The other was that Mrs Brown had been recast, with Emily Mortimer taking on the role previously played by Sally Hawkins. Now, speaking to The Times, Hawkins has opened up about why she left her role, saying that it was entirely related to King's departure. But because I love Paul so much, and love the way he works, it would’ve broken my heart." Hawkins has known King a long time, having met him at a theatre workshop at Ealing Studios 20 years before the first Paddington film. King went on to direct and co-write the film Wonka, which starred Timothée Chalamet and was released in cinemas in 2023.
