NEED TO KNOW
A beloved children’s story is coming to life once again.
PEOPLE can exclusively share that a three-part Charlotte’s Web special, based on E.B. White’s 1952 novel, is coming to HBO Max on Thursday, Oct. 2.
The limited series will feature Amy Adams as Charlotte, Elijah Wood as Adult Wilbur, Griffin Robert Faulkner as Young Wilbur, Jean Smart as the Narrator, Cynthia Erivo as Goose, Natalie Chan as Fern, Randall Park as Templeton and Rosario Dawson as Edith, among many others in the star-studded cast.
Gregg DeGuire/Variety via Getty; Gilbert Flores/GG2025/Penske Media via Getty; Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic
In PEOPLE’s exclusive first look at the series, Charlotte (Adams) explains the concept of friendship to a young Wilbur (Faulkner).
After calling out for Templeton the rat before realizing he and Charlotte have been left alone, Wilbur begins to worry that he isn’t special.
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“I’m just a runty pig. I don’t even know why you helped me in the first place,” he says. “All I ever did was be your friend.”
“Well, that in itself is a tremendous thing. Wilbur, I weave my webs for you because I like you. Because we’re friends. After all, what’s a life anyway? We’re born, we live a little, we die,” says Charlotte.
“A spider’s life can’t help being something of a mess with all the trapping and eating flies. By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift my own life up a trifle. Heaven knows anyone’s life can stand a little of that.”
“I am no good at making speeches. I haven’t your gift for words. But, well, you’re a true friend, Charlotte. And I would give my life for you. I really would,” Wilbur says. Then, Charlotte has an epiphany.
“I know what to write,” she says.
“What is it?” asks Wilbur.
“Don’t you worry,” Charlotte says. “Just go to sleep. You’ll see it in the morning.”
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HBO Max
The classic story of Charlotte’s Web follows Wilbur, a pig, and Charlotte, the eponymous spider, who saves Wilbur from slaughter by weaving inspiring messages about him in her web.
“To be asked to adapt E.B. White’s masterpiece was both thrilling and daunting. Thankfully, every writer, animator, actor and producer rose to the occasion — and nobody more than the brilliant Amy Adams, whose Charlotte is one for the ages,” showrunner Luke Matheny tells PEOPLE. “And yes, many of us cried along the way — but if you’re not crying while making Charlotte’s Web, you’re probably not doing it right.”
Matheny, who also serves as the show’s executive producer and writer, alongside director Yurie Rocha, is an Academy Award winner. Charlotte’s Web is also produced in collaboration with Sesame Workshop.
“With this extraordinary cast, we’ve created a retelling of this story that celebrates friendship, empathy, courage, and community. We can’t wait for families to fall in love with these characters all over again,” said Kay Wilson Stallings, the Chief Creative and Production Officer at Sesame Workshop, in a release.
All three episodes of the Charlotte’s Web mini series will be available to stream on HBO Max on Thursday, Oct. 2.
