Nicole Scherzinger, Succession star Sarah Snook, Game of Thrones and Sherlock actor Mark Gatiss, a revival of the musical Sunset Boulevard and the play Stranger Things: The First Shadow were among the winners at the 2024 Olivier Awards, which celebrate achievements in London theater. The ceremony at Royal Albert Hall in the British capital was hosted by Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham.
The revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s Sunset Boulevard, which has starred Scherzinger as Norma Desmond and is set to come to Broadway this year, won the best musical revival award, the best actress honor for the former Pussycat Dolls singer and five other honors after also leading the nominations with 11.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a prequel to the Netflix hit series, which has hinted at its Broadway ambitions, won the best new entertainment or comedy play award, as well as the Olivier for best set design.
Dear England,...
The revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s Sunset Boulevard, which has starred Scherzinger as Norma Desmond and is set to come to Broadway this year, won the best musical revival award, the best actress honor for the former Pussycat Dolls singer and five other honors after also leading the nominations with 11.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a prequel to the Netflix hit series, which has hinted at its Broadway ambitions, won the best new entertainment or comedy play award, as well as the Olivier for best set design.
Dear England,...
- 4/14/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sarah Snook, Sarah Jessica Parker, Andrew Scott and David Tennant were among the nominees for the 2024 Olivier Awards, which celebrate achievements in London theater.
Parker was nominated for best actress for her role in Plaza Suite, opposite her husband, Matthew Broderick, while Snook was nominated in the same category for her one-woman take on The Picture of Dorian Gray. Tennant was nominated for best actor for his role in Macbeth, in the same category as Andrew Scott, in a one-man version of Vanya.
Sunset Boulevard, which starred Nicole Scherzinger, who is also nominated, and is set to come to Broadway next year, received 11 nominations, while Dear England, a play by James Graham about an English football manager, received nine nominations. Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a prequel to the television series, which has also hinted at its Broadway ambitions, is up for best new entertainment or comedy play.
The Olivier...
Parker was nominated for best actress for her role in Plaza Suite, opposite her husband, Matthew Broderick, while Snook was nominated in the same category for her one-woman take on The Picture of Dorian Gray. Tennant was nominated for best actor for his role in Macbeth, in the same category as Andrew Scott, in a one-man version of Vanya.
Sunset Boulevard, which starred Nicole Scherzinger, who is also nominated, and is set to come to Broadway next year, received 11 nominations, while Dear England, a play by James Graham about an English football manager, received nine nominations. Stranger Things: The First Shadow, a prequel to the television series, which has also hinted at its Broadway ambitions, is up for best new entertainment or comedy play.
The Olivier...
- 3/12/2024
- by Caitlin Huston
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Stars including Sarah Jessica Parker, Sarah Snook, Andrew Scott and David Tennant will compete for Olivier Awards at the UK’s most prestigious theater ceremony next month.
The Sex and the City stars is up for Best Actress for her performance in Plaza Suite – her first Olivier – while Succession’s Snook has picked up a nod for her critically-acclaimed performance as 26 characters in The Picture of Dorian Gray.
In the Best Actor category, Scott’s performance in Vanya will come up against Tennant’s role in Macbeth, while the starry nominee list also includes Joseph Fiennes for Dear England, which is being made into a BBC series, Mark Gatiss for The Motive And The Cue and James Norton in A Little Life.
Other notable nominations include for singer Nicole Scherzinger in Sunset Boulevard, where she has picked up a nod for Best Actress in a Musical. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s...
The Sex and the City stars is up for Best Actress for her performance in Plaza Suite – her first Olivier – while Succession’s Snook has picked up a nod for her critically-acclaimed performance as 26 characters in The Picture of Dorian Gray.
In the Best Actor category, Scott’s performance in Vanya will come up against Tennant’s role in Macbeth, while the starry nominee list also includes Joseph Fiennes for Dear England, which is being made into a BBC series, Mark Gatiss for The Motive And The Cue and James Norton in A Little Life.
Other notable nominations include for singer Nicole Scherzinger in Sunset Boulevard, where she has picked up a nod for Best Actress in a Musical. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s...
- 3/12/2024
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
The Smeds And The Smoos
An ancient feud, jungle exploration, forbidden romance and an interplanetary adventure complete with aliens – BAFTA longlisted animation The Smeds And The Smoos has got it all. It’s based on the book by children's author and illustrator team Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, best known for the Gruffalo and Samantha, and has been brought to life by director team Samantha Cutler and Daniel Snaddon. I caught up with the two of them at an animation event late last year to find out how this delightful children’s fable made it to the screen and enjoyed such success there.
Daniel has worked on previous adaptations of Donaldson and Scheffler’s work, and for him it was all about the story.
“It's about two races of aliens,” he explains. “Red aliens and blue aliens who live on a planet. And they're neighbours and they can't stand each other.
An ancient feud, jungle exploration, forbidden romance and an interplanetary adventure complete with aliens – BAFTA longlisted animation The Smeds And The Smoos has got it all. It’s based on the book by children's author and illustrator team Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, best known for the Gruffalo and Samantha, and has been brought to life by director team Samantha Cutler and Daniel Snaddon. I caught up with the two of them at an animation event late last year to find out how this delightful children’s fable made it to the screen and enjoyed such success there.
Daniel has worked on previous adaptations of Donaldson and Scheffler’s work, and for him it was all about the story.
“It's about two races of aliens,” he explains. “Red aliens and blue aliens who live on a planet. And they're neighbours and they can't stand each other.
- 1/10/2024
- by Jennie Kermode
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Are you living up to those New Year’s resolutions so far? Need a little help gaining momentum? BBC Maestro is here to help with a phenomenal deal. Sign up by January 31 and you can take 40% off any purchase. The most popular plan is their annual subscription, now $72 instead of $120. That’s just $6/month to learn a world of new skills. Use the code JANUARY2024 to get the deal.
Get the Deal $6/month bbcmaestro.com Save $48 on the Annual Plan with code JANUARY2024 What is BBC Maestro?
BBC Maestro is very similar to the well-known MasterClass series. Celebrity instructors will walk you through everything you need to know to get started on a new skill set. Gain new skills in the kitchen, learn how to create stories, and discover how to start a business!
Each course runs between 2-4 hours, and the lessons are broken into short videos.
While you...
Get the Deal $6/month bbcmaestro.com Save $48 on the Annual Plan with code JANUARY2024 What is BBC Maestro?
BBC Maestro is very similar to the well-known MasterClass series. Celebrity instructors will walk you through everything you need to know to get started on a new skill set. Gain new skills in the kitchen, learn how to create stories, and discover how to start a business!
Each course runs between 2-4 hours, and the lessons are broken into short videos.
While you...
- 1/8/2024
- by Ben Bowman
- The Streamable
King Charles III’s Christmas Day message topped Ncuti Gatwa’s debut in Doctor Who, dominating the UK ratings charts on December 25.
The King’s Christmas Broadcast, which is the monarch’s annual address to the British people, took over 6.5 million viewers, according to official data from overnights.tv. The bulk of viewing (5.2 million) was on BBC1, with BBC2, ITV, ITV3, Sky News and Gb News and ITV1’s +1 channel also contributing to the total. Including viewing across the day, the total was around 7.5 million, with BBC1 pulling in 5.9 million.
Combined, the live viewing total was more than a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, which was second with 5.4 million on BBC1 and the heavily-anticipated Doctor Who special, which took 4.5 million as The Doctor regenerated as Sex Education and Barbie star Gatwa. The 14th season of Doctor Who was this week confirmed to launch on BBC1 in the UK and on...
The King’s Christmas Broadcast, which is the monarch’s annual address to the British people, took over 6.5 million viewers, according to official data from overnights.tv. The bulk of viewing (5.2 million) was on BBC1, with BBC2, ITV, ITV3, Sky News and Gb News and ITV1’s +1 channel also contributing to the total. Including viewing across the day, the total was around 7.5 million, with BBC1 pulling in 5.9 million.
Combined, the live viewing total was more than a Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, which was second with 5.4 million on BBC1 and the heavily-anticipated Doctor Who special, which took 4.5 million as The Doctor regenerated as Sex Education and Barbie star Gatwa. The 14th season of Doctor Who was this week confirmed to launch on BBC1 in the UK and on...
- 12/27/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Aquaman star Jason Momoa swaps a trident for silk pyjamas as he joins the list of celebrities reading a CBeebies Bedtime Story.
