Image: BBC Magic Light Pictures
By Jon Donnis
BBC and Magic Light Pictures have unveiled the first glimpse of their upcoming Christmas animated special, The Scarecrows' Wedding, promising a heartwarming adventure for the festive season. The story centres on two devoted scarecrows, Betty O'Barley and Harry O'Hay, who are eagerly preparing for their wedding day when a charming troublemaker, Reginald Rake, threatens to disrupt their plans.
Adapted from Julia Donaldson's picture book, with illustrations by Axel Scheffler, the half-hour special will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One. This marks Magic Light's 13th animated adaptation of the duo's work, continuing their tradition of bringing Donaldson and Scheffler's stories to life. The voice cast is stellar: Academy Award nominee Sophie Okonedo narrates, Jessie Buckley voices Betty, Domhnall Gleeson takes on Harry, and Rob Brydon returns as Reginald Rake. Brydon describes his role as "enormous fun," calling Reginald vain, charming, and utterly unreliable. Gleeson highlights Harry's warmth and devotion, enjoying the challenge of bringing a loyal, determined hero to life. Buckley reflects on the tender moments of budding love between Betty and Harry, while Okonedo praises the timeless themes of love and loyalty that underpin the story.
Following the success of last year's Tiddler, which drew 7.3 million viewers in its first 28 days and has since reached 11.3 million, expectations are high for The Scarecrows' Wedding. Directed by Samantha Cutler and Jeroen Jaspaert, written by Steven Bloomer, and produced by Barney Goodland and Michael Rose, the special combines animation services from Red Star with support from Triggerfish Animation. With its blend of charm, humour, and heart, it promises to be a festive treat for families, capturing the magic and warmth of Christmas storytelling.
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