BBC share first-look at adorable Christmas special with star-studded cast

A first-look at the BBC's Christmas animation has been revealed. The festive special, titled Tiddler, is another Magic Light Pictures adaptation for BBC One and iPlayer, marking the broadcaster's 12th collaboration with the award-winning producers.

Tiddler is a half-hour animated special which is due to land on screens this festive period, with a specific release date yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, the trailer will play across BBC Socials on 29 November.

The BBC teased: "Tiddler is the story of 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 festive animation features a star-studded cast, led by Game of Thrones star Hannah Waddingham, as the narrator. Speaking about her role, she said: “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.

"They are the most beautiful marriage of animation and voice, perfectly cast. There’s always something that leans towards the main character not realising 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.”

Saltburn's Lolly Adefope voices Miss Skate while Ruby Speaking star Jayde Adams is Plaice and other characters. Gavin and Stacey favourite Rob Bryson voices multiple characters, usch as Fisherman, Whale, Starfish and Anchovy. It mark's Rob's 12th Donaldson and Scheffler adaptation collaboration.

Tiddler also features the voices of child actors Reuben Kirby in the title role, and Theo Fraser as Johnny Dory. Tiddler is adapted from the hugely successful picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

The animation 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.

It follows on from last year's Donaldson and Scheffler animation, Tabby McTat, which told the heartwarming story of a busker and his cat.

All of Magic Light’s previous adaptions of Donaldson and Scheffler’s works are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Story Saved

You can find this story in  My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.