BBC unveils "The Gruffalo and Friends" idents for Christmas 2025

Magic Light Pictures have created three charming new idents exclusively for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, commissioned especially for this festive season. The idents feature much-loved characters from the magical adaptations of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture books that have become the heart of the BBC’s Christmas offer.

“The Gruffalo” first enchanted BBC audiences on Christmas Day 2009. Since then, Magic Light Pictures and the BBC have 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.” All thirteen films will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer throughout the festive season.

This year’s animated film, “The Scarecrow’s Wedding”, is celebrated with an ident starring lead characters Harry O’Hay and Betty O’Barley, who receive a Christmas visit from Santa. The two other idents feature Zog, Pearl and Gadabout from “Zog and the Flying Doctors” and the 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 30th November and will appear throughout the Christmas period. The idents are created by Magic Light Pictures with animation by Triggerfish Animation Studios.

Kate Phillips, BBC’s Chief Content Officer, expressed that the new idents seek to convey the festive spirit: “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," noted.

Meanwhile, Martin Pope, Joint CEO, Magic Light Pictures, stated that it is a token of love for families: “It’s a real joy to see our much-loved characters returning to the BBC this Christmas. 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," commented.

This year’s animated Christmas special will be “The Scarecrows’ Wedding”, 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 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 a 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 favourite 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 by Red Star, with assets and animation support by Triggerfish Animation.