Starring Tom Hollander, Idris Elba, Gabriel Byrne, and Jude Coward Nicoll, produced by J.J. Abrams and Hannah Minghella, and based on the best-selling book by Charlie Mackesy, the hand-drawn Apple Original Films short, about an unlikely friendship between a boy, a mole, a fox, and a horse, journeying together to find the boy’s home, will debut the same day on the BBC in the U.K.
This coming Christmas day, December 25, Apple Original Films will debut an all-new animated short film The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse on Apple TV+. Based on the best-selling book of the same name by Charlie Mackesy, it tells a story of kindness, friendship, courage, and hope while following the journey of an unlikely friendship between a boy, a mole, a fox, and a horse traveling together in search of the boy’s home. The author’s distinct illustrations are brought to life with hand-drawn animation.
“The journey of making the film of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse with my incredibly gifted animation team has been a magical one,” said author Charlie Mackesy. “I never dreamt it would happen - but it’s so moving to think the story will be watched at Christmas. I really hope it brings a bit of joy, laughter, and comfort.”
The film stars BAFTA Award winner Tom Hollander (The Night Manager) as The Mole; Golden Globe and SAG Award winner Idris Elba (Luther) as The Fox; Golden Globe Award winner Gabriel Byrne (All Things Bright and Beautiful) as The Horse; and newcomer Jude Coward Nicoll as The Boy.
Matthew Freud presents a Charlie Mackesy film, produced by Emmy Award winner and Academy Award nominee Cara Speller (Love, Death & Robots, Pear Cider and Cigarettes, Rocket & Groot) of NoneMore Productions, and Emmy Award winner J.J. Abrams and Hannah Minghella of Bad Robot Productions. Directed by Peter Baynton (The Tiger Who Came To Tea) and Mackesy, the film adaptation of the original book is produced in collaboration with Jon Croker (Paddington 2). It is executive produced by Jony Ive and Academy Award nominee Woody Harrelson (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri). The original score is by composer Isobel Waller-Bridge and performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra and conducted by Geoff Alexander.
The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is presented in partnership with the BBC, who will premiere it in the U.K. Apple TV+ will release it outside of the U.K. this Christmas.
Source: Apple TV+
Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.
