Hannah Waddingham Narrating Latest Julia Donaldson Christmas Adaptation For BBC

The BBC has landed on some serious star power for its latest Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler Christmas animation, with Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham narrating Tiddler.

Rob Brydon also returns for his 12th Donaldson adaptation, while Lolly Adefope (Saltburn) is abord.

Waddingham will narrate the story about a small grey fish with a big imagination who gets lost in the deep wide ocean, until he’s saved by his own storytelling. His stories are so great that word of mouth helps them travel through the ocean and so, when Tiddler gets lost, he realizes they may help him find a way home.  

Brydon, a veteran of the beloved animations, will play Fisherman, Whale, Starfish and Anchovy, while Adefope is Miss Skate. Jayde Adams, Reuben Kirby and Theo Fraser also star.

The Donaldson and Scheffler adaptations from Magic Light Pictures have become a staple BBC Christmas show, and often top the ratings. Last year’s, Tabby McTat, featured Jodie Whittaker.

“Voicing the narrator for this Christmas special from Magic Light Pictures has been a real joy to record,” said Waddingham. “Tiddler is the tale of the storyteller in all of us, and helps children understand what it’s like to be a small fish in a very big pond.”

Waddingham, who played Rebecca Welton in Apple TV+ smash Ted Lasso, is an in-demand British star whose recent credits include The Garfield Movie, The Fall Guy and Sex Education.