U.K.’s BBC has debuted first-look footage from Jack and Nancy, the one of the first two specials in the Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures series, set to premiere next month. The pubcaster describes this first installment based on the works of the beloved British children’s author-illustrator as “a tale of fun, friendship and adventure.”
First published in 1969, the classic Blake book centers on youngsters Jack and Nancy, who long to visit the exotic lands that they hear about in sailors’ tales — then, one windy day, their wish comes true.
Jack and Nancy and the second Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures special, Zagazoo, will both premiere in December, timed to the holidays. All of the series will feature narration by Olivier Award-winning and Tony-nominated actor Adrian Lester (TV’s Hustle, Bonekickers). Jack and Nancy will also feature the voices of local Welsh talent.
Simon Pegg (Shawn of the Dead, Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs) leads the voice cast for Zagazoo, and will also perform leading roles in the upcoming Blake specials Snuff and Angel Pavement. Alison Steadman OBE (The Singing Detectives, Gavin & Stavey) will star as the indomitable Mrs. Armitage (Mrs. Armitage on Wheels). Nina Sosanya (Good Omens, Moon and Me) leads the cast of Loveykins as Angela Bowling to life.
Announced in 2022, Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures is a series of six animated specials commissioned by BBC, produced by Eagle Eye Drama (Quentin Blake’s Clown) in co-production with Creative Conspiracy in association with animation studios Spicy Acorn (Belgium), Tchack (France) and Kong (U.K.) The series is directed by Gerrit Bekers working with Eagle Eye’s creative director for animation, Massimo Fenati.
Check out the first-look clip of Jack and Nancy, courtesy of BBC:
