BBC & Magic Light Pics Announce ‘The Scarecrows’ Wedding’ Animated Adaptation

BBC and and multi-Oscar-nominated producers Magic Light Pictures have announced production of The Scarecrows’ Wedding — the studio’s latest animated adaption of a work by the U.K.’s No. 1 selling picture book creators, Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The film will air on BBC iPlayer and BBC One this Christmas.

The half-hour animated special features an all-star voice cast with returning favorite Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip) voicing Reginald Rake, Jessie Buckley (Wicked Little Letters, Wild Rose) as Betty O’Barley and Domhnall Gleeson (About Time, Alice and Jack) as Harry O’Hay, led by Sophie Okonedo (Slow Horses, Hotel Rwanda) as the Narrator.

“The Scarecrows’ Wedding is my favorite of all the books I’ve created with Axel Scheffler, so I’m extra specially pleased that it is to be this year’s animated adaptation from Magic Light Pictures,” said Donaldson. “It’s a love story set on a farm by the sea, and the story contains a lot of comedy and a Hollywood-style villain. (I thought of David Niven when I created that character.) The cast has brought such warmth and playfulness to the characters of Betty and Harry and the various animals, and Reginald Rake played by Rob Brydon is a real cad!”

Buckley commented, “I love this story. The film has so many beautiful little moments but I love the scene where the first glimmers of love get expressed between Harry and Betty — the anxiety and the tentativeness around that. They’re both edging closer and closer to being in the relationship, realizing that they want to be together … we’ve all been there. It’s all about young love, and recognizing what’s important to you in life. ”

Synopsis: The Scarecrows’ Wedding is an enchanting story about two devoted scarecrows, Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay, who are planning a wedding to remember. When Harry insists on leaving the farm to collect one last thing for their big day, a smooth-talking scarecrow named Reginald Rake swoops in with plans of his own. Chaos follows, and soon Betty’s in danger and everything’s at risk. Can Harry get back in time and save the day? Full of heart, humor and adventure, this is the joyful tale about loyalty, love and learning that the most important thing isn’t a grand gesture — it’s simply being together.

The special is directed by Samantha Cutler and Jeroen Jaspaert and produced by Barney Goodland and Michael Rose of Magic Light Pictures. The film was acquired by Charlotte Moore, BBC Chief Content Officer and Nawfal Faizullah, BBC Drama Commissioning Editor.

“The Scarecrows’ Wedding is a beautiful story of ‘love conquers all’ and the joy of relationships,” said Goodland. “The voice talent have embodied these characters wonderfully and there’s great chemistry between Jessie Buckley and Domhnall Gleeson as Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay. The animation is looking absolutely stunning and we’re excited to share the film with families this Christmas.”

The Scarecrows’ Wedding is the 13th animated special based on Donaldson & Scheffler’s work to be produced by Magic Light Pictures for the BBC. Last year’s animation, Tiddler, saw an audience of 7.3 million and the highest audience share on Christmas Day for a Magic Light Pictures film since The Gruffalo in 2009.

Magic Light’s previous adaptions of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s works are available to stream in the U.K. on BBC iPlayer.