Jason Momoa is following in the footsteps of Tom Hardy and joins the growing roster of celebrity readers for CBeebies Bedtime Stories. Momoa will be appearing on TV screens across the UK in black silk pyjamas and reading Tiddler by Julia Donaldson to the kiddos – and probably a few parents, too.
“One of my favourite books that I read to my children as they were growing up was The Gruffalo, so I am very happy to read another amazing story by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler for a CBeebies Bedtime Story,” Momoa said of his stint on the popular children’s programme.
It’s a big week for CBeebies Bedtime Stories with a high profile list of readers. Tom Hardy kicks things off with a reading of Tisha...
Jason Momoa is following in the footsteps of Tom Hardy and joins the growing roster of celebrity readers for CBeebies Bedtime Stories. Momoa will be appearing on TV screens across the UK in black silk pyjamas and reading Tiddler by Julia Donaldson to the kiddos – and probably a few parents, too.
“One of my favourite books that I read to my children as they were growing up was The Gruffalo, so I am very happy to read another amazing story by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler for a CBeebies Bedtime Story,” Momoa said of his stint on the popular children’s programme.
It’s a big week for CBeebies Bedtime Stories with a high profile list of readers. Tom Hardy kicks things off with a reading of Tisha...
- 12/18/2023
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
Tom Hardy will read Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandøy’s The Oak Tree on CBeebies Bedtime Story tonight.
When Tom Hardy first joined the CBeebies Bedtime Stories, the internet went into a frenzy. Sure, the kids loved listening to the Venom actor read stories, but I’m willing to bed a lot of adults tuned in too, sans kids. I know I did.
Well, Hardy is back for some more children’s stories. The actor will be gracing our screens tonight, 1st December, and will be reading Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandøy’s The Oak Tree to celebrate National Tree Week. The story revolves around a tiny acorn’s journey from a tiny seed to a mighty oak over a thousand years as it witnesses Viking invasions, teddy bear picnics and everything in between.
Hardy will also be joined by his adorable French bulldog, Blue. Let’s be honest here,...
When Tom Hardy first joined the CBeebies Bedtime Stories, the internet went into a frenzy. Sure, the kids loved listening to the Venom actor read stories, but I’m willing to bed a lot of adults tuned in too, sans kids. I know I did.
Well, Hardy is back for some more children’s stories. The actor will be gracing our screens tonight, 1st December, and will be reading Julia Donaldson and Victoria Sandøy’s The Oak Tree to celebrate National Tree Week. The story revolves around a tiny acorn’s journey from a tiny seed to a mighty oak over a thousand years as it witnesses Viking invasions, teddy bear picnics and everything in between.
Hardy will also be joined by his adorable French bulldog, Blue. Let’s be honest here,...
- 12/1/2023
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories
It’s beginning to look a lot like… well, November.
But while it’s certainly pretty Novembery at the time of writing this, there’s already a sleighful of excellent UK Christmas TV to look forward to – from festive funnies like Not Going Out and the last ever episode of Ghosts to Christmassy crime dramas like Beyond Paradise and brand-new Agatha Christie adaptation Murder Is Easy.
And of course, every Whovian’s Christmas wish has been answered with the return of the Doctor Who Christmas special!
There’s a festive feline theme to family viewing, with Julia Donaldson’s annual animated gift to parents being Tabby McTat, and Channel 4 giving us an all-star adaptation of Mog’s Christmas. And, as dependable as cranberry sauce and family arguments, there are all your favourite Christmas special episodes, from Taskmaster to Qi and beyond.
So stock up on the Quality Street, test...
But while it’s certainly pretty Novembery at the time of writing this, there’s already a sleighful of excellent UK Christmas TV to look forward to – from festive funnies like Not Going Out and the last ever episode of Ghosts to Christmassy crime dramas like Beyond Paradise and brand-new Agatha Christie adaptation Murder Is Easy.
And of course, every Whovian’s Christmas wish has been answered with the return of the Doctor Who Christmas special!
There’s a festive feline theme to family viewing, with Julia Donaldson’s annual animated gift to parents being Tabby McTat, and Channel 4 giving us an all-star adaptation of Mog’s Christmas. And, as dependable as cranberry sauce and family arguments, there are all your favourite Christmas special episodes, from Taskmaster to Qi and beyond.
So stock up on the Quality Street, test...
- 11/30/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
Halloween is spine-chilling in general, but especially so if you’re a parent.
The amount of calories you consume while stealing your children’s hard-won candy? Gasp. Running out of sweets when there’s a minibus worth of spooky kids at your front door? Whimper. The price of Halloween costumes they’ll grow out of by Christmas? Scream.
You’d be better off extinguishing the pumpkin, barricading the door and curling up with one of these family-friendly Halloween movies instead – from animated delights to cult classics – which all fall under the ooky-spooky rather than blood-and-guts end of the scale.
(All streaming info correct as of September 2023)
For Pre-school Kids Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of The Were-Rabbit (2005)
This Oscar-winning stop-motion classic was the fourth film for classic British double-act Wallace and Gromit, a cheese-loving inventor and his silent anthropomorphic dog, and like their previous short films (such as The Wrong...
The amount of calories you consume while stealing your children’s hard-won candy? Gasp. Running out of sweets when there’s a minibus worth of spooky kids at your front door? Whimper. The price of Halloween costumes they’ll grow out of by Christmas? Scream.
You’d be better off extinguishing the pumpkin, barricading the door and curling up with one of these family-friendly Halloween movies instead – from animated delights to cult classics – which all fall under the ooky-spooky rather than blood-and-guts end of the scale.
(All streaming info correct as of September 2023)
For Pre-school Kids Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of The Were-Rabbit (2005)
This Oscar-winning stop-motion classic was the fourth film for classic British double-act Wallace and Gromit, a cheese-loving inventor and his silent anthropomorphic dog, and like their previous short films (such as The Wrong...
- 10/8/2023
- by Louisa Mellor
- Den of Geek
“Succession” star Brian Cox is the latest luminary to impart his knowledge as part of the BBC’s Maestro online education initiative.
Cox’s course, titled simply “Acting,” will shine a spotlight on how to deliver award-winning performances, capture — and hold — an audience’s collective attention, and embody a multitude of iconic characters. As is customary with the Maestro template, across his lessons, Cox will direct aspiring actors through practical exercises designed to help them master both stage and screen. Lessons will delve into character development, script analysis and the essential techniques to take into their next audition. The course will include a discussion of the key components of acting, insights from a casting director and a practical workshop led by Cox.
The classically trained actor is a graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Besides Logan Roy in “Succession,” his performances as Hermann Göring in “Nuremberg,...
Cox’s course, titled simply “Acting,” will shine a spotlight on how to deliver award-winning performances, capture — and hold — an audience’s collective attention, and embody a multitude of iconic characters. As is customary with the Maestro template, across his lessons, Cox will direct aspiring actors through practical exercises designed to help them master both stage and screen. Lessons will delve into character development, script analysis and the essential techniques to take into their next audition. The course will include a discussion of the key components of acting, insights from a casting director and a practical workshop led by Cox.
The classically trained actor is a graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. Besides Logan Roy in “Succession,” his performances as Hermann Göring in “Nuremberg,...
- 9/12/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Theo James was in a London park when he learned he was nominated for his first Emmy for his role as chaotic finance bro Cameron on HBO’s The White Lotus, and when the British actor got on the phone with THR, he hadn’t yet had a chance to talk to any of his co-stars — many of whom were also nominated. Overall, The White Lotus racked up 23 nominations during the July 12 announcement.
That was his plan after he hung up. “I’m going to try to get a hold of people, and then I think I’m going to have a drink,” he says. “An alcoholic drink. I haven’t chosen which one.” The next stop? Reading Julia Donaldson’s book Room on the Broom to his daughter. “That’s probably what I’ll be doing,” he adds. “A drink and then a children’s story.”
In this season...
That was his plan after he hung up. “I’m going to try to get a hold of people, and then I think I’m going to have a drink,” he says. “An alcoholic drink. I haven’t chosen which one.” The next stop? Reading Julia Donaldson’s book Room on the Broom to his daughter. “That’s probably what I’ll be doing,” he adds. “A drink and then a children’s story.”
In this season...
- 8/8/2023
- by Esther Zuckerman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Adaptation
“Tabby McTat,” the lively children’s story by writer Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, is set to get the BBC treatment with a new adaptation by longtime Donaldson/Scheffler collaborators Magic Light Pictures. “Doctor Who” star Jodie Whittaker will narrate the tale about a cat who gets separated from his owner while Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísú (“Gangs of London”) will voice Tabby. Other stars lending their voices to the short include Rob Brydon (“Gavin and Stacey”), Cariad Lloyd (“Peep Show”), Joanna Scanlan (“The Thick of It”) and Susan Wokoma (“Enola Holmes”).
