BBC Nabs 'The Boy, The Mole, The Fox & The Horse' for Christmas 2022

Christmas around the telly is a staple of the UK holiday season. Shows like Doctor Who, The Great British Baking Show, All Creature Great & Small, and Call The Midwife join in the tradition of holiday episodes that air between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. But along with these regular staples, the BBC regularly commissions other new programs to help fill the calendar, like last year's Around The World In 80 Days. For 2022, the channel will bring an adaptation of The Boy, The Mole, The Fox & The Horse, featuring an all-star cast.

Based on the 2019 bestselling illustrated book by Charlie Mackesy, The Boy, The Mole, The Fox & The Horse is conceived as a traditional hand-drawn animated project. The book is rendered in calligraphy and pen and ink drawings typically associated with Shel Silverstein or A.A. Milne. However, unlike the book, which is primarily black and white with occasional watercolor highlights, the new special will be "reimagined in full color," according to the press release.

Author Mackesy will co-direct the animated adaptation along with Peter Baynton, best known for his work as the animation director for Paddington 2, with producer J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions as the company behind the project. Mackesy is also credited with co-adapting the script with Jon Croker (also from Paddington 2.) Isobel Waller-Bridge (Phoebe Waller-Bridge's award-winning sister, best known for Emma) will compose the original score played by the BBC Concert Orchestra.