BBC One Orders Snail and the Whale Special

BBC One has commissioned an animated adaptation of the children’s book The Snail and the Whale, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

The Snail and the Whale tells the story of an unlikely friendship between the eponymous characters as they take a tour of the world and embark on a heroic rescue mission. From Magic Light Pictures, the adaptation is slated to air as a Christmas special on BBC One.

Directed by Max Lang and Daniel Snaddon and adapted for the screen by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang, The Snail and the Whale will feature such voice talent as Sally Hawkins (Snail), Rob Brydon (Whale) and Dame Diana Rigg (Narrator).

Brydon said: “It’s always so wonderful to work with Magic Light on these animated specials for Christmas. The Snail and the Whale is a longstanding favorite in our house. It’s an epic journey across the globe, where the tiniest creature and the mightiest mammal experiences the vastness of our planet together.”