“Superworm” directors Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman will helm the project, which was written by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang. Barney Goodland and Michael Rose of Magic Light Pictures will produce. BBC chief content office Charlotte Moore and BBC drama commissioning editor Nawfal Faizullah acquired the film for the BBC. Red Star Studio will provide animation services.
Disney Season...
“Tabby McTat,” the lively children’s story by writer Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, is set to get the BBC treatment with a new adaptation by longtime Donaldson/Scheffler collaborators Magic Light Pictures. “Doctor Who” star Jodie Whittaker will narrate the tale about a cat who gets separated from his owner while Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísú (“Gangs of London”) will voice Tabby. Other stars lending their voices to the short include Rob Brydon (“Gavin and Stacey”), Cariad Lloyd (“Peep Show”), Joanna Scanlan (“The Thick of It”) and Susan Wokoma (“Enola Holmes”).
“Superworm” directors Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman will helm the project, which was written by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang. Barney Goodland and Michael Rose of Magic Light Pictures will produce. BBC chief content office Charlotte Moore and BBC drama commissioning editor Nawfal Faizullah acquired the film for the BBC. Red Star Studio will provide animation services.
Disney Season...
- 5/11/2023
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
‘Doctor Who’ Unveils Jonathan Groff First Look
Jonathan Groff has begun filming his Doctor Who scenes and the BBC has unveiled a first look. The BBC is keeping details about Groff’s character close to its chest but the images show him dressed in Victorian-style clothing flanked by the new doctor, Ncuti Gatwa, and Millie Gibson, who is playing companion Ruby Sunday. Groff, who shot to fame in Glee and has since starred in the likes of Knock at the Cabin, Mindhunter and The Matrix Resurrections, is one of the most high profile stars to have landed a role in the new season, which will air later this year. The likes of Heartstopper’s Yasmin Finney and RuPaul star Jinx Monsoon have also boarded, while David Tennant and Catherine Tate are returning for anniversary specials. Upon the Groff news last week, showrunner Russell T Davies called his signature “an incredible coup.
Jonathan Groff has begun filming his Doctor Who scenes and the BBC has unveiled a first look. The BBC is keeping details about Groff’s character close to its chest but the images show him dressed in Victorian-style clothing flanked by the new doctor, Ncuti Gatwa, and Millie Gibson, who is playing companion Ruby Sunday. Groff, who shot to fame in Glee and has since starred in the likes of Knock at the Cabin, Mindhunter and The Matrix Resurrections, is one of the most high profile stars to have landed a role in the new season, which will air later this year. The likes of Heartstopper’s Yasmin Finney and RuPaul star Jinx Monsoon have also boarded, while David Tennant and Catherine Tate are returning for anniversary specials. Upon the Groff news last week, showrunner Russell T Davies called his signature “an incredible coup.
- 5/11/2023
- by Jesse Whittock and Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Set to hit the BBC on Christmas Day in the U.K., “The Smeds and The Smoos” is the tenth in a series of screen adaptations based on books by iconic children’s publishing duo Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. Starring the voices of “Bridgerton’s” Adjoa Andoh and comedian Bill Bailey, the film was produced by long-time Donaldson/Scheffler collaborators Magic Light Pictures.
The 30-minute adaptation tells the story of two adorable aliens, Bill and Janet, who come from warring clans. When they fall in love and run away together, their families reluctantly team up to find them and bring them home – unexpectedly becoming friends in the process.
Donaldson writes (usually in rhyming couplets) while Scheffler illustrates (although he has also written his own pictures books too). Together they hit gold over 25 years ago with “The Gruffalo,” spawning an Oscar-nominated film starring Helena Bonham Carter, an array of carefully-curated merchandise,...
The 30-minute adaptation tells the story of two adorable aliens, Bill and Janet, who come from warring clans. When they fall in love and run away together, their families reluctantly team up to find them and bring them home – unexpectedly becoming friends in the process.
Donaldson writes (usually in rhyming couplets) while Scheffler illustrates (although he has also written his own pictures books too). Together they hit gold over 25 years ago with “The Gruffalo,” spawning an Oscar-nominated film starring Helena Bonham Carter, an array of carefully-curated merchandise,...
- 12/13/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Trailer
Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins can be heard narrating “The Smeds and the Smoos,” the upcoming BBC adaptation of the book of the same name by beloved children’s writer Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, in a new trailer released today.
A loose re-telling of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the charming adaptation, from Magic Light Pictures, “The Smeds and the Smoos” also features the voices of “Bridgerton’s” Adjoa Andoh and comedian Bill Bailey (“Black Books”) as well as Meera Syal (“Roar”), Rob Brydon (“Gavin and Stacey”), Ashna Rabheru (“Sex Education”) and Daniel Ezra (“All American”).
It will air in the U.K. on Christmas Day.
Check out the trailer below:
Commission
A biopic of one of the U.K.’s most famous soccer siblings, Justin and John Fashanu, has been set at U.K. broadcaster ITV. Justin, who became Britain’s first Black soccer star to command £1 million,...
Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins can be heard narrating “The Smeds and the Smoos,” the upcoming BBC adaptation of the book of the same name by beloved children’s writer Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler, in a new trailer released today.
A loose re-telling of Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” the charming adaptation, from Magic Light Pictures, “The Smeds and the Smoos” also features the voices of “Bridgerton’s” Adjoa Andoh and comedian Bill Bailey (“Black Books”) as well as Meera Syal (“Roar”), Rob Brydon (“Gavin and Stacey”), Ashna Rabheru (“Sex Education”) and Daniel Ezra (“All American”).
It will air in the U.K. on Christmas Day.
Check out the trailer below:
Commission
A biopic of one of the U.K.’s most famous soccer siblings, Justin and John Fashanu, has been set at U.K. broadcaster ITV. Justin, who became Britain’s first Black soccer star to command £1 million,...
- 12/2/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
The first image has been released of Bill Bailey and Adjoa Andoh’s characters in upcoming BBC short film “The Smeds and The Smoos.”
Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture-book of the same name, it tells the story of two warring families whose children, Bill and Janet, fall in love and run away together.
Hotly pursued by their grandparents, Grandfather Smed (Bailey) and Grandmother Smoo (Andoh), the two young aliens lead their families on a chase across space, giving them the opportunity to find out they have more in common than they think.
Rounding out the cast are Ashna Rabheru as Janet, Daniel Ezra as Bill, Rob Brydon as Uncle Smoo, Meera Syal as Aunt Smed and Sally Hawkins as the narrator.
The film, produced by Magic Light Pictures, will be released on BBC One and iPlayer this Christmas.
“There’s just the sort of ignorant prejudice...
Based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture-book of the same name, it tells the story of two warring families whose children, Bill and Janet, fall in love and run away together.
Hotly pursued by their grandparents, Grandfather Smed (Bailey) and Grandmother Smoo (Andoh), the two young aliens lead their families on a chase across space, giving them the opportunity to find out they have more in common than they think.
Rounding out the cast are Ashna Rabheru as Janet, Daniel Ezra as Bill, Rob Brydon as Uncle Smoo, Meera Syal as Aunt Smed and Sally Hawkins as the narrator.
The film, produced by Magic Light Pictures, will be released on BBC One and iPlayer this Christmas.
“There’s just the sort of ignorant prejudice...
- 9/28/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Julia Donaldson’s “Romeo and Juliet”-inspired story “The Smeds and The Smoos” is set to be adapted for a BBC Christmas special starring Oscar-nominee Sally Hawkins (“The Shape of Water”), “Bridgerton’s” Adjoa Andoh and comedian Bill Bailey.
Oscar-nominated production company, who have previously adapted nine of Donaldson’s children’s books for the BBC, will once again take the helm on the project, which will also be based on Axel Scheffler’s original illustrations, with Blue Zoo Animation Studio providing animation services.
Donaldson and Scheffler are the duo behind iconic children’s stories including “The Gruffalo.”
Daniel Snaddon (“The Snail and the Whale”) and Samantha Cutler will direct based on a screenplay by Julia Smuts Louw. René Aubry is composing the music.
“The Smeds and The Smoos” tells the story of two aliens – Bill and Janet – from warring families who fall in love. Faced with their tribes’ disapprobation,...
