BBC announces Tabby McTat, a star-studded animation this Christmas

Tabby McTat was the BBC’s beloved Julia Donaldson Christmas animation for 2023 — and with 8.6 million viewers tuning in on Christmas Day, it became one of the most-watched programmes of the entire festive period. The warm, funny story of a busker and his cat, adapted from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture book by Magic Light Pictures, was exactly the kind of joyful, gorgeously animated Christmas special the BBC does better than anyone else. If you missed it on the day, it’s available on BBC iPlayer now — and well worth watching.

The film is adapted from the hugely successful book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler and marks the 11th animated special of their work produced by Magic Light Pictures for the BBC.

Who will star in Tabby McTat Christmas Special?

The film stars Rob Brydon (Gavin and Stacey) as Fred, Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísú (Gangs of London) as Tabby, Cariad Lloyd (Peep Show) as Prunella, Joanna Scanlan (The Thick of It) as Pat, Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who) as the narrator, and Susan Wokoma (Enola Holmes) as Sock. Animation services are provided by Red Star Studio.

What is the Festive Special about?

The film follows Fred, a busker, and his cat Tabby McTat who enjoy a contented life singing on the streets of London to delighted audiences. One day, when chasing a thief, Fred falls and breaks his leg and is whisked away in an ambulance. What will become of the busker’s cat left alone on the city streets?

This is a special year for Julia and Axel. 2023 marks the 30th year of their creative partnership.

Author Julia Donaldson comments: “I used to love busking with my husband Malcolm when we were living in Bristol, and also in Paris. We also both love cats – in fact, we’ve just acquired two new kittens named Tabitha and McTat. So, this story is really close to my heart and combines two of my passions: singing and cats!”

Producer, Barney Goodland says: “Julia and Axel’s book is a beautiful, heart-warming story that we’re delighted to be adapting for BBC viewers this Christmas. The friendship between Fred and Tabby is a truly special one, and the film explores how their relationship changes unexpectedly as their lives move forward, and ultimately, how they learn to embrace that change.”

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama says: “Magic Light’s hugely entertaining adaptations of Julia and Axel’s works have been delighting families and viewers of all ages for over a decade now. I know that Tabby is a character loved by many, so I could not be happier that he’ll be brought to life this Christmas on BBC One and iPlayer.”

Shop Tabby McTat Book Series Here.

The new animated adaptation will air this festive season and follows in the success of previous shows including Zog And The Flying Doctors, Superworm, and The Smeds And The Smoos.

👉 See the 2025 BBC Christmas animation: our The Scarecrows’ Wedding BBC Christmas guide — Rob Brydon, Jessie Buckley and Domhnall Gleeson star.