Mary Poppins 2 casts Colin Firth as the most British-sounding character ever

Keep him away from the tea and crumpets

‘I didn't act on what she told me,’ said the Academy Award-winning actor (Getty)

Considering an official Mary Poppins sequel is on the way, it's no surprise that Disney is assembling a suitably British cast for what it's hoping will be a box office behemoth.

Colin Firth has now been added to the cast following his role in Bridget Jones's Baby which has done huge business in the UK following its September release. He will play William Weatherall Wilkins, the president of Fidelity Fiduciary Bank (really), who we can only hope is some kind of relative of Dick van Dyke's character, Burt.

Emily Blunt (The Girl on the Train) is the one who is taking on the role made famous by Julie Andrews in 1964 for a follow-up that'll take place 25 years after the original's events.

Mary Poppins Returns will be directed by Rob Marshall, the filmmaker who most recently oversaw Disney's adaptation of Stephen Sondheim musical Into the Woods.

Hamilton star Lin Manuel-Miranda will also star as will Meryl Streep while Ben Whishaw is being lined up to play a grown up Michael Banks.

The story will see the latter reunited with both his sister Jane and the titular magical nanny after he experiences a personal loss.

Firth recently told The Independent that he'd be up for starring in a sequel to seasonal favourite Love, Actually should Richard Curtis decide to make another one.

Production on Mary Poppins Returns is due to begin in London early 2017; it'll reach cinemas on Christmas Day 2018.