Magic Light Pictures, in collaboration with Triggerfish Animation Studios, has produced a series of new festive idents for BBC One and BBC iPlayer. These short animated segments feature beloved characters from the adaptations of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler‘s picture books, which have become a central part of the BBC’s Christmas programming.

This year, the animated film The Scarecrows’ Wedding is highlighted with an ident starring main characters Harry O’Hay and Betty O’Barley, who receive a special Christmas visit from Santa. Additional idents showcase Zog, Pearl, and Gadabout from Zog and the Flying Doctors, as well as the Witch from Room on the Broom. Another ident brings together The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo’s Child, and Stick Man with his family.

The new idents will premiere on BBC One and BBC iPlayer after Strictly Come Dancing on November 30th and will continue to air throughout the Christmas period.

Kate Phillips, BBC’s Chief Content Officer, praised the collaboration, stating that the idents “beautifully capture the festive spirit” and feature some of Donaldson and Scheffler’s most popular characters. Martin Pope, Joint CEO of Magic Light Pictures, expressed his excitement about the return of these characters, noting that the idents celebrate the imagination and warmth of the stories and highlight BBC iPlayer as the home for the full collection.

This year’s Christmas special, The Scarecrows’ Wedding, tells the story of two devoted scarecrows, Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay, as they plan a memorable wedding. The half-hour animated film features a notable voice cast, including Rob Brydon as Reginald Rake, Jessie Buckley as Betty O’Barley, Domhnall Gleeson as Harry O’Hay, and Sophie Okonedo as the Narrator. The special is directed by Samantha Cutler and Jeroen Jaspaert, adapted by Steven Bloomer from the original book, and produced by Barney Goodland and Michael Rose of Magic Light Pictures. Animation services were provided by Red Star, with additional support from Triggerfish Animation.

Over the years, Magic Light Pictures and the BBC have created thirteen award-winning animated specials based on Donaldson and Scheffler’s books, including:

• 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
• The Scarecrows’ Wedding (this year’s special)

All thirteen films will be broadcast on BBC One and BBC iPlayer throughout the festive season.

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