Girls star reveals Peter Pan transformation

'Girls' star, Allison Williams, will be playing Peter Pan in NBC's 'Peter Pan Live!'. Photo / AP

Allison Williams looks ready to fly in her newly-released first photo as Peter Pan.

This morning, the Today show posted the picture of the 26-year-old Girls star, who poses atop the the rig of a pirate ship in a tattered green ensemble and brown boots.

With minimal make-up and her brown tresses pulled back, the actress could easily pass for a Lost Boy who just won't grow up.

Allison is set to appear in NBC's upcoming telecast of Peter Pan Live!, which will air on December 4, a role she has dreamed of since she was a child.

It may seem strange to cast a woman in the part, but it is in fact tradition. Not only are women smaller and therefore easier to pass as children on stage, but gender-bending also adheres to the original play's pantomime tradition.

The most famous actress to play Peter Pan was Mary Martin, who appeared in the 1954 Peter Pan musical on Broadway.

And Allison was undoubtedly thrilled to learn that she got the part - although her happiness was soon tainted after news broke of Robin Williams' death.

Indeed, it was with a note of sadness that she took to social media three weeks ago to share a video of her first flying lesson for her role as the mischievous character.

Robin Williams playing Peter Pan in Hook.

The actress explained that she knows she has "big shoes to fill", as the late Robin Williams played an older version of the iconic character in the 1991 movie version, Hook.

"First day of flying lessons for Pan," Allison wrote in the caption, and - with a nod to the late great Robin - added: "Thinking about and missing a hero of mine who once did this and left big shoes to fill."

Allison, who announced she'd nabbed the role in late July, was a huge fan of Peter Pan and it's been her wish to play the character in green tights since she was three years old.

"This is a dream come true," she told E! News, joking: "What could go wrong in a live televised production with simultaneous flying, sword fighting and singing?"

Williams also posted a sweet snap of herself as a youngster dressed up in Peter Pan's green cap and costume.

"Thrilled to be playing Peter Pan live on NBC in December. I've been rehearsing for a really long time," Allison, whose father is Nightly News host Brian Williams, wrote on July 30.

Peter Pan Live! executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron have high hopes for the rising star.

"She will reinvent the iconic role of Peter Pan with her wit, her warmth, her dynamic flying and her wonderful musical abilities," they said in a statement last month.

"The score will be sung beautifully and introduced to a whole new generation of families."

The live production, which follows the same format as last year's Sound Of Music Live!, will also star Christopher Walken as Captain Hook and Smash star Christian Borle in the dual role of Smee and Mr Darling.

- Daily Mail