, describing the switch as seamless. “She just slotted in gloriously and we all got on brilliantly as a family unit again.”