Channel 4 (U.K.) has released the official trailer and first-look images for Mog’s Christmas, the new 2D-animated adaptation of Judith Kerr’s classic children’s book (HarperCollins Children’s Books). The holiday movie is produced by Lupus Films (The Tiger Who Came to Tea, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Ethel & Ernest).
Synopsis: Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and their children Debbie and Nicky are busy making preparations for Christmas. With two Aunts and a jolly Uncle staying in the house, Mog, the beloved family cat, is feeling a bit ignored. When Mr Thomas and the two children arrive home with an enormous Christmas tree, Mog takes fright and scrambles onto the roof for safety. Regardless of the Thomas family’s attempts to rescue her, Mog refuses to come down. Despite everyone’s fears, Mog has a magical night in the snow with a cat themed Christmas dream, but will Mog arrive back home in time for Christmas Day?
The voice cast includes Adjoa Andoh, Claire Foy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Miriam Margolyes, Maggie Steed, Zawe Ashton, Charlie Higson, Gareth Berliner, Judith Kerr’s daughter Tacy Kneale and newcomers Amelie Law and Teddy Skelton. The theme song for Mog’s Christmas, “As Long as I Belong,” is composed by David Arnold with lyrics by Don Black and performed by Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
Mog’s Christmas is commissioned by Gwawr Lloyd, Drama Commissioning Editor and Caroline Hollick, Head of Drama at Channel 4 in association with Universal Pictures Content Group and produced by Lupus Films’ founders Camilla Deakin and Ruth Fielding together with executive producers Juliet Matthews at HarperCollins Children’s Books, Judith Kerr’s children Tacy and Matthew Kneale and Ann-Janine Murtagh. It is directed by Robin Shaw (director, The Tiger Who Came to Tea; co-director, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt; asst. director, The Snowman and The Snowdog) and written by Joanna Harrison (adaptation, The Tiger Who Came to Tea; co-director, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt; co-writer & art director, The Snowman and the Snowdog).
The special is a Lupus Films production in association with Tabby Tales, HarperCollins Children’s Books and Universal Pictures Content Group for Channel 4 Television. The hand-drawn animation is created at Lupus Films’ studio in London. Universal Pictures Content Group will manage the global distribution and marketing for the animated special outside of Channel 4’s rights.
You can read more about the making of Mog’s Christmas in the January ’24 issue of Animation Magazine (No. 336), available soon.
