The underwater adventure from BBC and Magic Light Pictures about the power of imagination and finding confidence in yourself airs this Christmas on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
The BBC and Magic Light Pictures have announced Tiddler, a new magical animation from the UK’s number one picture book creators Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
The upcoming half-hour Christmas special follows Tidder, a small grey fish with a big imagination who gets lost in the deep wide ocean, until he’s saved by his own storytelling.
The film’s voice cast includes Hannah Waddingham (Ted Lasso, Game of Thrones) as the narrator; Lolly Adefope (Ghosts, Saltburn) as Miss Skate; Jayde Adams (Ruby Speaking, Alma’s Not Normal) as Plaice and other characters; and Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip), who returns for his 12th Donaldson and Scheffler adaptation, as Fisherman, Whale, Starfish and Anchovy. Child actors Reuben Kirby and Theo Fraser voice Tiddler and Johnny Dory, respectively.
Donaldson said, "Tiddler is all about storytelling and big imaginations - things that are really important to me as a writer. The film captures the heart of the story and brings it to life with a fantastic cast, I'm particularly impressed by the young child actors who take the lead in this adaptation."
“Voicing the narrator for this Christmas special from Magic Light Pictures has been a real joy to record,” added Waddingham. "Tiddler is the tale of the storyteller in all of us, and helps children understand what it's like to be a small fish in a very big pond (and we’ve all felt THAT in life!) I have loved reading the books by Julia and Axel to my daughter over the years and it’s so lovely to get to bring one of them to screen in this beautiful animation."
The film is the 12th animated special of writer Donaldson and illustrator Scheffler’s work to be produced by Magic Light Pictures for the BBC. Last year’s animation saw an audience of 8.6 million tune in to watch Tabby McTat, the heart-warming story of a busker and his cat.
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.
Goodland said, "Tiddler is a beautifully illustrated and imaginative underwater adventure that we are thrilled to be bringing to screen. Its celebration of the power of storytelling speaks to everything that Magic Light does and diving deep into that theme has been a real joy. We're excited to share our adaptation of this absolute classic Julia and Axel story with families this Christmas."
Tiddler will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One this Christmas.
Source: The BBC
Journalist, antique shop owner, aspiring gemologist—Laurén brings a diverse perspective to animation, where every frame reflects her varied passions.
