Melissa McCarthy to lead Netflix’s ‘Miss Nelson Is Missing’ adaptation

Melissa McCarthy

Melissa McCarthy is heading back to school. The actress has signed on to star in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of the beloved 1977 children’s book Miss Nelson Is Missing, written by Harry Allard and illustrated by James Marshall.

Melissa will play Miss Nelson, the sweet teacher whose students take her kindness for granted. To teach them a lesson, she disappears and is replaced by the frightening substitute Miss Viola Swamp.

The twist is  Miss Nelson herself is behind the disguise. Yes, that means Melissa is pulling double duty, balancing the sugary warmth of Nelson with the scary strictness of Swamp.

Netflix bets on nostalgia

The project is still in early development, but it already has Hollywood weight behind it. The screenplay is being adapted by Brad Copeland, known for Spies in Disguise and Ferdinand.

Reese Witherspoon is on board as a producer through her Hello Sunshine banner, alongside Lauren Neustadter. Melissa and her husband Ben Falcone are producing via On the Day Productions, joined by Lawrence Grey and Caroline Fraser of HarperCollins Productions.

For Netflix, it’s another move into literary adaptations with built-in nostalgia. And if the film clicks with audiences, two sequels — Miss Nelson Is Back and Miss Nelson Has a Field Day — are already lined up for possible development.

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Melissa’s busy run continues

Melissa isn’t a stranger to Netflix. She’s previously starred in Superintelligence and the superhero comedy Thunder Force. Her career has been stacked with memorable performances, from the breakout chaos of Bridesmaids to the action-comedy Spy and her Oscar-nominated turn in Can You Ever Forgive Me?

More recently, audiences saw her as Ursula in Disney’s The Little Mermaid remake and in Jerry Seinfeld’s Unfrosted, where she played a Kellogg employee. Now, with Miss Nelson Is Missing, she’s stepping into a role that blends comedy, menace, and heart all at once.

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FAQs

Q1: What role is Melissa McCarthy playing in Miss Nelson Is Missing?

Melissa is playing both Miss Nelson and her terrifying alter ego, Miss Viola Swamp.

Q2: Who is producing the Netflix adaptation?

Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, Melissa, Ben Falcone, Lawrence Grey, and Caroline Fraser are all producing.

Q3: Will there be sequels to Miss Nelson Is Missing?

Yes, if the first film succeeds, Netflix may adapt its two sequels: Miss Nelson Is Back and Miss Nelson Has a Field Day.