Magic Light adapts Donaldson and Scheffler's Zog follow-up for BBC Christmas 2020

Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s Zog And The Flying Doctors (Scholastic) is being adapted into a BBC One Christmas animation by Bafta-winning firm Magic Light Pictures.

Set to premiere in Christmas 2020, the half-hour story will be produced by Michael Rose and Martin Pope of Magic Light, and directed by Sean Mullen. Brought to life by Giant Animation in Dublin, the special was acquired by Charlotte Moore, BBC director of content and Tommy Bulfin, commissioning editor of BBC Drama. Rights were acquired from Caroline Sheldon from Caroline Sheldon Literary Agency on behalf of Donaldson and from Scholastic UK on behalf of Scheffler.

It follows on from "Zog", which was broadcast to millions last Christmas and was recently nominated for an International Kids Emmy.

In the new film Zog, Pearl and Gadabout are now a flying doctor trio, caring for creatures including a mermaid, a unicorn and a sneezy lion. However when bad weather forces them to land at the palace, Pearl is locked up by her uncle, the king. Zog and Gadabout try to set her free. When their attempts fail, Pearl has to come up with the best way of all to regain her freedom.

This is the eighth adaptation by Magic Light of a Donaldson/Scheffler title, with previous adaptations including The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo’s Child, the Oscar nominated and Bafta-winning Room On The Broom, plus an upcoming Christmas adaptation of The Snail And The Whale.