BBC Lines Up The Scarecrows’ Wedding Adaptation

BBC has ordered The Scarecrows’ Wedding from Magic Light Pictures, marking the latest adaptation of a book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

The half-hour special, which will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer this Christmas, will star the voices of Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey, The Trip), Jessie Buckley (Wicked Little Letters, Wild Rose) and Domhnall Gleeson (About Time, Alice and Jack), with Sophie Okonedo (Slow Horses, Hotel Rwanda) as the narrator.

The Scarecrows’ Wedding tells the story of two devoted scarecrows, Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay, who are planning their wedding. 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 is in danger and everything is at risk.

The adaptation is being directed by Samantha Cutler and Jeroen Jaspaert and produced by Barney Goodland and Micheal Rose of Magic Light Pictures. It marks the 13th animated special based on Donaldson and Scheffler’s work that has been produced by Magic Light Pictures for the BBC.

“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,” Donaldson said. “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, who voices Betty, 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 recognising what’s important to you in life.”

“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.”

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, added, “We’re incredibly proud of our enduring partnership with Julia, Axel and Magic Light Pictures and can’t wait to bring the Scarecrows’ big day to millions of viewers across the U.K. this Christmas. Much like the wedding itself, this charming, funny and exquisitely animated adventure has all the perfect ingredients.”