Roald & Beatrix: The Tail Of The Curious Mouse. Image shows from L to R: Roald Dahl (Harry Tayler), Beatrix Potter (Dawn French). Copyright: Hartswood Films Ltd
Roald & Beatrix: The Tail Of The Curious Mouse

Roald & Beatrix: The Tail Of The Curious Mouse

  • TV comedy drama
  • Sky One
  • 2020
  • 1 episode

Christmas comedy special about the real-life meeting of Beatrix Potter and Roald Dahl. Also features Dawn French, Harry Tayler, Jessica Hynes, Rob Brydon, Nina Sosanya and more.

Roald & Beatrix: The Tail Of The Curious Mouse. Image shows from L to R: Beatrix Potter (Dawn French), Roald Dahl (Harry Tayler). Copyright: Hartswood Films Ltd

Key details

Genre
Comedy Drama
Broadcast
2020
Channel
Sky One
Episodes
1
Stars
Dawn French, Harry Tayler, Jessica Hynes, Rob Brydon, Nina Sosanya, Nick Mohammed, Alison Steadman, Bill Bailey and more
Writer
Abigail Wilson
Directors
David Kerr and Thomas Harnett O'Meara
Producers
Elaine Cameron, Abigail Wilson, Sue Vertue, Dan Cheesbrough, Jon Mountague, Matt Clinch and Meinir Stoutt
Company

A heart-warming comedy drama film inspired by the true story of when a six-year-old Roald Dahl met his idol Beatrix Potter. A magical story of what really can happen when you are brave enough to follow your dreams...

The famed author Beatrix Potter is coming to the end of her career. With her publisher hounding her for her next draft, she's unable to concentrate and has had enough of writing children's books. It's not just her motivation that she has lost, her optometrist has recognised she has failing eyesight. With Christmas approaching, Beatrix is pressured, feeling increasingly out of touch with her readers, not to mention the trespassing fans and jovial door-knocking carol singers.

Her Cumbrian farm and ever-growing Herdwick sheep collection, her long-suffering husband William and disobedient animals including much loved pig called Sally, act as her only real comfort as she looks for inspiration and resists taking the easy way out with her Publisher.

Two hundred or so miles away in Wales, life is changing for an anxious young boy called Roald. Having recently lost his older sister and now his father, the once happy six-year-old has found solace and comfort in books. The beloved tales of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-Duck fill his mind, distracting him from the funeral, sadness and the revelation that he might be sent to boarding school.

Wanting to run away, he is encouraged by his mother Sophie to follow his dreams and visit his hero Beatrix Potter. Roald pushes his anxiety aside and they set off on his first big adventure. Their extraordinary journey is filled with unpredictable and humorous characters all of whom ignite Roald's imagination and provide comfort to his grieving mother.

The dream of meeting his favourite author is eventually realised and their very special encounter proves to be both a magical and life changing moment for them both.

Additional details

Also known as
  • Roald & Beatrix, The Tail Of The Curious Mouse (Working title)
  • Roald & Beatrix
Production
Location
Camera set-up
Single camera
Picture
Colour

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Thursday 24th December 2020 at 2am on Sky One
Episode length
90 minutes
Most recent repeats
  • Saturday 30th December 2023 at 6:30pm on Sky Max
  • Tuesday 26th December 2023 at 12:00pm on Sky Max
  • Friday 22nd December 2023 at 11:30am on Sky Max

Recording details

  • Wales - Location filming
  • Seren Studios - Studio filming

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