A delightful animated tradition continues this year as BAFTA-winning and Oscar-nominated producers Magic Light Pictures and U.K. broadcaster the BBC announce their latest Christmas collaboration: Tabby McTat. Set on the streets of London, the story centers on the warm, wonderful friendship between a musical cat and a talented busker named Fred.
The film is adapted from the successful picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, and marks the 11th animated adaptation of their work produced by Magic Light Pictures for the BBC. The storytelling duo are celebrating 30 years of creative partnership this year, which is also the 20th anniversary of studio Magic Light Pictures.
“I used to love busking with my husband Malcolm when we were living in Bristol, and also in Paris. We also both love cats — in fact, we’ve just acquired two new kittens named Tabitha and McTat,” Donaldson shared in the announcement. “So, this story is really close to my heart and combines two of my passions: singing and cats!”
Starring Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey) — lending his well-known voice to his 11th Magic Light Pictures/BBC project — and Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísú (Gangs of London), the film follows Fred (Brydon), a busker, and his cat Tabby McTat (Dìrísú), who enjoy a contented life singing on the streets of London to delighted audiences. One day when chasing a thief, Fred falls and breaks his leg and is qhisked away in an ambulance. What will become of the busker’s cat left alone on the city streets?
The animated adventure also stars Cariad Lloyd (Peep Show) as Prunella, Joanna Scanlan (The Thick of It) as Pat and Susan Wokoma (Enola Holmes) as Sock, narrated by Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who).
Tabby McTat is directed by Sarah Scrimgeour (Superworm) and Jac Hamman (Superworm), written by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang, 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. Animation services are provided by Red Star Studio.
“Julia and Axel’s book is a beautiful, heartwarming story that we’re delighted to be adapting for BBC viewers this Christmas,” said Goodland. “The friendship between Fred and Tabby is a truly special one and the film explores how their relationship changes unexpectedly as their lives move forward, and ultimately, how they learn to embrace that change.”
Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, commented, “Magic Light’s hugely entertaining adaptations of Julia and Axel’s works have been delighting families and viewers of all ages for over a decade now. I know that Tabby is a character loved by many, so I could not be happier that he’ll be brought to life this Christmas on BBC One and iPlayer.”
Magic Light Pictures directly manages film production, global distribution, marketing and licensing of its productions and brands, including its best-known brand The Gruffalo, based on the best-selling picture books by creators Donaldson and Scheffler. Its 10 previous adaptations of the duo’s works have been sold to over 180 broadcasters worldwide, and the studio has totted up three Oscar nominations, four BAFTA wins and numerous other international awards over its two decades of operation.
