The BBC and multi-Oscar nominated producers Magic Light Pictures have today released a first look at their next animated collaboration, Tiddler — the story of a little fish with a big imagination who gets lost in the deep wide ocean until he’s saved by his own storytelling. The new special builds on the two companies’ longstanding collaboration to animate viewers’ Christmas schedules with delightful picture book adaptations.
Produced for BBC iPlayer and BBC One, Tiddler is based on the hugely successful picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, marking the 12th animated special of their work on the BBC. Last year’s Donaldson and Scheffler animation, Tabby McTat was a huge hit with an audience of 8.6 million; Magic Light and BBC have previously brought the book creation duo’s The Snail and the Whale, Zog, The Smeds and the Smoos, The Gruffalo and many more to screens.
The half-hour animated Tiddler special will be narrated by Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones), and will voice star Lolly Adefope (Ghosts, The Franchise) as Miss Skate, Jayde Adams (Ruby Speaking, Alma’s Not Normal) as Plaice and other characters, plus Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip) — returning for his 12th Donaldson and Scheffler adaptation — in the multiple voice roles of Fisherman, Whale, Starfish and Anchovy. Tiddler will also feature the voices of child actors Reuben Kirby in the title role, and Theo Fraser as Johnny Dory.
“The books and films of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler have been, without a doubt, the greatest cornerstone of my daughter’s and my life together,” said Waddingham. “They are the most beautiful marriage of animation and voice, perfectly cast. There’s always something that leans towards the main character not realizing just how special they are, and it’s a joyous thing to teach a child from an early age that you are delicious, just the way you are.”
Tiddler is directed by Andy Martin and Alex Bain, written by Michael Bohnenstingl, and produced by Barney Goodland and Martin Pope of Magic Light Pictures. The film was acquired by Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer and Nawfal Faizullah, BBC Drama Commissioning Editor.
Magic Light’s previous adaptations of Donaldson and Scheffler’s works are available to stream on BBC iPlayer in the U.K.
