BBC One Commissions Festive Animation

BBC One has revealed details of an animated special that will air on the channel this Christmas.

The Highway Rat is based on the 2011 book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler and tells the story of a rat who craves buns and biscuits. As he travels along the highway searching for sugary treats to steal, he discovers that his sweet tooth takes him to a sticky end.

The 1x30' animation will be voiced by an all-star cast, with David Tennant as The Highway Rat, Rob Brydon as the narrator, Nina Sosanya as the Duck, Tom Hollander as the Squirrel and Frances de le Tour as the Rabbit.

The Highway Rat marks the fifth adaptation by Magic Light Pictures of a Donaldson/Scheffler title.

Michael Rose and Martin Pope, Co-Founders, Magic Light Pictures, said: "It's been a privilege adapting Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's wonderful book for the screen. They create worlds rich in story, character and charm, ideal for families to watch together, and huge fun for us to make."

Elizabeth Kilgarriff, Senior Commissioning Editor, BBC Drama, added: "I am delighted that we will be bringing another of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's much loved stories to life on the BBC. Magic Light Pictures have, yet again, woven their wonderful magic to animate the story of The Highway Rat with warmth and wit – and some very recognisable voices."

The Highway Rat is produced by Michael Rose and Martin Pope of Magic Light Pictures and directed by Jeroen Jaspaert. Animation services have been provided by Triggerfish Animation in Cape Town. The composer is René Aubry. Acquired for BBC One by Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, and Elizabeth Kilgarriff, Senior Commissioning Editor, BBC Drama.

Image: BBC Media Centre.

www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre

(JP/MH)