Allison Williams to star as Peter Pan in NBC's live musical

NEW YORK, July 30 (UPI) -- Allison Williams has been cast as Peter Pan in NBC's Peter Pan Live.

The 26-year-old Girls actress will star in the network's live production in December. The character is traditionally portrayed by a woman on stage, and several other female candidates were considered for the role.

"I have wanted to play Peter Pan since I was about three years old, so this is a dream come true," Williams shared in a statement. "It's such an honor to be a part of this adventure, and I'm very excited to get to work with this extraordinarily talented team. And besides, what could go wrong with a live televised production with simultaneous flying, sword fighting and singing?"

"We couldn't be happier that Allison Williams is our Peter Pan," NBC chairman Robert Greenblatt said. "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 is a character created by Scottish author J.M. Barrie, who first appeared in novel The Little White Bird (1902), and starred in play, Peter Pan, The Boy Who Wouldn't Grow Up (1904) and its book adaptation, Peter and Wendy (1911). Peter is a mischievous boy who wishes to never grow up, and adventures on the island of Neverland.

Peter Pan Live is scheduled to air December 4 on NBC. The network's Sound of Music Live brought in 18.6 million viewers last December.