Mary Poppins Returns: Why the child stars were ‘ANNOYED’ with Ben Whishaw

The British actor plays the grown-up Michael Banks in the new film, which is a sequel to the Julie Andrews-fronted Disney classic. In it, he stars opposite Emily Mortimer as sister Jane and Emily Blunt as the titular nanny. The film also has three adorable child stars: Pixie Davies as Annabel Banks, Nathanael Saleh as John Banks and Joel Dawson as Georgie Banks.

Asked by Collider what it was like working with the children, he said: “It was amazing to work with them because they were so professional. More professional than us!

“They knew everyone’s lines, including… their own, obviously, but ours as well.”

Co-star Emily Mortimer added: “They were very useful to us if we ever forgot a line; they would immediately step in.”

“They did,” Whishaw agreed, “And they would get annoyed with you sometimes. ‘Come on!’”

Mortimer continued: “They’re great teachers of acting because they’re so professional, they’re so in it.

“Up until the moment the camera turns over they’re running around, telling stupid jokes and laughing.

“Then someone says turn over and there they are, absolutely right there with you. And it’s because they have such enthusiasm for what they’re doing.

“They’re full of that conviction and you can learn a lot from them – I loved watching them.”

Mary Poppins Returns has had success since its release just before Christmas.

It holds a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has had an A- grade on CinemaScore.

At the Box Office, as of January 1 it had taken a total of $200.3 million worldwide.

Mary Poppins Returns is out now.