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‘Chronicles of Narnia’ and ‘Mortal Kombat’ Stars Unite for Epic 19th-Century Historical Drama [Exclusive]
Half Crown Media and Burns & Co. Entertainment are producing "Hudson & Maria", a historical drama about missionary Hudson Taylor and his wife Maria, who left their English life behind to adopt Chinese customs and language while spreading Christianity inland during the Opium Wars era. Their story, alongside close friend Wang Laijun, traces the persecution they faced and their eventual founding of the China Inland Mission, a significant moment in the history of Christianity in China.
Collider has exclusively confirmed the cast, with William Moseley (Peter Pevensie in the "Chronicles of Narnia" films) playing Hudson Taylor, Poppy Drayton ("Charmed") as Maria, and Ludi Lin (Liu Kang in "Mortal Kombat") as Wang. They lead a large international ensemble including Jeremy Swift, Rupert Graves, Tan Kheng Hua and Darren Lim, among others. Filming is set to begin in Malaysia at the end of July 2026.
In short
- New film "Hudson & Maria" tells story of 19th-century Christian missionaries in China
- William Moseley, Poppy Drayton and Ludi Lin lead the cast
- Filming begins in Malaysia at the end of July 2026
Explained simply
Hudson Taylor was an English missionary who, together with his wife Maria, left behind their comfortable Victorian life to travel to inland China in the nineteenth century. Alongside their close friend Wang Laijun, they chose to adopt Chinese customs, language and dress rather than remain isolated as many Western missionaries of their era did.
They arrived during the Opium Wars, when Western powers were using military force to impose trade on China. The hostile environment meant they faced considerable persecution, yet they continued working inland, away from the relative safety of coastal cities where other foreigners remained.
Their efforts led to the founding of the China Inland Mission, an important organisation in the history of Christianity in China. Their approach represents a significant chapter in how Western religious missions engaged with and served different cultures.
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