Award-winning London-based animation specialist production company Lupus Films have announced the stellar voice cast for Channel 4, Lupus Films and HarperCollins’ The Tiger Who Came to Tea which is set to air this Christmas.
Based on beloved children’s-book The Tiger Who Came to Tea, written by Judith Kerr OBE and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, the cast of the 30-minute animated special is set to star:
Benedict Cumberbatch (Brexit: The Uncivil War, Sherlock, Avengers: Infinity Wars), Tamsin Greig (Tamara Drewe, Friday Night Dinner, The Guilty, Episodes), David Oyelowo (Les Miserables, A United Kingdom, Selma), David Walliams (Walliams & Friend, Little Britain, Come Fly With Me) and Paul Whitehouse (Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, The Fast Show), while seven-year-old newcomer Clara Ross will make her TV debut.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to be playing a small part in bringing Judith Kerr’s timeless children’s classic to the screen for another generation to enjoy.”
Benedict Cumberbatch voices ‘Daddy’
“Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to play the iconic tiger from The Tiger Who Came to Tea? He’s a big cat of few words because – he’s too busy eating! – but I relished all of the growling, chomping and slurping, which called on me to find my inner cat.”
David Oyelowo voices the Tiger
“I knew Judith well and I really adored her. She was an incredible inspiration – her work is so brilliant. The book is a thing of beauty – there isn’t a word out of place, the illustrations are just gorgeous. I really wanted to be a part of it and I was chuffed that she wanted me to narrate. I’m so proud to be associated with it because it’s a stone cold classic. Just like the book has been around for over 50 years, hopefully the animation will have this incredible longevity too.”
David Walliams voices the Narrator
“We’re delighted to have assembled such a fantastic cast to tell this wonderful and much-loved children’s classic. It really does promise to be a fabulous festive treat for all the family.”
Caroline Hollick, Channel 4 Head of Drama
The Tiger Who Came to Tea has been adapted for the screen by Joanna Harrison (Co-Director of We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Co-Writer and Art Director of The Snowman and The Snowdog), and is being produced by Lupus Films’ founders Camilla Deakin and Ruth Fielding together with Ann-Janine Murtagh, Katie Fulford and Mia Jupp at HarperCollins Children’s Books, and directed by Robin Shaw (Co-Director We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, Assistant Director The Snowman and The Snowdog).
“We are thrilled to have attached such an amazing cast to bring to life the characters in this timeless family favourite. It’s a real honour to be working with such a glittering array of talent who are going to help make this animation truly special.”
Ruth Fielding, producer for Lupus Films
The 30-minute special will air over the Christmas season in 2019 on Channel 4, whose last festive children’s classic, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, was also produced by Lupus Films, and became the Channel’s most watched programme of 2016 with over 8 million viewers.
