BBC unveils first look at Julia Donaldson Christmas animation The Baddies - with Gavin & Stacey icons

The BBC has unveiled a first-look image from The Baddies, a half-hour festive animation based on the picture book by Dame Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

The fairytale comedy follows a Troll, a Witch and a Ghost who proclaim themselves the baddest of them all and delight in tormenting everyone they meet.

When they are challenged to steal a girl's blue spotty hanky, they discover they may have met their match.

The voice cast includes three Gavin & Stacey alumni, in the form of Sheridan Smith (narrator), Alison Steadman (the Witch) and Rob Brydon (the Ghost).

Meanwhile, Saturday Night Live UK and Black Ops breakout star Hammed Animashaun co-stars as the Troll, completing the eponymous trio of Baddies.

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The remaining voice cast includes Robyn Cara (Bodkin) as the Girl, who proves to be such a challenge, and Francesca Mills (Harlots) as Mouse.

The Baddies follows last year's Donaldson adaptation, The Scarecrows' Wedding, which was watched by 8.7 million viewers across its first 28 days, according to BARB figures.

Brydon is clearly a big admirer of the legendary children's author, with this being the 14th Donaldson adaptation to which he has lent his instantly recognisable voice.

Co-star Smith described The Baddies as "deliciously spooky, ridiculously funny, and packed with heart".

She added: "It's a riot of a fairytale that celebrates courage, kindness, and outsmarting the big bullies. Families are going to love the hilarity and chaos this Christmas."

Steadman said she loved "how it flips traditional fairytales on their head".

She explained: "You have these three boastful villains plotting wicked tricks, only to be completely outsmarted by a brave little girl and a mouse. It's such a satisfying, funny tale about kindness quietly beating big bullies."

The Baddies is directed by Andy Martin and Sarah-Jane Knox, and produced by Barney Goodland and Martin Pope of Magic Light Pictures.

The BBC has confirmed a Christmas release for The Baddies, but has not yet announced an exact broadcast date or time. The previous Donaldson and Scheffler adaptations are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

The Baddies is coming soon to BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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Authors

David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.