Dawn French leads all-star cast in Roald & Beatrix
- Filming has started on Roald & Beatrix, a one-off comedy drama due to be shown on Sky this Christmas
- Stars include Dawn French, Jessica Hynes, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman and Bill Bailey
- The 90 minute special is inspired by the true story of when 6 year-old Roald Dahl met Beatrix Potter
An all-star cast has been announced for Roald & Beatrix, The Tail Of The Curious Mouse - Sky's new "heart-warming Christmas film" inspired by the true story of when a six-year-old Roald Dahl met his idol, Beatrix Potter.
The one-off comedy drama, which will be shown on Sky One this Christmas, is described as "a magical story of what really can happen when you are brave enough to follow your dreams..." Filming has just begun on location in Wales, and at Seren Studios in Cardiff.
Dawn French will play Beatrix Potter as announced in February.
The cast list also features Jessica Hynes, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, Nina Sosanya, Bill Bailey and Nick Mohammed.
Sky explains: "The film will blend live action camera work, stop-frame animation and puppetry together to bring to life the vivid imaginations and magical worlds of these two inspiring and renowned children's authors."
The script has been written by Abi Wilson, whose previous work includes Urban Myths: The Mysterious Case Of Agatha Christie. Roald & Beatrix will be narrated by John Hannah with music scored by Doctor Who composer Murray Gold.
Speaking further about the plot, the producers explain: "The famed author Beatrix Potter (French) is coming to the end of her career. With her publisher (Sosanya) hounding her for her next draft, she's unable to concentrate and has had enough of writing children's books. It's not just her motivation that she has lost, her optometrist (Mohammed) has recognised she has failing eyesight.
"With Christmas approaching, Beatrix is pressured, feeling increasingly out of touch with her readers, not to mention the trespassing fans and jovial door-knocking carol singers. Her Cumbrian farm and ever-growing Herdwick sheep collection, her long-suffering husband William (Brydon) and disobedient animals including much loved pig called Sally, act as her only real comfort as she looks for inspiration and resists taking the easy way out with her Publisher.
"Two hundred or so miles away in Wales, life is changing for an anxious young boy called Roald (Harry Tayler). Having recently lost his older sister and now his father, the once happy six-year-old has found solace and comfort in books.
"The beloved tales of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-Duck fill his mind, distracting him from the funeral, sadness and the revelation that he might be sent to boarding school. Wanting to run away, he is encouraged by his mother Sophie (Hynes) to follow his dreams and visit his hero Beatrix Potter.
"Roald pushes his anxiety aside and they set off on his first big adventure. Their extraordinary journey is filled with unpredictable and humorous characters (Steadman & Bailey) all of whom ignite Roald's imagination and provide comfort to his grieving mother. The dream of meeting his favourite author is eventually realised and their very special encounter proves to be both a magical and life changing moment for them both."
Jon Mountague from Sky Studios says: "Roald Dahl taught us 'a little magic can take you a long way'. This Christmas, Sky presents the magical tale of how a boyhood Dahl met his idol Beatrix Potter. With Dawn French leading an all-star cast this surprising story, inspired by a real life encounter, is a tale as much for our times as yesteryear. Produced by Hartswood Films, it's a giant peach of a Christmas gift."
Producer Elaine Cameron adds: "This film follows a joyous and magical journey involving two of Britain's most loved children's authors. As filmmakers in the middle of a world-wide pandemic, we are similarly embarking on a journey - quite unlike anything any of us have ever experienced. The optimism and resilience of the cast and crew and the bravery of Sky to back us to the hilt, is as inspiring to me as a producer as the story itself. We are delighted that Abi's wonderful writing has attracted such a stunningly funny cast."
Roald & Beatrix, The Tail Of The Curious Mouse will be shown on Sky One in December.