BBC Unwraps The Scarecrows’ Wedding for a Heartwarming Christmas Treat

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s The Scarecrows’ Wedding Comes to Life on BBC This Christmas, featuring a star-studded cast!

Over the years, the BBC’s Christmas TV line-up has become a beloved tradition for families across the UK, thanks in no small part to its enchanting adaptations of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s classic picture books.

From The Gruffalo to Zog, Superworm and Stick Man, these beautifully animated tales have captured hearts and become festive favourites.

Who Will Star In BBC’s The Scarecrows’ Wedding?

This Christmas, the magic continues with The Scarecrows’ Wedding — a heartwarming new half-hour special starring Rob Brydon, Jessie Buckley, Domhnall Gleeson, and Sophie Okonedo.

Rob Brydon, voicing Reginald Rake, says:  “I’ve been lucky enough to appear in every Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler adaptation so far, and Reginald Rake has to be one of the most enjoyable characters yet. He’s vain, charming, and utterly unreliable – a proper cad! Playing him has been enormous fun.”

What Is The Scarecrows’ Wedding About?

Airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, the story follows two devoted scarecrows, Betty O’Barley and Harry O’Hay, as they prepare for their perfect big day — until trouble blows in with a charming but troublesome newcomer, Reginald Rake. With humour, adventure, and a whole lot of heart, this is a joyful reminder that the most meaningful moments come from simply being together.

When Will BBC’s The Scarecrows’ Wedding Air?

Although no dates and times have been confirmed, if previous years are to go by The Scarecrows’ Wedding should air on Christmas Day around 2pm. Bookmark this page and check back for confirmed details.

Author Julia Donaldson says: “The Scarecrows’ Wedding is my favourite of all the books I’ve created with Axel Scheffler, so I’m extra specially pleased that it is to be this year’s animated adaptation from Magic Light Pictures. It’s a love story set on a farm by the sea, and the story contains a lot of comedy and a Hollywood-style villain. (I thought of David Niven when I created that character.) The cast has brought such warmth and playfulness to the characters of Betty and Harry and the various animals, and Reginald Rake, played by Rob Brydon, is a real cad!”

Jessie Buckley, playing Betty O’Barley says: “I love this story. The film has so many beautiful little moments but I love the scene where the first glimmers of love get expressed between Harry and Betty – the anxiety and the tentativeness around that. They’re both edging closer and closer to being in the relationship, realising that they want to be together… we’ve all been there. It’s all about young love, and recognising what’s important to you in life. “

The Scarecrows’ Wedding is adapted from the hugely successful picture book written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. The film is the 13th animated special of their work to be produced by Magic Light Pictures for the BBC.

Last year’s animation, Tiddler, saw an audience of 7.3 million and the highest audience share on Christmas Day for a Magic Light Pictures film since The Gruffalo in 2009.

We can’t wait for Christmas TV to start lighting up our screens! With festive favourites like Pete Wicks: For Dogs’ Sake returning for a heartwarming special and Limitless Win joining the holiday lineup, this year’s celebrations are set to be extra special.

Get ready for cosy nights, feel-good stories, and plenty of festive fun – Christmas telly magic is just around the corner!