The annual BBC animated Christmas special this year will The Scarecrow’s Wedding.
As is the case every year, a Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler children’s book will be adapted by Magic Light Pictures for broadcast on BBC One and streaming on BBC iPlayer.
The half-hour animated special will feature a voice cast including Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip), Jessie Buckley (Wicked Little Letters, Wild Rose), Domhnall Gleeson (About Time, Alice and Jack), with Sophie Okonedo (Slow Horses, Hotel Rwanda) as the Narrator.
The story follows two devoted scarecrows, Betty O’Barley (Buckley) and Harry O’Hay (Gleeson), who are planning a wedding to remember. Per the synopsis: “When Harry insists on leaving the farm to collect one last thing for their big day, a smooth-talking scarecrow named Reginald Rake (Brydon) swoops in with plans of his own. Chaos follows, and soon Betty’s in danger and everything’s at risk. Can Harry get back in time and save the day? Full of heart, humour and adventure, this is the joyful tale about loyalty, love and learning that the most important thing isn’t a grand gesture – it’s simply being together.”
Directors are Samantha Cutler and Jeroen Jaspaert, with Barney Goodland and Micheal Rose of Magic Light Pictures the producers. The outgoing BBC Chief Content Officer Charlotte Moore and Nawfal Faizullah, BBC Drama Commissioning Editor, acquired the special.
Donaldson’s books have been the bedrock of the BBC’s annual Christmas specials, with this being the 13th to be adapted. Last year’s Tiddler took an audience of 7.3 million, which was the highest share for a Magic Light film since The Gruffalo in 2009. Her picture books remain among the most popular in the UK. It was recently announced she was writing a new ‘Gruffalo’ book, 21 years after the last one, ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’, which was adapted by the BBC in 2011.
“The Scarecrows’ Wedding is my favourite of all the books I’ve created with Axel Scheffler, so I’m extra specially pleased that it is to be this year’s animated adaptation from Magic Light Pictures,” said Donaldson. “It’s a love story set on a farm by the sea, and the story contains a lot of comedy and a Hollywood-style villain.
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, added: “We’re incredibly proud of our enduring partnership with Julia, Axel and Magic Light Pictures, and can’t wait to bring the Scarecrows’ big day to millions of viewers across the UK this Christmas. Much like the wedding itself, this charming, funny and exquisitely animated adventure has all the perfect ingredients.”
