The BBC and Magic Light Pictures unveil animated project, "Tabby McTat"

The BBC and Magic Light Pictures has today released a first look of forthcoming Christmas animated adventure, "Tabby McTat." “'Tabby McTat' is such a beautiful story about embracing change and the transitions in life as well - from childhood to adulthood and people going on journeys," Narrator Jodie Whittaker said. "There is so much warmth and celebration of family and community, but then there's also, the moments of fear and loss that is often a gain.”

"Tabby McTat" is directed by Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman, 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. The title stars Rob Brydon as Fred, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísú as Tabby, Cariad Lloyd as Prunella, Joanna Scanlan as Pat, Jodie Whittaker  as the narrator, and Susan Wokoma as Sock. Animation services are provided by Red Star Studio. 

The film, for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, is adapted from the successful picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, marking the 11th animated special of their work produced by Magic Light Pictures for the BBC. “The story is very special to me because as well as having been a busker myself, I'm also a great cat lover," Julia Donaldson said. "At the time I wrote it we had cats, but they were very old and alas, are no more. But now we have two Tabby cats and they're called Tabitha and McTat.”

Jodie Whittaker, the narrator of this year’s adaptation, reflects on what it means to her to be involved, how the story resonates with her own childhood, and of course, on being a cat lover! The story set on the streets of London is centered on the friendship between a musical cat and a talented busker called Fred.“We had cats when we were growing up. My cat gave birth under my bed, and it was magical. But then as a child you realise your parents don't let you keep them all," Whittaker said. ‘"What? I thought we were going to have five kittens forever,’ but I was lucky, and I did get to keep one of them. Its name was phenomenal - Wicket W. Warrick - named after an Ewok, and it had an older brother called Teebo, another Ewok! And my cat was beautiful, very beautiful with long brown hair and looked like an Ewok and with a personality very similar to mine - needy and a bit feral!”