Oscar-nominated production company, who have previously adapted nine of Donaldson’s children’s books for the BBC, will once again take the helm on the project, which will also be based on Axel Scheffler’s original illustrations, with Blue Zoo Animation Studio providing animation services.
Donaldson and Scheffler are the duo behind iconic children’s stories including “The Gruffalo.”
Daniel Snaddon (“The Snail and the Whale”) and Samantha Cutler will direct based on a screenplay by Julia Smuts Louw. René Aubry is composing the music.
“The Smeds and The Smoos” tells the story of two aliens – Bill and Janet – from warring families who fall in love. Faced with their tribes’ disapprobation,...
- 5/17/2022
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler are Britain’s answer to Dr. Seuss.
Ever since publishing “The Gruffalo” — written by Donaldson and illustrated by Scheffler — in 1999, the duo have delighted millions of children with their stories of robber rats, wandering whales and fantastical fish.
In 2009, U.K. production company Magic Light Pictures turned “The Gruffalo,” about a little mouse who ventures into a deep, dark wood, into a 30-minute animated special voiced by James Corden and Helena Bonham Carter. It turned out to be the first of nine animated adaptations of Donaldson and Scheffler’s works.
(Magic Light also manage licensing for the books and films. In Britain alone, the Donaldson/Scheffler empire includes theme park rides, exhibitions, toys and educational materials. “It’s quite frightening,” says Scheffler of what he calls “Gruffalo madness.”)
Their latest holiday special, which airs in the U.K. on Christmas Day and will be rolled...
Ever since publishing “The Gruffalo” — written by Donaldson and illustrated by Scheffler — in 1999, the duo have delighted millions of children with their stories of robber rats, wandering whales and fantastical fish.
In 2009, U.K. production company Magic Light Pictures turned “The Gruffalo,” about a little mouse who ventures into a deep, dark wood, into a 30-minute animated special voiced by James Corden and Helena Bonham Carter. It turned out to be the first of nine animated adaptations of Donaldson and Scheffler’s works.
(Magic Light also manage licensing for the books and films. In Britain alone, the Donaldson/Scheffler empire includes theme park rides, exhibitions, toys and educational materials. “It’s quite frightening,” says Scheffler of what he calls “Gruffalo madness.”)
Their latest holiday special, which airs in the U.K. on Christmas Day and will be rolled...
- 12/21/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
Prebble, Davies And Kirkwood Up For Wggb Awards
Lucy Prebble’s I Hate Suzie, Russell T Davies’ It’s A Sin and Lucy Kirkwood’s Adult Material will battle it out for the Best Long Form TV Drama gong in February’s Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (Wggb) Awards, which is honoring two years’ worth of shows due to last year’s Covid-induced cancellation. Other prominent nominees include Emerald Fennell for Promising Young Woman, up against Remi Weekes’ His House and Theresa Ikoko/Claire Wilson’s Rocks for Best Screenplay, while female creators are recognized in the Best TV Situation Comedy category as Mae Martin, Sarah Kendall and Aisling Bea are all nominated. The awards will take place on 14 February in Central London. “What a fitting day to celebrate the cream of British writers – who have kept us entertained on page, stage, screen and across the airwaves, through such dark times,...
Lucy Prebble’s I Hate Suzie, Russell T Davies’ It’s A Sin and Lucy Kirkwood’s Adult Material will battle it out for the Best Long Form TV Drama gong in February’s Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (Wggb) Awards, which is honoring two years’ worth of shows due to last year’s Covid-induced cancellation. Other prominent nominees include Emerald Fennell for Promising Young Woman, up against Remi Weekes’ His House and Theresa Ikoko/Claire Wilson’s Rocks for Best Screenplay, while female creators are recognized in the Best TV Situation Comedy category as Mae Martin, Sarah Kendall and Aisling Bea are all nominated. The awards will take place on 14 February in Central London. “What a fitting day to celebrate the cream of British writers – who have kept us entertained on page, stage, screen and across the airwaves, through such dark times,...
- 12/7/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
David Attenborough will choose his favorite recordings from the natural world that have revolutionized our understanding of song as part of a packed BBC Christmas slate on which he features twice.
The majority of shows on the slate, one of the BBC’s largest of the year, have already been announced, and The Wonder of Song from Mike Birkhead Associates is one of two Attenborough films that will air this December. The other is Windfall Films’ Attenborough and the Mammoth Graveyard (working title).
Wonder of Song will see the much-loved 95-year-old presenter choose songs from the largest lemur to the humpback whale and the lyrebird — all recorded in his lifetime, the oldest, when he was just 5 and the most recent from a few years ago. Attenborough’s longtime collaborator Mike Birkhead is writer, director and producer alongside Beth Jones.
The only other previously unannounced BBC Christmas shows are a Christmas...
The majority of shows on the slate, one of the BBC’s largest of the year, have already been announced, and The Wonder of Song from Mike Birkhead Associates is one of two Attenborough films that will air this December. The other is Windfall Films’ Attenborough and the Mammoth Graveyard (working title).
Wonder of Song will see the much-loved 95-year-old presenter choose songs from the largest lemur to the humpback whale and the lyrebird — all recorded in his lifetime, the oldest, when he was just 5 and the most recent from a few years ago. Attenborough’s longtime collaborator Mike Birkhead is writer, director and producer alongside Beth Jones.
The only other previously unannounced BBC Christmas shows are a Christmas...
- 11/23/2021
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
‘Tick, Tick…Boom!’ and foreign-language titles ‘Wesele’ and ‘Kurup’ are also new.
Holdovers from the major studios look set to dominate the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, with Chloe Zhao’s Marvel epic Eternals aiming to build upon its debut last week, where it made £5.5m from 642 locations.
Universal’s No Time To Die has enjoyed six weekends in the top two with its total standing at £89.9m. Matching Spectre’s £95.2m is still possible, but Skyfall’s £103.2m now seems out of reach. Another strong contender for the top five is Warner Bros’ Dune, which took £1.6m in its...
Holdovers from the major studios look set to dominate the UK-Ireland box office this weekend, with Chloe Zhao’s Marvel epic Eternals aiming to build upon its debut last week, where it made £5.5m from 642 locations.
Universal’s No Time To Die has enjoyed six weekends in the top two with its total standing at £89.9m. Matching Spectre’s £95.2m is still possible, but Skyfall’s £103.2m now seems out of reach. Another strong contender for the top five is Warner Bros’ Dune, which took £1.6m in its...
- 11/12/2021
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Filmmakers Max Lang and Daniel Snaddon are no strangers to the world of adapting the vividly illustrated children’s books of Julia Donaldson for animation. They’ve adapted “Room on the Broom,” “The Gruffalo” and “Stick Man,” and this time they’re vying for Oscar short animated film and Annie Awards consideration with another beloved story, “The Snail and the Whale.”
Produced in a stop-motion/CG hybrid style, the story is a simple one — a snail yearns to see the world, so it catches a ride on the back of a whale.
In one sequence, the snail is looking up at the night sky filled with stars. Lang says, “This shot pretty much sums up for me what our film is about: confronting the vastness of the universe and our feelings of insignificance, with a little help from our friends.”
Snaddon adds that the idea behind the shot was to...
Produced in a stop-motion/CG hybrid style, the story is a simple one — a snail yearns to see the world, so it catches a ride on the back of a whale.
In one sequence, the snail is looking up at the night sky filled with stars. Lang says, “This shot pretty much sums up for me what our film is about: confronting the vastness of the universe and our feelings of insignificance, with a little help from our friends.”
Snaddon adds that the idea behind the shot was to...
- 3/8/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
When adapting “The Snail and the Whale” into a short film, Max Lang and Daniel Snaddon had to find ways of stretching out the very short story into a nearly 30 minute short film. Both of them found different ways of bringing more to the story. For Lang, he added a scene where the snail initially tries to hitch a ride with on a boat but nearly gets eaten by seagulls. “What that helped us to establish was that she was trying, she had the drive to go out there. But it’s a dangerous world and this establishes stakes as well. She’s a little snail but she’s also brave,” he tells us in our recent webchat (watch the exclusive video above). Snaddon echoes these thoughts and adds that he wanted to help accentuate the beauty of the story as well as the characters. “It’s not really a comedy.
