BBC releases first-look image of Julia Donaldson Christmas special The Baddies
The BBC has released a first-look image of The Baddies, a Christmas animation based on Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's picture book, with Sheridan Smith, Alison Steadman and Rob Brydon in the voice cast. No exact broadcast date has been announced.
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The story, neutrally told
Centre · 2The BBC has released a first-look image from The Baddies, a Christmas special adapted from the picture book by Dame Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Evening StandardN “The special is adapted from The Baddies book written by Dame Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Radio TimesN “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.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Mixed · 2In the fairytale comedy, a troll, a witch and a ghost proclaim themselves the baddest of all and delight in tormenting everyone they meet, until they are challenged to steal a girl's blue spotty hanky and find they may have met their match. Evening StandardN “a troll, a witch and a ghost proclaim themselves the baddest of them all, delighting in tormenting everyone they meet.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ The IndependentLC “the trio realise they may have met their match.” Read at The Independent ↗ Mixed · 2Sheridan Smith voices the narrator, Alison Steadman the Witch and Rob Brydon the Ghost; all three are Gavin & Stacey actors. Radio TimesN “Sheridan Smith (narrator), Alison Steadman (the Witch) and Rob Brydon (the Ghost).” Read at Radio Times ↗ The IndependentLC “starring Gavin & Stacey actors Sheridan Smith, Rob Brydon and Alison Steadman” Read at The Independent ↗
Centre · 1Radio Times adds that Hammed Animashaun voices the Troll, Robyn Cara (Bodkin) the Girl and Francesca Mills the Mouse, and that Brydon has now voiced 14 Donaldson adaptations. Radio TimesN “Hammed Animashaun co-stars as the Troll”“this being the 14th Donaldson adaptation to which he has lent his instantly recognisable voice.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Mixed · 2Smith called the special "deliciously spooky, ridiculously funny, and packed with heart", while Steadman said she loved how it "flips traditional fairytales on their head". Evening StandardN “The Baddies is deliciously spooky, ridiculously funny, and packed with heart.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ The IndependentLC “What I loved about the story is how it flips traditional fairytales on their head.” Read at The Independent ↗ Mixed · 2It is directed by Andy Martin and Sarah-Jane Knox and produced by Barney Goodland and Martin Pope of Magic Light Pictures, which has adapted several Donaldson books for BBC Christmas, including The Gruffalo, Zog and The Scarecrows' Wedding. Evening StandardN “The Baddies is directed by Andy Martin and Sarah-Jane Knox, and produced by Barney Goodland and Martin Pope of Magic Light Pictures.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ The IndependentLC “A number of Dame Julia’s books have already been adapted by Magic Light Pictures for BBC Christmas specials including The Gruffalo, Zog and The Scarecrows’ Wedding” Read at The Independent ↗
Centre · 2Last year's The Scarecrows' Wedding was watched by 8.7 million viewers; the Evening Standard and Independent say this was across the festive period and made it Christmas week's most-watched UK programme, while Radio Times cites BARB figures for its first 28 days. Evening StandardN “was watched by 8.7 million viewers across the festive period, becoming Christmas week’s most-watched programme in the UK.” Read at Evening Standard ↗ Radio TimesN “which was watched by 8.7 million viewers across its first 28 days, according to BARB figures.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Centre · 1The BBC has confirmed a Christmas release on BBC One and iPlayer but has not announced an exact date or time. Radio TimesN “The BBC has confirmed a Christmas release for The Baddies, but has not yet announced an exact broadcast date or time.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Left · 1The Independent also notes that Donaldson recently published Gruffalo Granny, the third Gruffalo book, more than 20 years after The Gruffalo's Child (2004). The IndependentLC “The work, titled Gruffalo Granny, came more than 20 years after The Gruffalo’s Child, which was published in 2004.” Read at The Independent ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Straightforward promotional news piece (PA copy) on the first-look image, quoting the cast and adding Donaldson's new Gruffalo Granny book.
- Emphasis
- Cast quotes, Magic Light's earlier adaptations and the Gruffalo Granny book.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not name Brydon's role or the rest of the voice cast, or say that no broadcast date is set.
- For example
-
“It comes after Dame Julia released a third instalment in her popular children’s series, The Gruffalo.” — The Independent
Centre2 outlets
- Framing
- Light entertainment coverage built around the Gavin & Stacey reunion angle; Radio Times gives fuller cast and broadcast details.
- Emphasis
- Gavin & Stacey cast, quotes, previous ratings; Radio Times adds the full cast and the lack of a set date.
- Leaves out or plays down
- The Evening Standard omits the wider cast and the unannounced date; neither mentions Gruffalo Granny.
- Charged language
- “Gavin & Stacey icons”
- For example
-
“BBC unveils first look at Julia Donaldson Christmas animation The Baddies - with Gavin & Stacey icons” — Radio Times
“A first-look image of The Baddies Christmas special starring Gavin & Stacey actors Sheridan Smith, Rob Brydon and Alison Steadman has been released.” — Evening Standard
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- A first-look image of The Baddies has been released.
- Smith narrates, Steadman voices the Witch and Brydon is in the cast.
- The Scarecrows' Wedding drew 8.7 million viewers last year.
- It is directed by Andy Martin and Sarah-Jane Knox and produced by Magic Light Pictures.
Where accounts differ
-
Period of The Scarecrows' Wedding's 8.7 million viewers
- Left
- The Independent (PA copy): across the festive period, Christmas week's most-watched programme.
- Centre
- Radio Times: across its first 28 days per BARB; Evening Standard matches the festive-period wording.
-
Last year's Donaldson adaptation The Scarecrows' Wedding was watched by 8.7 million viewers.
Reported- Reports 3
- The Independent, Evening Standard, Radio Times
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The Baddies is directed by Andy Martin and Sarah-Jane Knox and produced by Barney Goodland and Martin Pope of Magic Light Pictures.
Reported- Reports 3
- The Independent, Evening Standard, Radio Times
BBC organisation
Has confirmed a Christmas release on BBC One and iPlayer without giving a date.
“The Baddies is coming soon to BBC One and BBC iPlayer.” — Radio Times
Sheridan Smith person
Smith, the narrator, promotes it as spooky, funny and heartfelt family viewing.
“Being bad has never been so much fun!” — Evening Standard
Julia Donaldson person
Author of the source book; coverage quotes the cast rather than her, and notes her new Gruffalo Granny book.
“Featuring illustrations from Scheffler, the work weaves in classic characters Fox, Owl, and Snake.” — The Independent
Left1 article
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Julia Donaldson fans given first-look at BBC Christmas special The Baddies
Neutral PA-style news piece with cast quotes and context on Donaldson's Gruffalo Granny.
Centre2 articles
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The Baddies: First-look image revealed of BBC Christmas special
Celebratory Short promotional report centred on the Gavin & Stacey cast and cast quotes.
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Celebratory Fuller preview with complete voice cast, Brydon's Donaldson record and note that no date is set.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 8 Oct 17:00 First Evening StandardN The Baddies: First-look image revealed of BBC Christmas special
- 8 Oct 17:00 First Radio TimesN BBC unveils first look at Julia Donaldson Christmas animation The Baddies - with Gavin & Stacey icons
- 8 Oct 17:00 +1m The IndependentLC Julia Donaldson fans given first-look at BBC Christmas special The Baddies
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.