‘The Tail of the Curious Mouse’ trailer: Dawn French plays Beatrix Potter in new 1920s drama

Sky has released a trailer for Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse.

The new 90-minute TV movie is inspired by the true story of when a six-year old Roald Dahl set off on a big adventure to meet his favourite author, Beatrix Potter.

From the makers of Sherlock, the uplifting comedy-drama blends live action camera work, stop-frame animation and puppetry to bring to life the vivid imaginations and magical worlds of these two inspiring and renowned children’s authors.

The Tail of the Curious Mouse stars Dawn French (The Vicar of Dibley) as English writer, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist Beatrix Potter, alongside newcomer Harry Tayler as Roald Dahl.

Best known as the creator of Peter Rabbit, Beatrix Potter was previously played by Renée Zellweger in the 2006 movie Miss Potter.

The cast also includes Jessica Hynes (Up the Women), Rob Brydon (The Trip), Alison Steadman (Gavin and Stacey), Nina Sosanya (Brave New World), Bill Bailey (In The Long Run), and Nick Mohammed (Intelligence), with narration by John Hannah (Sliding Doors).

Watch the trailer:

 

Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse will premiere in the UK at 8pm on Thursday 24th December on Sky One, and on demand on streaming service NOW TV.

The official synopsis reads: “Famed author Beatrix Potter (French) is coming to the end of her career. With her publisher (Sosanya) 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 (Mohammed) 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 (Brydon) 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 Harry Tayler). 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 (Haynes) 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 (Steadman & Bailey) 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.”

Dawn French also reprises the iconic role of vicar Geraldine in three special new The Vicar of Dibley episodes this festive season.

A brand new film about Roald Dahl’s marriage to actress Patricia Neal is out next year, starring Hugh Bonneville from Downton Abbey and Keeley Hawes from The Durrells.

Roald Dahl’s autobiography Boy: Tales of Childhood is available on Amazon.