- 3/5/2021
- by Charles Bright
- Gold Derby
Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars from Film Awards Editor Clayton Davis. Following Academy Awards history, buzz, news, reviews and sources, the Oscar predictions are updated regularly with the current year's contenders in all categories. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. Eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and will be displayed next to revision date.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Collective
Draft>>>Pre Season>>>Regular Season>>>Post Season
2021 Oscars Predictions:
Best Animated Short Film
Updated: Feb. 25, 2021
Awards Prediction Commentary: The Academy announced the shortlist for the animated short contenders, and they produced an interesting crop of selections. Netflix is placing all their power and influence behind the emotional “If Anything Happens I Love You.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Collective
Draft>>>Pre Season>>>Regular Season>>>Post Season
2021 Oscars Predictions:
Best Animated Short Film
Updated: Feb. 25, 2021
Awards Prediction Commentary: The Academy announced the shortlist for the animated short contenders, and they produced an interesting crop of selections. Netflix is placing all their power and influence behind the emotional “If Anything Happens I Love You.
- 2/25/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Olivia Colman (“The Crown”), Matt Smith (“Doctor Who”), Patricia Allison (“Sex Education”) and Rob Brydon (“The Trip” franchise) lead the voice cast of BBC animation special “Superworm.”
Based on the book “Superworm,” written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the half-hour show will air over Christmas on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The show follows Superworm, who is a hero always on hand to help out all the other animals and insects, whose latest challenge is to fight the wicked Wizard Lizard and his servant Crow.
Colman said: “This is such a lovely project to be involved with. When reading the script, and imagining all those goings on at the end of the garden, I could really get a feel for the pure fun and joy that the film will bring. I’ve always loved these charming productions at Christmas and I’m delighted to be voicing the narrator.
Based on the book “Superworm,” written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the half-hour show will air over Christmas on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The show follows Superworm, who is a hero always on hand to help out all the other animals and insects, whose latest challenge is to fight the wicked Wizard Lizard and his servant Crow.
Colman said: “This is such a lovely project to be involved with. When reading the script, and imagining all those goings on at the end of the garden, I could really get a feel for the pure fun and joy that the film will bring. I’ve always loved these charming productions at Christmas and I’m delighted to be voicing the narrator.
- 2/5/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC is once again turning to Oscar-nominated Magic Light Pictures for its latest animation special. The studio behind The Gruffalo will bring Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s book Superworm to life with a cast including Olivia Colman and Matt Smith.
Colman will narrate, while Smith will feature as hero Superworm. They are joined by Patricia Allison (Sex Education) as Butterfly, and Rob Brydon (Gavin & Stacey) as the Crow.
Super-long and super-strong, Superworm is always on hand to help out other animals and insects, but when he is kidnapped by wicked Wizard Lizard and sidekick The Crow, his friend Butterfly must come to the rescue.
Superworm is directed by Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman, from a script by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang. The producer is Barney Goodland, with executive producers Martin Pope and Michael Rose for Magic Light. The composer is Rene Aubry, while animation services are provided by Blue Zoo Animation Studio.
Colman will narrate, while Smith will feature as hero Superworm. They are joined by Patricia Allison (Sex Education) as Butterfly, and Rob Brydon (Gavin & Stacey) as the Crow.
Super-long and super-strong, Superworm is always on hand to help out other animals and insects, but when he is kidnapped by wicked Wizard Lizard and sidekick The Crow, his friend Butterfly must come to the rescue.
Superworm is directed by Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman, from a script by Max Lang and Suzanne Lang. The producer is Barney Goodland, with executive producers Martin Pope and Michael Rose for Magic Light. The composer is Rene Aubry, while animation services are provided by Blue Zoo Animation Studio.
- 2/5/2021
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Throughout their careers in animation, directors Max Lang and Daniel Snaddon have maintained a strong collaborative relationship with children’s book author Julia Donaldson. After bringing four of her works to the screen—two of which garnered Oscar nominations—they return to the awards conversation this year with The Snail and the Whale, adapting a book written by Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, which Lang had long been eyeing.
Featuring the voices of Sally Hawkins, Rob Byrdon, and the late Dame Diana Rigg, who serves as narrator, Magic Light Pictures’ animated short tells the story of a snail that strikes up an unlikely friendship with a humpback whale, situating herself on his tail and joining him on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
While each Donaldson adaptation has presented its own singular tone and world, and come with its set of challenges, The Snail and the Whale was by far the most...
Featuring the voices of Sally Hawkins, Rob Byrdon, and the late Dame Diana Rigg, who serves as narrator, Magic Light Pictures’ animated short tells the story of a snail that strikes up an unlikely friendship with a humpback whale, situating herself on his tail and joining him on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
While each Donaldson adaptation has presented its own singular tone and world, and come with its set of challenges, The Snail and the Whale was by far the most...
- 1/25/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
For one magical month, Michelle Obama will host an online series in which she reads children’s books out loud every Monday. Mondays With Michelle Obama, in partnership with Penguin Young Readers, Random House Children’s Books and PBS Kids, will kick off on April 20th and conclude on May 11th.
The former First Lady will begin by reading The Gruffalo, a 1999 book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler that tells the story of a mouse walking through the woods.
“As a little kid, I loved to read aloud,...
The former First Lady will begin by reading The Gruffalo, a 1999 book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler that tells the story of a mouse walking through the woods.
“As a little kid, I loved to read aloud,...
- 4/20/2020
- by Angie Martoccio
- Rollingstone.com
Ludo Studio’s Bluey has won the International Emmy Kids Award for best preschool program, Ludo’s third Emmy.
“We’re so proud of (creator) Joe Brumm and the whole gang of beautiful artists at Ludo,” said Ludo Studio’s Daley Pearson.
“They’ve created a beautiful show celebrating one of the most important things: imagination and game play. Bluey’s created a special connection to people around the world and it’s a real privilege to be creating the show under one roof in Brisbane with our friends.
“It’s also been a secret dream of ours to create a bit of an industry in Brisbane that competes with the world. We’ve spent the last few years laying the first bricks down with Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, the ABC and BBC Studios and we’re excited to see what’s next together.”
The Queensland-based studio previously won International...
“We’re so proud of (creator) Joe Brumm and the whole gang of beautiful artists at Ludo,” said Ludo Studio’s Daley Pearson.
“They’ve created a beautiful show celebrating one of the most important things: imagination and game play. Bluey’s created a special connection to people around the world and it’s a real privilege to be creating the show under one roof in Brisbane with our friends.
“It’s also been a secret dream of ours to create a bit of an industry in Brisbane that competes with the world. We’ve spent the last few years laying the first bricks down with Screen Australia, Screen Queensland, the ABC and BBC Studios and we’re excited to see what’s next together.”
The Queensland-based studio previously won International...
- 3/31/2020
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
A record 92 animated short films have qualified for the 92nd Academy Awards, a list that will be winnowed to 10 contenders when shortlist is announced Dec. 16. Alongside entries such as Sony’s “Hair Love” and Magic Light Pictures’ “Zog,” challengers include lauded films from animators such as Tomek Popakul’s “Acid Rain,” Siqi Song’s “Sister” and Theodore Ushev’s “The Physics of Sorrow.” Ranging from studio darlings to festival gems, the diversity of projects in the category makes for a somewhat unpredictable race, yet each year a handful of shorts float to the top, generating awards season buzz.
1. Curse of the Monkeybird (Warner Bros.)
Director: Pete Browngardt
Producers: Pete Browngardt, Sam Register
The slapstick “Indiana Jones”-inspired 2D short features classic Looney Tunes characters searching for a cursed treasure inside a jungle temple. “It was a dream come true to be able to write and direct a Porky Pig and Daffy Duck cartoon from scratch,...
1. Curse of the Monkeybird (Warner Bros.)
Director: Pete Browngardt
Producers: Pete Browngardt, Sam Register
The slapstick “Indiana Jones”-inspired 2D short features classic Looney Tunes characters searching for a cursed treasure inside a jungle temple. “It was a dream come true to be able to write and direct a Porky Pig and Daffy Duck cartoon from scratch,...
- 12/4/2019
- by Jennifer Wolfe
- Variety Film + TV
An Oscar nominee and BAFTA winner known for animated shorts including The Gruffalo and Room on the Broom, Max Lang joined forces with Daniel Snaddon on his latest short, Zog, based on a children’s book by Julia Donaldson.
Coming to the project, neither director was a stranger to the works of Donaldson. While Lang had adapted the author’s books for the shorts mentioned above, Snaddon had co-directed Stick Man, also based on Donaldson’s work. Meeting the author over a decade ago, Lang initially found her to be “very, very careful,” in terms of the way in which she’d allow her works to be used. “She didn’t want her story to be changed, or adapted to a bigger movie that wouldn’t stay true to the words, the lyrics, the story, the rhyme. It was really crucial for her in the initial stage, with The Gruffalo,...
Coming to the project, neither director was a stranger to the works of Donaldson. While Lang had adapted the author’s books for the shorts mentioned above, Snaddon had co-directed Stick Man, also based on Donaldson’s work. Meeting the author over a decade ago, Lang initially found her to be “very, very careful,” in terms of the way in which she’d allow her works to be used. “She didn’t want her story to be changed, or adapted to a bigger movie that wouldn’t stay true to the words, the lyrics, the story, the rhyme. It was really crucial for her in the initial stage, with The Gruffalo,...
- 11/5/2019
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Sally Hawkins (Paddington), Rob Brydon (Gavin & Stacey) and Diana Rigg (Game of Thrones) are lending their voices to BBC One and Zdf Christmas special The Snail And The Whale.
UK production outfit Magic Light Pictures is behind the well-sold book adaptation about the epic journey of a tiny snail who longs to see the world and manages to hitch a ride on the tail of a huge humpback whale. Hawkins will voice the snail, Brydon the whale and Rigg will be the narrator.
Written in 2003 by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, creators of the hit children’s book and TV adaptation The Gruffalo, the picture book is published by Macmillan Children’s Books.
The half-hour kids’ content was acquired for BBC One by Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, and Tommy Bulfin, Commissioning Editor, BBC. It is directed by acclaimed animation directors Max Lang and Daniel Snaddon who...
UK production outfit Magic Light Pictures is behind the well-sold book adaptation about the epic journey of a tiny snail who longs to see the world and manages to hitch a ride on the tail of a huge humpback whale. Hawkins will voice the snail, Brydon the whale and Rigg will be the narrator.
Written in 2003 by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, creators of the hit children’s book and TV adaptation The Gruffalo, the picture book is published by Macmillan Children’s Books.
The half-hour kids’ content was acquired for BBC One by Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, and Tommy Bulfin, Commissioning Editor, BBC. It is directed by acclaimed animation directors Max Lang and Daniel Snaddon who...
- 9/20/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Annecy — At Annecy to talk audiences through “Zog,” the latest in a line of hugely popular of painstakingly crafted half-hour films for the BBC and Zdf whose lineage stretches back through “Revolting Rhymes” to the “The Gruffalo,” London-based Magic Light Pictures has confirmed a swathe of sales on its upcoming half-hour, “The Snail and the Whale.”
The film will premiere in the U.K. on BBC1 as a highlight of its Christmas schedule in 2019. Alongside core partner Zdf in Germany, further confirmed pre-sales include France Televisions; Svt (Sweden), Dr (Denmark), Rte (Ireland), ABC (Australia), Showmax (Africa), Czech Television, Noga in Israel; Vpro in the Netherlands; and Slovenia’s Rtv.
“The Snail and the Whale” will also be released in cinemas in France next year by Les Films Du Preau.
Described as a delightful tale of adventure and friendship, “The Snail and the Whale” follows the amazing journey of a tiny...
The film will premiere in the U.K. on BBC1 as a highlight of its Christmas schedule in 2019. Alongside core partner Zdf in Germany, further confirmed pre-sales include France Televisions; Svt (Sweden), Dr (Denmark), Rte (Ireland), ABC (Australia), Showmax (Africa), Czech Television, Noga in Israel; Vpro in the Netherlands; and Slovenia’s Rtv.
“The Snail and the Whale” will also be released in cinemas in France next year by Les Films Du Preau.
Described as a delightful tale of adventure and friendship, “The Snail and the Whale” follows the amazing journey of a tiny...
- 6/12/2019
- by John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Thandie Newton, Dark Knight director Christopher Nolan, His Dark Materials author Philip Pullman and Hotel Rwanda star Sophie Okonedo are among the Brits to pick up a prestigious award as part of the New Year Honours List.
The distinguished awards are handed out once a year and recognize the outstanding achievements of 1,148 people across the United Kingdom.
CBEs – Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire – have been awarded to Nolan, for services to film, Okonedo, who is set to star as Lady Hatton in the forthcoming Hellboy movie, as well as Channel 4 drama Chimerica, children’s author Julia Donaldson, who created The Gruffalo, while Westworld star Newton has picked up an OBE, as has Downton Abbey star Jim Carter, who said that he was “particularly delighted this honour came in time to share with my mum, Molly, who is 99 and she was thrilled, she lit up at the news,...
The distinguished awards are handed out once a year and recognize the outstanding achievements of 1,148 people across the United Kingdom.
CBEs – Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire – have been awarded to Nolan, for services to film, Okonedo, who is set to star as Lady Hatton in the forthcoming Hellboy movie, as well as Channel 4 drama Chimerica, children’s author Julia Donaldson, who created The Gruffalo, while Westworld star Newton has picked up an OBE, as has Downton Abbey star Jim Carter, who said that he was “particularly delighted this honour came in time to share with my mum, Molly, who is 99 and she was thrilled, she lit up at the news,...
- 12/28/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The classic children’s tale The Velveteen Rabbit is getting a new TV adaptation that will feature a mix of live-action and animation.
The series is being developed by Tom Bidwell, who recently worked on the series adaptation of Watership Down for BBC and Netflix. He’s also teamed up with Magic Light Pictures, who has worked on animated specials that include adaptations of Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes and several of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s books, including The Gruffalo, Stick Man, and Zog.
The Velveteen Rabbit was written by Margery Williams , and the classic 1922 story centers on a boy and his beloved toy rabbit.
At first a brand-new toy, now a threadbare and discarded nursery relic, the velveteen rabbit is saved from peril by a magic fairy who whisks him away to the idyllic world of Rabbitland. There, he becomes "Real," a cherished childhood companion who will be loved for eternity.
The series is being developed by Tom Bidwell, who recently worked on the series adaptation of Watership Down for BBC and Netflix. He’s also teamed up with Magic Light Pictures, who has worked on animated specials that include adaptations of Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes and several of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s books, including The Gruffalo, Stick Man, and Zog.
The Velveteen Rabbit was written by Margery Williams , and the classic 1922 story centers on a boy and his beloved toy rabbit.
At first a brand-new toy, now a threadbare and discarded nursery relic, the velveteen rabbit is saved from peril by a magic fairy who whisks him away to the idyllic world of Rabbitland. There, he becomes "Real," a cherished childhood companion who will be loved for eternity.
- 12/14/2018
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
The writer of upcoming BBC and Netflix series “Watership Down” and the producers behind hit animated specials including “The Gruffalo” are adapting the classic children’s tale “The Velveteen Rabbit” for TV. Magic Light Pictures and Tom Bidwell are in development on the project and already talking to broadcasters.
For U.K.-based Magic Light, it will mark a move into a hybrid style of live-action and animation. Its previous animated specials include popular adaptations of Roald Dahl’s “Revolting Rhymes” and several of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s books, including “The Gruffalo,” “Stick Man,” and “Zog,” which will be a highlight of the BBC’s 2018 Christmas schedule in the U.K.
Bidwell is the creator of the BAFTA- and International Emmy-nominated “My Mad Fat Diary” and the Oscar-nominated short “Wish 143.” He comes to “The Velveteen Rabbit” project off the back of a BAFTA win for his work on Cbbc series “Katy.
For U.K.-based Magic Light, it will mark a move into a hybrid style of live-action and animation. Its previous animated specials include popular adaptations of Roald Dahl’s “Revolting Rhymes” and several of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s books, including “The Gruffalo,” “Stick Man,” and “Zog,” which will be a highlight of the BBC’s 2018 Christmas schedule in the U.K.
Bidwell is the creator of the BAFTA- and International Emmy-nominated “My Mad Fat Diary” and the Oscar-nominated short “Wish 143.” He comes to “The Velveteen Rabbit” project off the back of a BAFTA win for his work on Cbbc series “Katy.
- 12/13/2018
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Game of Thrones star Kit Harington is to lend his voice for a forthcoming adaptation of kids’ book Zog from the team behind The Gruffalo.
The British actor will voice the character of Sir Gadabout in the one-off animated special, which will air on BBC One at Christmas. He is joined by Sir Lenny Henry, who narrates, Tracey Ullman, who voices Madame Dragon, W1A’s Hugh Skinner as Zog and Jamestown’s Patsy Ferran as Princess Pearl.
The special is based on the character written by The Gruffalo creators Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler and will be produced by Magic Light Pictures, which adapted that into a BBC hit.
Zog is a keen but accident-prone dragon who gets himself into mischief whilst learning how to fly, roar, breathe fire and fight knights in his first four years at dragon school. Each year he meets a kindly young girl who...
The British actor will voice the character of Sir Gadabout in the one-off animated special, which will air on BBC One at Christmas. He is joined by Sir Lenny Henry, who narrates, Tracey Ullman, who voices Madame Dragon, W1A’s Hugh Skinner as Zog and Jamestown’s Patsy Ferran as Princess Pearl.
The special is based on the character written by The Gruffalo creators Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler and will be produced by Magic Light Pictures, which adapted that into a BBC hit.
Zog is a keen but accident-prone dragon who gets himself into mischief whilst learning how to fly, roar, breathe fire and fight knights in his first four years at dragon school. Each year he meets a kindly young girl who...
- 10/10/2018
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Annecy, France — The prizes have yet to be awarded, and we aren’t making the case the below-mentioned series are surefire winners. Nor were they chosen in any effort towards ranking. Rather, the five TV films, chosen from 23 competing at Annecy, were selected in an effort to represent the competition as a whole, its diverse pool of submitting countries and the range in audience demographics for the represented entries.
‘B: The Beginning’
Another big bet on anime by Netflix, partnering with animation studio I.G. and co-directed by another Japanese legend, Kazuto Nakazawa, responsible for the animated sequences of “Kill Bill: Vol 1.” Two tales in one, in a noirish psychological thriller, with echoes of “7even,” narcoleptic genius Keith Kazama Flick returns to service at the Royal Investigation Service of Cremona to hunt down a serial killer who murders vicious criminals. Their death, and Keith’s troubled past, has something to do with Koku,...
‘B: The Beginning’
Another big bet on anime by Netflix, partnering with animation studio I.G. and co-directed by another Japanese legend, Kazuto Nakazawa, responsible for the animated sequences of “Kill Bill: Vol 1.” Two tales in one, in a noirish psychological thriller, with echoes of “7even,” narcoleptic genius Keith Kazama Flick returns to service at the Royal Investigation Service of Cremona to hunt down a serial killer who murders vicious criminals. Their death, and Keith’s troubled past, has something to do with Koku,...
- 6/16/2018
- by Jamie Lang and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Annecy, France — The prizes have yet to be awarded, and we aren’t making the case the below-mentioned series are surefire winners. Nor were they chosen in any effort towards ranking. Rather, the five TV films, chosen from 23 competing at Annecy, were selected in an effort to represent the competition as a whole, its diverse pool of submitting countries and the range in audience demographics for the represented entries.
‘B: The Beginning’
Another big bet on anime by Netflix, partnering with animation studio I.G. and co-directed by another Japanese legend, Kazuto Nakazawa, responsible for the animated sequences of “Kill Bill: Vol 1.” Two tales in one, in a noirish psychological thriller, with echoes of “7even,” narcoleptic genius Keith Kazama Flick returns to service at the Royal Investigation Service of Cremona to hunt down a serial killer who murders vicious criminals. Their death, and Keith’s troubled past, has something to do with Koku,...
‘B: The Beginning’
Another big bet on anime by Netflix, partnering with animation studio I.G. and co-directed by another Japanese legend, Kazuto Nakazawa, responsible for the animated sequences of “Kill Bill: Vol 1.” Two tales in one, in a noirish psychological thriller, with echoes of “7even,” narcoleptic genius Keith Kazama Flick returns to service at the Royal Investigation Service of Cremona to hunt down a serial killer who murders vicious criminals. Their death, and Keith’s troubled past, has something to do with Koku,...
- 6/16/2018
- by Jamie Lang and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Cinema Management Group concludes raft of pre-sales.
Annecy-bound South African animation house Triggerfish Animation Studios has begun production on the action-comedy Seal Team, which Edward Noeltner’s Cinema Management Group (Cmg) has licensed in a raft of pre-sales.
Triggerfish and Cmg partnered on Adventures In Zambezia (2012) and 2013 Annecy International Animated Film Festival contender Khumba, two of the highest grossing South African productions of all time with combined worldwide box office exceeding $50m.
Cape Town-based Triggerfish has a strong presence at this year’s Annecy (June 11-16), where its short film Belly Flop will receive its world premiere screening at the closing ceremony,...
Annecy-bound South African animation house Triggerfish Animation Studios has begun production on the action-comedy Seal Team, which Edward Noeltner’s Cinema Management Group (Cmg) has licensed in a raft of pre-sales.
Triggerfish and Cmg partnered on Adventures In Zambezia (2012) and 2013 Annecy International Animated Film Festival contender Khumba, two of the highest grossing South African productions of all time with combined worldwide box office exceeding $50m.
Cape Town-based Triggerfish has a strong presence at this year’s Annecy (June 11-16), where its short film Belly Flop will receive its world premiere screening at the closing ceremony,...
- 6/1/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
South Africa’s Triggerfish Animation Studios has begun production on its third animated feature, “Seal Team,” which the toon powerhouse will announce as part of a packed slate at the Annecy Int’l. Animation Film Festival, where it has a TV film in competition and will screen a short, “Belly Flop,” during the fest’s closing ceremony.
Blazing on the red-hot heels of its latest award-winning collaboration with the U.K.’s Magic Light Pictures, the Cape Town-based studio is going back to the successful feature-length formula that turned its first two films, “Adventures in Zambezia” (2012) and “Khumba” (2013), into two of the five top-grossing South African movies of all time.
“We’re delighted to be returning to our own IP after honing our skills on Magic Light Pictures’ BBC Christmas specials, like the Oscar-nominated ‘Revolting Rhymes,’” says Triggerfish’s head of development, Anthony Silverston.
The action-comedy “Seal Team” is the story of an orphan seal,...
Blazing on the red-hot heels of its latest award-winning collaboration with the U.K.’s Magic Light Pictures, the Cape Town-based studio is going back to the successful feature-length formula that turned its first two films, “Adventures in Zambezia” (2012) and “Khumba” (2013), into two of the five top-grossing South African movies of all time.
“We’re delighted to be returning to our own IP after honing our skills on Magic Light Pictures’ BBC Christmas specials, like the Oscar-nominated ‘Revolting Rhymes,’” says Triggerfish’s head of development, Anthony Silverston.
The action-comedy “Seal Team” is the story of an orphan seal,...
- 5/31/2018
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Jennifer Garner's "Books With Birdie" has returned!
The 45-year-old actress took to Instagram on Friday to share another episode of her Instagram series, in which she reads books to her adorable golden retriever.
"There are so many festive Christmas books to put a jingle in your giddy up," Garner captioned the video, in which a Santa hat-wearing Birdie is sweetly more concerned with catching Zzz's than listening to her mom's stories.
The mother of three also shared a message with her fans on her Instagram Story, documenting the emotional moment she received her "favorite Christmas present of the year."
There are so many festive Christmas books to put a jingle in your giddy up.
The 45-year-old actress took to Instagram on Friday to share another episode of her Instagram series, in which she reads books to her adorable golden retriever.
"There are so many festive Christmas books to put a jingle in your giddy up," Garner captioned the video, in which a Santa hat-wearing Birdie is sweetly more concerned with catching Zzz's than listening to her mom's stories.
The mother of three also shared a message with her fans on her Instagram Story, documenting the emotional moment she received her "favorite Christmas present of the year."
There are so many festive Christmas books to put a jingle in your giddy up.
- 12/22/2017
- Entertainment Tonight
Louisa Mellor Dec 13, 2017
We’ve taken a highlighter to this year’s Christmas and New Year TV schedules and circled what we’ll be watching this festive season…
Amid the cosy repeats and cranberry-stuffed cookery shows on TV over the next few weeks are a few gems. There’s no Sherlock or Charlie Brooker’s TV Wipe this year, but there are plenty of treats, not least the return of The League Of Gentlemen for a three-part anniversary series and Peter Capaldi’s last hurrah in the Tardis in the Doctor Who Christmas episode.
See related 26 new TV shows to watch in 2017
Over on Netflix, six new episodes of Black Mirror are coming to usher in the New Year, two days into which we welcome the return of Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton’s genius anthology Inside No. 9.
Not to gloss over a spooky M.R. James night on BBC Four,...
We’ve taken a highlighter to this year’s Christmas and New Year TV schedules and circled what we’ll be watching this festive season…
Amid the cosy repeats and cranberry-stuffed cookery shows on TV over the next few weeks are a few gems. There’s no Sherlock or Charlie Brooker’s TV Wipe this year, but there are plenty of treats, not least the return of The League Of Gentlemen for a three-part anniversary series and Peter Capaldi’s last hurrah in the Tardis in the Doctor Who Christmas episode.
See related 26 new TV shows to watch in 2017
Over on Netflix, six new episodes of Black Mirror are coming to usher in the New Year, two days into which we welcome the return of Reece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton’s genius anthology Inside No. 9.
Not to gloss over a spooky M.R. James night on BBC Four,...
- 12/12/2017
- Den of Geek
Louisa Mellor Nov 28, 2017
Here's a pick of the BBC's drama and comedy for this Christmas, including Doctor Who and The League Of Gentlemen...
Get ready to mentally circle a few items in the festive TV planner; the BBC has officially announced its Christmas 2017 line-up.
See related Dark Universe: the undignified death of a cinematic universe
Our priorities first: Peter Capaldi’s outgoing Doctor Who episode in the leading role, Twice Upon A Time. The episode is written by Steven Moffat, directed by Rachel Talalay and stars Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, Mark Gatiss and David Bradley.
According to the official synopsis, Twice Upon A Time will see Twelve and Bill “team up with the first ever Doctor to battle the enchanted glass people before he regenerates into the 13th Doctor”. Expect that to air on December the 25th as usual (we’ll confirm the time as soon as it’s announced).
Next up are three (hooray!
Here's a pick of the BBC's drama and comedy for this Christmas, including Doctor Who and The League Of Gentlemen...
Get ready to mentally circle a few items in the festive TV planner; the BBC has officially announced its Christmas 2017 line-up.
See related Dark Universe: the undignified death of a cinematic universe
Our priorities first: Peter Capaldi’s outgoing Doctor Who episode in the leading role, Twice Upon A Time. The episode is written by Steven Moffat, directed by Rachel Talalay and stars Capaldi, Pearl Mackie, Mark Gatiss and David Bradley.
According to the official synopsis, Twice Upon A Time will see Twelve and Bill “team up with the first ever Doctor to battle the enchanted glass people before he regenerates into the 13th Doctor”. Expect that to air on December the 25th as usual (we’ll confirm the time as soon as it’s announced).
Next up are three (hooray!
- 11/27/2017
- Den of Geek
Ratings boards have assigned 12A and PG-13 ratings to Jj Abrams’s highly anticipated forthcoming movie. But is the new episode really any scarier than The Empire Strikes Back?
Sam is three, and is the inheritor of a fascination with all things Star Wars that now stretches back three generations. My dad took me to see The Empire Strikes Back in 1982 (I think), at the age of about seven, and I’ve had the bug ever since.
I first screened the original Star Wars trilogy for Sam when he was still a baby. He has seen all three of George Lucas’s films at least four or five times – he has never seen the awful prequels – and they are second only to Marvel’s superhero brigade and DC’s Batman in his heart. He’s already worked out that Star Wars stories are much more exciting than Julia Donaldson tales,...
Sam is three, and is the inheritor of a fascination with all things Star Wars that now stretches back three generations. My dad took me to see The Empire Strikes Back in 1982 (I think), at the age of about seven, and I’ve had the bug ever since.
I first screened the original Star Wars trilogy for Sam when he was still a baby. He has seen all three of George Lucas’s films at least four or five times – he has never seen the awful prequels – and they are second only to Marvel’s superhero brigade and DC’s Batman in his heart. He’s already worked out that Star Wars stories are much more exciting than Julia Donaldson tales,...
- 12/11/2015
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Mark Harrison Dec 24, 2016
A Christmas treat from 1995: but does anyone else remember The Forgotten Toys?
Over the years, British animation has given us a few good television specials in the Christmas season, including classic cartoons like The Snowman, stop-motion treats like Wallace & Gromit and more recent CG-animated Julia Donaldson adaptations like The Gruffalo and the upcoming Stick Man.
See related Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch plays down talk of show ending Sherlock series 3: 111 things we learned from the special edition DVDs Sherlock: The Abominable Bride review
A lot of these specials enjoy annual exposure in the Christmas telly schedules, winning over different generations of viewers. Ironically, a less remembered special is The Forgotten Toys, which first aired on Children's ITV on Boxing Day in 1995. Directed by Graham Ralph, the original half-hour special is adapted from James Stevenson's The Night After Christmas, starting with two toys waking up...
A Christmas treat from 1995: but does anyone else remember The Forgotten Toys?
Over the years, British animation has given us a few good television specials in the Christmas season, including classic cartoons like The Snowman, stop-motion treats like Wallace & Gromit and more recent CG-animated Julia Donaldson adaptations like The Gruffalo and the upcoming Stick Man.
See related Sherlock: Benedict Cumberbatch plays down talk of show ending Sherlock series 3: 111 things we learned from the special edition DVDs Sherlock: The Abominable Bride review
A lot of these specials enjoy annual exposure in the Christmas telly schedules, winning over different generations of viewers. Ironically, a less remembered special is The Forgotten Toys, which first aired on Children's ITV on Boxing Day in 1995. Directed by Graham Ralph, the original half-hour special is adapted from James Stevenson's The Night After Christmas, starting with two toys waking up...
- 12/9/2015
- Den of Geek
Martin Freeman will lead an all-star cast in BBC One's Christmas animation Stick Man.
The Fargo actor will join Hugh Bonneville in the adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's 2008 children's book.
Jennifer Saunders, Russell Tovey, Rob Brydon and Sally Hawkins will also lend their voice talents to the programme.
Stick Man follows the father of a family of sticks, who crosses great distances to try and get home in time for Christmas.
Freeman said "What a treat to have voiced the hero in this beautifully animated film. We enjoyed reading Stick Man as a family for a number of years and my children always loved the scale of his epic journey.
"Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's books are simply wonderful and the film adaptations bring their own extra magic. This one is going to be really special though, filled with festive charm and a delight for viewers of all ages!
The Fargo actor will join Hugh Bonneville in the adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's 2008 children's book.
Jennifer Saunders, Russell Tovey, Rob Brydon and Sally Hawkins will also lend their voice talents to the programme.
Stick Man follows the father of a family of sticks, who crosses great distances to try and get home in time for Christmas.
Freeman said "What a treat to have voiced the hero in this beautifully animated film. We enjoyed reading Stick Man as a family for a number of years and my children always loved the scale of his epic journey.
"Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's books are simply wonderful and the film adaptations bring their own extra magic. This one is going to be really special though, filled with festive charm and a delight for viewers of all ages!
- 10/6/2015
- Digital Spy
The BBC has announced its upcoming new drama series for 2015.
Head of Drama Ben Stephenson revealed at an event last night (November 19) that several new dramas will be shown next year, along with the previously announced SS-gb, The Dresser, Undercover, and the return of Top of the Lake and a new Luther miniseries.
One of Us will be a modern thriller set in the Scottish Highlands and Edinburgh, and is written by The Missing's Harry and Jack Williams.
The four-part series revolves around a double murder which shatters two families living next to each other, and focuses on the relatives as they grieve their losses and deal with the consequences.
The writers said: "We're excited to be telling a modern-day parable that explores big themes and ideas through the lens of a very personal, character-driven story".
Cuffs will be an eight-part cop drama from Julie Gearey (Prisoners' Wives), airing on BBC One.
Head of Drama Ben Stephenson revealed at an event last night (November 19) that several new dramas will be shown next year, along with the previously announced SS-gb, The Dresser, Undercover, and the return of Top of the Lake and a new Luther miniseries.
One of Us will be a modern thriller set in the Scottish Highlands and Edinburgh, and is written by The Missing's Harry and Jack Williams.
The four-part series revolves around a double murder which shatters two families living next to each other, and focuses on the relatives as they grieve their losses and deal with the consequences.
The writers said: "We're excited to be telling a modern-day parable that explores big themes and ideas through the lens of a very personal, character-driven story".
Cuffs will be an eight-part cop drama from Julie Gearey (Prisoners' Wives), airing on BBC One.
- 11/20/2014
- Digital Spy
Room on the Broom earned an animated short Oscar nomination by combining clever characters and an inventive look with a story based on the popular children's book of the same name, written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. It also brought together a voice cast including Gillian Anderson, Rob Brydon, Martin Clunes, Simon Pegg, Timothy Spall, David Walliams and Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine). Photos: 2014 Oscar Nominees Directed by Max Lang (who previously earned an Oscar nomination for 2009 animated short The Gruffalo) and Jan Lachauer, the film has already been honored with a Cristal award
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- 1/22/2014
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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