Emma Thompson Writing “Peter Rabbit” 110th Anniversary Tale

Emma Thompson will mark the 110th anniversary of Beatrix Potter’s classic Peter Rabbit tale by writing a new book for the children’s literary series.

Earlier this month, Thompson — who plays the title character in the Nanny McPhee films — announced that she is taking a break from professional acting to turn her focus to family. However, Emma couldn’t resist when approached by Potter publishers to help reintroduce the timeless tales to a new generation of kids to coincide with its landmark anniversary next year.

Potter first introduced the popular animal character to readers in 1902 with The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Peter subsequently appeared in five more installments between 1904 and 1912.

The Oscar winner has previously written the screenplays for the films Sense and Sensibility and Nanny McPhee.

Emma made the announcement in an interview with late night host Craig Ferguson on Friday: “I had a lovely little job offer. You know, Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter, he is 110 next year and they asked me to write a new story about Peter Rabbit, so I’m going to take him to Scotland.”

Publishers are still looking for an illustrator to provide drawings for Thompson’s tale.

Thompson is also working on the script for the remake of the Audrey Hepburn cinema classic My Fair Lady.