The Scarecrow's Wedding to be animated for BBC One this Christmas
The BBC and Magic Light Pictures have unveiled the first look at their upcoming festive animation, The Scarecrows’ Wedding.
The BBC and Magic Light Pictures have unveiled the first look at their upcoming festive animation, The Scarecrows’ Wedding.
The tale centres on two loving scarecrows, Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay, as they prepare for their wedding day—only to have their plans disrupted by the arrival of the charming yet troublesome Reginald Rake.
Based on the beloved picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, this new half-hour special will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It is the thirteenth animated adaptation produced by Magic Light from the duo’s celebrated stories.
The production features narration from Academy Award nominee Sophie Okonedo (Slow Horses, Hotel Rwanda), alongside an impressive voice cast: Jessie Buckley (Wicked Little Letters, Wild Rose) as Betty O’Barley, Domhnall Gleeson (About Time, Alice and Jack) as Harry O’Hay, and Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip), who takes on his thirteenth Donaldson and Scheffler character as Reginald Rake.
Rob Brydon, voicing Reginald Rake, says: "I’ve been lucky enough to appear in every Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler adaptation so far, and Reginald Rake has to be one of the most enjoyable characters yet. He’s vain, charming, and utterly unreliable - a proper cad! Playing him has been enormous fun."
Domhnall Gleeson, voicing Harry O’Hay, says: "Harry is such a warm-hearted character, loyal, loving, and determined to make the wedding perfect for Betty. I loved bringing him to life, especially when his devotion is tested and he has to prove he’s the real hero of the story. I also loved the process of developing Harry, and I’m so happy to be working with this team and voice cast. It’s a thrill to be part of something made especially for kids at Christmas."
Sophie Okonedo, narrator, says: "What I love about The Scarecrows’ Wedding is that it feels timeless, it’s a story about love, loyalty, and finding out what really matters. Narrating it has been a joy, and I can’t wait for families to enjoy it together this Christmas."
Jessie Buckley, playing Betty O’Barley says: "I love this story. The film has so many beautiful little moments but I love the scene where the first glimmers of love get expressed between Harry and Betty – the anxiety and the tentativeness around that. They’re both edging closer and closer to being in the relationship, realising that they want to be together… we’ve all been there. It’s all about young love, and recognising what’s important to you in life."
Last year’s adaptation, Tiddler, proved a huge success, drawing 7.3 million viewers within 28 days and achieving Magic Light’s highest Christmas Day audience share since The Gruffalo in 2009. Its total audience has since climbed to 11.3 million.
The Scarecrows’ Wedding is directed by Samantha Cutler and Jeroen Jaspaert, with a script by Steven Bloomer. Barney Goodland and Michael Rose produce for Magic Light Pictures. Animation services are provided by Red Star, with additional assets and support from Triggerfish Animation.
Audiences can also catch earlier adaptations of Donaldson and Scheffler’s work in The Gruffalo & Friends collection, available on BBC iPlayer.