Beatrix Potter is the beloved children’s author who gave us some of our most treasured book characters while growing up. From Peter Rabbit to Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, Tom Kitten, the Flopsy Bunnies and Jemima Puddle-Duck – Potter’s home surroundings in the Lake District massively inspired her imagination. 

Renée Zellweger helped tell the tale of the author’s real life in 2006 film Miss Potter. And now, Dawn French is giving us another perspective of Potter’s tale in a very wholesome, feel-good sounding Sky film.

Roald & Beatrix: The Tail Of The Curious Mouse, written by Abi Wilson (Stella, Trollied) is Sky One’s Christmas family drama based on a real meeting between Potter and a six-year-old Roald Dahl. 

In a statement, Sky said that the film would portray Potter coming to the end of her career, under pressure from her publishers, losing the will to write more children’s stories and with her eyesight failing her.

Meanwhile, Dahl is an anxious young boy who has recently lost his older sister and now his father. The once happy six-year-old has found some comfort in books, particularly Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-Duck.

When Dahl’s meeting with Potter eventually happens, it’s a life-changing moment for both of them.

French will play Potter, with Rob Brydon starring as her husband, William. Harry Tayler is a young Roald Dahl and Jessica Hynes stars as his mother Sofie. Alison Steadman plays a café owner called Dora, Nina Sosanya is publisher Anne Landy and Nick Mohammed plays optometrist Mr Entwistle. Bill Bailey also stars.

Despite a delay because of the coronavirus pandemic, production has been underway, and we can expect the 90-minute drama to hit our screens as a Christmas treat later this year. You’ll be able to watch it on Sky and Now TV.

It’s another brilliant addition to our ever-growing list of festive TV and film to watch. Maybe Christmas 2020 won’t be so bad after all?

Images: Sky