Over the years, Magic Light Pictures has had great success with its Oscar-nominated and BAFTA-winning adaptations of pictures books penned by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. So, it’s only fitting for the London-based production house to create three spots for BBC One and BBC iPlayer especially for this year’s holiday season. The animation for these station indents are produced by Triggerfish Animation studios.
This year’s upcoming animated special, The Scarecrow’s Wedding is spotlighted with an ident starring lead characters Harry O’Hay and Betty O’Barley who receive a Christmas visit from Santa. Zog, Pearl and Gadabout from Zog and the Flying Doctors and Witch from Room on the Broom; while the third features The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child with Stick Man and his family.
The idents will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer following Strictly Come Dancing on Sunday 30 November and will appear throughout the Christmas period.
“It’s a real joy to see our much-loved characters returning to the BBC this Christmas,” says Martin Pope, Joint CEO, Magic Light Pictures. “These new idents capture the heart of what makes the stories so special – imagination, warmth and wonder – and they also celebrate BBC iPlayer as the home of Gruffalo and Friends, where families can enjoy the entire wonderful collection of specials together.”
Kate Phillips, BBC’s Chief Content Officer, says: “Magic Light have done the BBC proud and created three unforgettable idents that beautifully capture the festive spirit. Featuring a selection of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s most popular characters, I hope they will spread some extra joy and togetherness into homes across the UK.”
Magic Light’s 2025 animated Christmas special will be The Scarecrows’ Wedding — a delightful tale about two loving 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 ensues, and soon Betty’s in danger and everything’s at risk. Can Harry get back in time and save the day? Full of heart, humour 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 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, Domhnall Gleeson (About Time, The Paper) as Harry O’Hay, all led by Sophie Okonedo (Slow Horses, Hotel Rwanda) as the Narrator.
The Scarecrows’ Wedding is directed by Samantha Cutler and Jeroen Jaspaert, adapted by Steven Bloomer from the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, and produced by Barney Goodland and Michael Rose of Magic Light Pictures. Animation services are provided by Red Star with assets and animation support by Triggerfish Animation. You can read all about the making of this new special in the upcoming issue of Animation Magazine.
The Gruffalo first premiered on the BBC on Christmas Day 2009. Since then, Magic Light Pictures and the BBC has brought to life thirteen award-winning animated specials based on the beloved books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler: The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, Room on the Broom, Stick Man, The Highway Rat, Zog, The Snail and the Whale, Zog and the Flying Doctors, Superworm, The Smeds and The Smoos, Tabby McTat, Tiddler and this year’s The Scarecrows’ Wedding.
