David Farnor | On 20, Sep 2019

It may only be September but BBC One is already unwrapping its new animated gift for viewers: The Snail and the Whale.

The animated short will be produced by Magic Light Pictures, the multi Oscar-nominated production company that has been providing festive family treats to BBC audiences for a decade. For Christmas 2019, they’ll bring long-time favourite picture book The Snail and the Whale to BBC One.

The beautiful tale of an unlikely friendship, a tour of the world and a heroic rescue will be voiced by Sally Hawkins (Paddington, The Shape Of Water) as Snail, Rob Brydon (Gavin & Stacey, The Trip) as Whale, and Dame Diana Rigg (Game Of Thrones, Victoria) as the Narrator.

Brydon, who has starred in all of Magic Light’s animated specials, says: “It’s always so wonderful to work with Magic Light on these animated specials for Christmas. The Snail and the Whale is a longstanding favourite in our house. It’s an epic journey across the globe, where the tiniest creature and the mightiest mammal experiences the vastness of our planet together.”

Written in 2003 by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, creators of the modern classic The Gruffalo, the picture book is published by Macmillan Children’s Books. It follows the amazing journey of a tiny snail who longs to see the world and manages to hitch a ride on the tail of a huge humpback whale.

The short is directed by Max Lang and Daniel Snaddon who have both directed a number of Magic Light productions, last year co-directing Zog. The composer is René Aubry, who has written all of the music for Magic Light’s specials. The book was adapted for screen by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang. Animation services have been provided by Triggerfish Animation in Cape Town.

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