Horizons for Magic Light Pictures: "Tiddler" set to shine this Christmas

The classic and effective alliance it's happening again, Magic Light Pictures and BBC to launch a new Christmas special, "Tiddler". The 12th animated adaptation of the Magic Light is set to premier on BBC One this Christmas. "This time of the year is always the highlight for us," said International Distribution Director Muriel Thomas.

"Tiddler" is the story of a small grey fish with a big imagination who gets lost in the deep wide ocean, until he’s saved by his own storytelling. The half-hour animated special will be voiced by a stellar cast led by Hannah Waddingham ("Ted Lasso") as the narrator, Lolly Adefope ("Ghosts") as Miss Skate, Jayde Adams ("Ruby Speaking") as Plaice and other characters, plus Rob Brydon ("Gavin and Stacey") and will also feature the voices of child actors Reuben Kirby in the title role, and Theo Fraser as Johnny Dory. "'Tiddler' resonates because it's a tale about imagination, adventure, and storytelling. It appeals to both children and adults with its themes of creativity and perseverance," said Thomas.

The animation is based on the book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler "it’s a chance to engage not only those familiar with the book but a broader audience. At Mipcom, we'll be showing a preview, and the international rollout will soon follow," Thomas added.

Magic Light Pictures, best known for their adaptation of "The Gruffalo" in 2009, has become staples at Christmas, but they remain hugely popular all year round. "The aim, according to Thomas, is maintaining this success year after year. These stories are timeless. They speak to generations and have the ability to feel fresh no matter how many times they’re seen."

The adaptability of Donaldson and Scheffler’s stories also ensures their global appeal. "Our specials are relevant across different cultures, but maintaining the quality of local translations is crucial to ensuring their longevity."  International pre-sales for "Tiddler" are already underway, and Thomas is optimistic about its worldwide reception. "We've placed all our previous specials in over 180 countries, and we plan to follow the same strategy with 'Tiddler' After Mipcom, we'll finalize our partners for the 2025 launch," she said.

While "Tiddler" is the main focus, Magic Light also continues to promote its other animated works, including "Pip & Posy", their first preschool series. "We’re continuing to roll out the second season and the educational spin-off series, 'Pip & Posy Let's Learn', around the world," asserted the executive.

HIGH-QUALITY CONTENT

Cinema releases are another avenue Magic Light is building up. "Our specials are beautifully crafted, and the big screen offers a completely different experience. In countries like the UK and Australia, we’ve partnered with cinema chains to ensure regular screenings in other territories we work with local distribution partners," commented Thomas.

Magic Light Pictures remains committed to producing high-quality content, and "Tiddler" is continuing this trend. The company recently announced its first full series adaptation of a Donaldson and Scheffler book, "Zog", set to launch in 2026. "It’s an animated comedy-adventure series about caring for others and the world around us. We are hugely excited to expand the world of Zog who is such a popular and beloved character" said Thomas.

As the landscape of children's entertainment continues to evolve, Magic Light Pictures is poised to remain at the forefront, combining flexibility with creativity to ensure their beloved stories reach audiences globally for generations to come.