Written by Shona Smith on Oct 2, 2020. Posted in Production News

Roald & Beatrix wraps filming in Wales

The 90 minute comedy-drama about a six-year-old Roald Dahl who meets his idol Beatrix Potter will air on Sky One as part of its Christmas schedule. Hartswood Films produced the series for Sky Studios. Filming took place on location in Wales and at Seren Studios (former Pinewood Studios) in Cardiff.
Roald & Beatrix blends live-action, stop-frame animation and puppetry to bring to life the worlds of two of the country’s most renowned children’s authors. The story is set between Cumbria, where an aging Potter lives on a farm with sheep, pigs and her husband. She is coming to the end of a successful career and her publisher is chasing Potter for more manuscripts. Meanwhile, Dahl lives in Wales and takes comfort in the tales of Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddle-Duck to distract him from the reality of life after his older sister passes away.

Potter and Dahl meet and embark on an extraordinary journey filled with jovial and interesting characters. Dawn French (Death on the Nile, Narnia, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe)stars as Beatrix Potter, and is joined by Jessica Hynes (Paddington 2, Years and Years), Rob Brydon (The Trip, The Huntsman: Winterswar), Alison Steadman (Gavin & Stacey, The King's Man), Nina Sosanya (Killing Eve, His Dark Materials), Bill Bailey (Chalet Girl, Doctor Who) and Nick Mohammed (Christopher Robin, Fresh Meat) are also in the cast.

Filming began in late August. At the time, Producer Elaine Cameron at Hartswood Films (Dracula, Sherlock) said “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”.

Roald & Beatrix was supported by Creative Wales, who back incoming projects attracted by rich talent, landscapes and bespoke support packages. Wales Screen offers practical support to all types of productions filming throughout Wales, advising on locations, freelance crew and facility companies.

High-end TV productions with a minimum core expenditure of GBP1 million per broadcast hour can claim a rebate of up to 25% of qualifying UK expenditure.