Rob Brydon has been cast in ‘The Snail and the Whale’.
The 54-year-old star will take on the role of the titular mammal in Magic Light Pictures’ upcoming BBC One Christmas special – which is based on Julia Donaldson and illustrator Axel Scheffler’s popular 2003 children’s book of the same name – with Sally Hawkins voicing the snail, and Dame Diana Rigg signing up as the narrator.
Rob – who has starred in all of Magic Light’s programmes – said: "It’s always so wonderful to work with Magic Light on these animated specials for Christmas.
"’The Snail and the Whale’ is a longstanding favourite in our house. It’s an epic journey across the globe, where the tiniest creature and the mightiest mammal experiences the vastness of our planet together."
The picture book – from the duo behind ‘The Gruffalo’ – follows the unlikely pair’s amazing journey when the snail hitches a ride around the world on the whale’s tail.
A press release describes it as a "joyous, empowering story about the natural wonders of the world and discovering that however small you are, you can make a difference".
The upcoming special follows a number of Magic Light festive adaptations over the years, including ‘The Gruffalo’, ‘The Gruffalo’s Child’, ‘Room on the Broom’, ‘Stick Man’, ‘The Highway Rat’, ‘Zog’ and ‘Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes’.
‘The Snail and the Whale’ is directed by Max Lang and and Daniel Snaddon, with Max and Suzanne Lang adapting the story with animation coming from Triggerfish Animation in Cape Town.
Rob Brydon join Snail and the Whale cast
