Dawn French will be joined by an amazing cast in her new Beatrix Potter drama

Sky has announced the cast for its upcoming TV movie about when Roald Dahl met Beatrix Potter.

From the makers of Sherlock, the one-off 90-minute film was announced earlier this year.

Dawn French is playing English writer, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist Beatrix Potter, best known as the creator of  Peter Rabbit.

It’s now been revealed the The Vicar of Dibley star will be joined by 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).

Filming is now underway in Cardiff, Wales on Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse.

Written by Abi Wilson, it’s inspired by the true story of when a six-year-old Roald Dahl meets his idol Beatrix Potter.

The uplifting and heart-warming Christmas film is described as “a magical story of what really can happen when you are brave enough to follow your dreams…”

Roald & Beatrix will blend 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.

Jon Mountague, Director of Comedy at Sky Studios, commented: “Roald Dahl taught us ‘a little magic can take you a long way’. This Christmas, Sky presents the magical tale of how a boyhood Dahl met his idol Beatrix Potter.

“With Dawn French leading an all-star cast this surprising story, inspired by a real life encounter, is a tale as much for our times as yesteryear.”

Producer Elaine Cameron added: “This film follows a joyous and magical journey involving two of Britain’s most loved children’s authors. As filmmakers in the middle of a world-wide pandemic, we are similarly embarking on a journey – quite unlike anything any of us have ever experienced.

“The optimism and resilience of the cast and crew and the bravery of Sky to back us to the hilt, is as inspiring to me as a producer as the story itself. We are delighted that Abi’s wonderful writing has attracted such a stunningly funny cast.”

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.”

Beatrix Potter was previously played by Renée Zellweger in the 2006 movie Miss Potter.

Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse will premiere in the UK this Christmas on Sky One and on demand on streaming service NOW TV.

A new film about Roald Dahl’s marriage to actress Patricia Neal is also on the way.

The movie features an incredible cast of British period drama stars, including Hugh Bonneville from Downton Abbey.

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