Voice cast announced for new Dennis The Menace series
- Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed, a 52-part CGI series about Dennis The Menace, is launching on CBBC
- Freddie Fox will voice Dennis, with Rasmus Hardiker as Walter and Ryan Sampson as Pieface
- Kathryn Drysdale and Kelly-Marie Stewart will voice new characters JJ and Rubi Von Screwtop
CBBC has announced the voice cast for Dennis & Gnasher: Unleashed, the new animated comedy series based around the famous Beano character.
The BBC explains the forthcoming 52-part TV adventure, which promises to "deliver high-energy humour and inspire imagination", will showcase a brand-new look and feel for the much-loved Dennis The Menace, his fearless friends and their hometown.
"Their action-packed world will be brought to life using the latest CGI 3D techniques, bringing Beanotown and its residents bang up to date for the newest generation of fans."
It was revealed earlier in the year that Freddie Fox would take on the lead role of voicing Dennis, and producers have now confirmed the rest of the cast list.
Rasmus Hardiker, who also voices characters on Scream Street and Danger Mouse, joins the cast as Dennis's arch-rival, the pompous Walter, who is always out to ruin the fun for Dennis and his pals. The BBC says: "Following his famed role as Count Duckula in Danger Mouse, Rasmus is the ideal fit for the sneaky and self-centred Walter, who will do anything it takes to be the teacher's pet. Always cunning and quick to boss around the other kids, he never misses an opportunity to exploit his status as the son of Beanotown's mayor."
Plebs star Ryan Sampson will voice the lovable and cheeky Pieface. The producers says: "Sampson offers an inspired depiction of Pieface, who is known for alternating moments of daftness with those of pure brilliance. Pieface is never seen without Paul, the pet potato he carries in his pocket."
Lending her voice to brand new character JJ is Horrible Histories actor Kathryn Drysdale. JJ is described as the boldest best friend a kid could hope for with a no-nonsense attitude. The BBC says the role is "brought to life through Kathryn's wealth of experience in playing strong, assertive female leads. Fast, strong and enthusiastic JJ is the perfect match for Dennis in his unending quest for adventure."
Kelly-Marie Stewart, who plays Hayley in Hollyoaks, will also voice a new character, Rubi Von Screwtop, the group's techno-whizz and budding inventor. Sharp-witted and quick-thinking, Rubi doesn't let anything hold her back, racing ahead on adventures and kitting the gang out with the best devices along the way.
Rounding off the cast is Joanna Ruiz (Cloud Babies, Horrid Henry) who adds her well-respected 'cartoon-voicing clout' to the cast as Bash Street School's top detention distributer. Mrs Creecher is always keen to foil any plotting by the gang.
Ruiz will also play Dennis's eccentric but loveable Gran, who cheers the gang on from her perch on her Harley-Davidson; as well as a host of other Bash Street characters.
Dennis And Gnasher: Unleashed will air in late 2017 on CBBC. The below video, in which Freddie Fox introduces his character, also features the first clips from the new series: