Rob Brydon,Jessica Hynes, Alison Steadman, Nick Mohammed, Nina Sosanya and Bill Bailey start filming

A raft of British comedy stars has joined the cast of a new family film inspired by the true story of when a six-year-old Roald Dahl met his idol Beatrix Potter.

Joining Dawn French, who was previously announced as playing the Peter Rabbit creator, are Jessica Hynes, Rob Brydon, Alison Steadman, Nick Mohammed, Nina Sosanya and Bill Bailey.

Brydon will play Potter’s long-suffering husband, William, and Sosanya is her publisher, hounding her for her next draft. Mohammed is the author’s optometrist, who tells her she has  failing eyesight, while Haynes plays Sophie, the mother of six-year-old Roald (to be played by Harry Tayler).

Sky – which will broadcast Roald & Beatrix, The Tail Of The Curious Mouse this Christmas – says that Sophie and Roald’s ‘extraordinary journey  is filled with unpredictable and humorous characters’, played by Steadman and Bailey.

Filming on the 90-minute comedy-drama, which mixes live action, stop-frame animation and puppetry, starts today on location in Wales and at Seren Studios in Cardiff.

It has been written by Abi Wilson – whose credits include Urban Myths, Trollied and Jam and Jerusalem – and narrated by John Hannah.

Elaine Cameron, who is producing the film for Hartswood Films, said: ‘This film follows a joyous and magical journey involving two of Britain’s most loved children’s authors. As filmmakers in the middle of a world-wide pandemic, we are similarly embarking on a journey – quite unlike anything any of us have ever experienced. 

‘The optimism and resilience of the cast and crew and the bravery of Sky to back us to the hilt, is as inspiring to me as a producer as the story itself. We are delighted that Abi’s wonderful writing has attracted such a stunningly funny cast.’

Made by: Hartswood Films for Sky Studios
Written by: Abi Wilson
Directed by: David Kerr
Music scored by:  Murray Gold Produced by: Elaine Cameron
Commissioned by: Jon Mountague, Sky Studios’ director of comedy and Zai Bennett, Sky’s managing director of content.
Executive producers: Sue Vertue, Abi Wilson and Dan Cheesbrough for Hartswood Films and Jon Mountague for Sky Studios.

Published: 24 Aug 2020