Netflix and the BBC are teaming on a blockbuster adaptation of the classic novel Watership Down. The four-part animated miniseries is the brainchild of dynamic Brit production-management banner 42. The series will premiere on BBC One in the UK and internationally on Netflix. An A-list collection of talent has been assembled for the project including Star Wars: The Force Awakens‘ John Boyega, James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult, Ben Kingsley and Gemma Arterton.
The new series is written by Tom Bidwell (My Mad Fat Diary) and directed by Noam Murro (300: Rise Of The Empire). It will be a co-production between BBC One and Netflix and produced by 42 and Murro’s bannner Biscuit Films.
“Before there was Harry Potter there was Watership Down, Richard Adams’ novel is one of the most successful books of all time and one of the biggest-selling books in history,” said Matthew Read, BBC Drama Commissioning Editor. “It is fantastic to have the opportunity to bring a modern classic to a mainstream BBC One audience with such an incredible roster of actors alongside the talented team overseeing the animation. This fantastic take on the novel will unite the whole family, and bring this classic story to a new generation.”
“Adapting this much-loved novel in a fresh and innovative way is a truly exciting opportunity,” added 42 co-founder and exec producer Aitken. “Telling the story over four hours of CG animation allows us to explore the characters from the novel and their adventure in a way not previously achievable on screen.”
The drama is co-directed by Pete Dodd (Fantastic Mr Fox), produced by Hugo Sands, and the CG animation team will be led by with Dublin-based animation studio Brown Bag Films. It will be distributed internationally by ITV Studios Global Entertainment, with whom 42 has a first-look and overhead deal. Aitken, Josh Varney, Ben Pugh and Eleanor Moran exec produce for 42; Murro for Biscuit Films and Read for BBC.
Source:
https://deadline.com/2016/04/watership- ... 201745167/
A Private War star Rosamund Pike, Doctor Who’s Peter Capaldi, Crazy Rich Asians’ Gemma Chan and Kingsman’s Taron Egerton have joined the voice cast of the BBC and Netflix’s adaptation of Watership Down. It comes as the first images of the show are revealed. The quartet join the likes of James McAvoy, Daniel Kaluuya, Nicholas Hoult, Ben Kingsley, John Boyega and Gemma Arterton, which is produced by 42 and Biscuit Entertainment. Pike will play The Black Rabbit Of Inlé, Capaldi plays seagull Kehaar, Egerton joins as El-Ahrairah and Chan plays Dewdrop. Elsewhere, Miles Jupp, Freddie Fox, Mackenzie Crook, Olivia Colman, Anne-Marie Duff, Rory Kinnear, Tom Wilkinson, Jason Watkins, Craig Parkinson, Henry Goodman, Lee Ingleby, Charlotte Spencer and Daniel Rigby round out the A-list cast.
Adapted for the screen by Tom Bidwell (My Mad Fat Diary), Watership Down uses Richard Adams’ bestselling novel as its source to bring a new interpretation to the beloved story. It will air as two special feature-length episodes on BBC One at Christmas and will run globally on Netflix. Executive producers are Rory Aitken, Josh Varney, Ben Pugh and Eleanor Moran for 42; Noam Murro for Biscuit Entertainment; Martin Rosen; and Ben Irving for BBC One. The series is co-directed by Alan Short and Seamus Malone and produced by Georgia Dussaud and Cecil Kramer.
British pop star Sam Smith has also written an original song "Fire on Fire" that will serve as the theme tune. It was co-written with Steve Mac and was recorded with the BBC Concert Orchestra at London’s Abbey Road Studios in September 2018.
Rory Aitken and Josh Varney, Executive Producers for 42 said, “We’re thrilled to be collaborating with Sam – his stunning track resonates deeply with the themes of the show. We’re bowled over by the talent involved in the mini series, both on screen and off; it’s a labour of love to adapt such a deeply moving and important book, and we’re incredibly excited to be bringing the show to television audiences this Christmas.”
Ben Irving, Executive Producer for BBC One added, “It’s a real testament to the calibre of this adaptation of Watership Down that it has attracted such an exciting roll call of names to bring these much loved characters to life. Now – in Sam Smith – we have one of the world’s most successful recording artists, with the perfect new song to serve as the series’ theme. BBC One viewers are in for a treat this Christmas.”
Source:
https://deadline.com/2018/11/watership- ... 202493746/
