‘Ted Lasso’ Star Narrates ‘Tiddler’ Animated Special for Christmas

‘Ted Lasso’ star Hannah Waddingham will voice the upcoming animated special ‘Tiddler,’ set to premiere this Christmas, as reported by Variety. Produced by the Oscar-nominated Magic Light Pictures, the animation is based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s beloved children’s book of the same name.

Storyline and Cast:

According to the official synopsis, ‘Tiddler’ narrates the tale of a small grey fish with an expansive imagination who gets lost in the vast ocean but is ultimately saved by his storytelling. Waddingham will serve as the narrator for the half-hour special, with Lolly Adefope voicing Miss Skate, Jayde Adams as Plaice, and Rob Brydon taking on multiple roles including the Fisherman, Whale, Starfish, and Anchovy. Child actors Reuben Kirby and Theo Fraser will star as Tiddler and Johnny Dory, respectively.

Plot Summary:

Every day, Tiddler entertains his teacher and his friend Johnny Dory with imaginative tales explaining his lateness to school. His stories range from riding seahorses and exploring shipwrecks to being captured by a squid. When Tiddler gets lost, he realizes his stories might just help him find his way home. The film is described as an underwater adventure that celebrates imagination, self-confidence, and the feeling of being a small fish in a big pond.

Hannah Waddingham’s Statement:

Waddingham expressed her delight at being part of the project, stating, “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 (and we’ve all felt THAT in life!). I have loved reading the books by Julia and Axel to my daughter over the years and it’s so lovely to get to bring one of them to screen in this beautiful animation.”

Production Team:

‘Tiddler’ is the 12th animated special by Magic Light Pictures for the BBC, based on the books by Donaldson and Scheffler. Directed by Andy Martin and Alex Bain from a script by Michael Bohnenstingl, the film is produced by Barney Goodland and Martin Pope for Magic Light.