It’s never too early to start talking about Christmas, right? 

We are still in the month of May, but it’s time to start thinking about Christmas telly. One of the fixtures of the BBC Christmas Day schedule is usually an adaptation of a children’s book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. In fact, The Scarecrows’ Wedding is the 13th such film from animators Magic Light Pictures.

From The Gruffalo to The Highway Rat, Tabby McTat to Tiddler, these animated tales always attract plenty of attention. They also attract a stellar voice cast, which usually includes Rob Brydon in multiple roles.

This year is no different, as Brydon joins Jessie Buckley and Domhnall Gleeson, as well as narrator Sophie Okonedo.

Here’s what to expect at The Scarecrows’ Wedding:

The Scarecrows’ Wedding is an enchanting story about two devoted scarecrows, Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay, who are planning a wedding to remember. When Harry insists on leaving the farm to collect one last thing for their big day, a smooth-talking scarecrow named Reginald Rake swoops in with plans of his own. Chaos follows, and soon Betty’s in danger and everything’s at risk. Can Harry get back in time and save the day? Full of heart, humour and adventure, this is the joyful tale about loyalty, love and learning that the most important thing isn’t a grand gesture – it’s simply being together.

Author Julia Donaldson says:

“The Scarecrows’ Wedding is my favourite of all the books I’ve created with Axel Scheffler, so I’m extra specially pleased that it is to be this year’s animated adaptation from Magic Light Pictures. It’s a love story set on a farm by the sea, and the story contains a lot of comedy and a Hollywood-style villain. (I thought of David Niven when I created that character.) The cast has brought such warmth and playfulness to the characters of Betty and Harry and the various animals, and Reginald Rake played by Rob Brydon is a real cad!”

The directors of The Scarecrows’ Wedding are Samantha Cutler and Jeroen Jaspaert. The producers are Barney Goodland and Micheal Rose of Magic Light Pictures.

You can find Magic Light’s previous adaptations of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s works on BBC iPlayer.

Other Christmas Fare

The BBC aren’t the only ones to unveil their festive goodies. Sky have recently anounced a new original Christmas film starring Kiefer Sutherland and Rebel Wilson.

Tinsel Town sees Sutherland plays Bradley Mack, a failed Hollywood action star who ends up in a small, snow-dusted village to star in the town’s eccentric production of Cinderella. Here, he encounters a colourful cast of oddball locals who slowly come to hold a special place in his heart, including no-nonsense choreographer Jill (Wilson).

There’s an impressive supporting cast, which includes Derek Jacobi, Mawaan Rizwan, Alice Eve, Danny Dyer and Meera Syal. Plus, Katherine Ryan, Maria Friedman, Jason Manford, Asim Chaudhry, Ray Fearon, Lucien Laviscount and James Lance.

Additionaly, Savannah Lee Smith, Matilda Firth and Eden Hamilton appear, alongside Theodora Williams in her on-screen feature debut,

The film’s script comes from Frazer Flintham, Adam Brown and Piers Ashworth with additional material by Jake Brunger. The director is Chris Foggin (Bank of Dave).

Tinsel Town will appear on Sky Cinema for Christmas 2025.