‘Girls’ actress cast as drag Peter Pan in live TV musical

Allison Williams has been cast as Peter Pan in an upcoming live US TV musical.

The actress – who stars as Marnie Michael in HBO’s Girls – will play the title role in NBC’s live production of Peter Pan, continuing a tradition of the boy who never wants to grow up being played by women in drag.

“I have wanted to play Peter Pan since I was about three years old, so this is a dream come true,” said the actress in a press statement. “And besides, what could go wrong in a live televised production with simultaneous flying, sword fighting and singing?”.

Her Girls co-star Lena Dunham, who also writes and directs the acclaimed HBO comedy, has since taken to Twitter to voice her support.

Allison is about to undertake one of the greatest drag roles in history and we are so proud we could burst. She will slay.

— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) July 30, 2014

NBC Entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said of the casting decision: “We couldn’t be happier that Allison Williams is our Peter Pan. She’s a lovely rising star on the award-winning show Girls — where she occasionally shows off her incredible vocal talent — and we think she will bring the perfect blend of ‘boyish’ vulnerability and bravado to save the day against Christopher Walken’s powerful Captain Hook.”

Peter Pan will air NBC on December 4. The live musical follows the success of NBC’s live version of The Sound Of Music, which ITV are reportedly looking to recreate for a UK TV audience – find out more here.