Kids

The BBC and Magic Light Pictures have released a first look at The Baddies, a festive animated special starring Sheridan Smith, Rob Brydon and Alison Steadman, set to arrive on BBC iPlayer and BBC One this Christmas. Based on the picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler, the half-hour comedy follows a Troll, a Witch and a Ghost who proudly declare themselves the baddest of them all. They enjoy tormenting everyone they encounter, until a challenge to steal a little girl’s blue spotty hanky puts their wicked reputations to the test.
The special marks Magic Light Pictures’ 14th animated adaptation of Donaldson and Scheffler’s work. Sheridan Smith (Cilla, The Cage) narrates, with Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey, Pride and Prejudice) voicing Witch, Hammed Animashaun (Black Ops, SNL UK) as Troll, Robyn Cara (Bodkin) as Girl, Francesca Mills (Harlots) as Mouse, and Rob Brydon (The Trip, Would I Lie to You?) returning for his 14th adaptation as the boastful Ghost.

“Being bad has never been so much fun! The Baddies is deliciously spooky, ridiculously funny, and packed with heart. It’s a riot of a fairytale that celebrates courage, kindness, and outsmarting the big bullies - families are going to love the hilarity and chaos this Christmas,” said Sheridan Smith. Alison Steadman added: “What I loved about the story is how it flips traditional fairytales on their head. You have these three boastful villains plotting wicked tricks, only to be completely outsmarted by a brave little girl and a mouse. It’s such a satisfying, funny tale about kindness quietly beating big bullies.”

The Baddies is directed by Andy Martin and Sarah-Jane Knox, and produced by Barney Goodland and Martin Pope for Magic Light Pictures. Nawfal Faizullah, BBC Drama Commissioning Editor, oversees the film for the BBC, with animation services provided by Triggerfish Animation. The announcement follows the success of last year’s The Scarecrows’ Wedding, which attracted 8.7 million viewers across the festive period, according to 28-day BARB figures. It was the UK’s most-watched programme during Christmas week and achieved Magic Light’s highest-ever audience share, at 48.2%. Previous Magic Light adaptations of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s books are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.