Dame Julie Walters is to star in 'The Abominable Snow Baby' this Christmas.
Dame Julie Walters
The 71-year-old actress is part of the cast along with David Harewood and Hugh Dancy in the animated adaptation of late author Sir Terry Pratchett’s 2014 book of the same name.
Walters will play the grandmother, Hugh will play her grandson, while David will narrate the story which follows in a long line of Channel 4 Christmas animations such as 'The Snowman', 'The Tiger Who Came To Tea' and last year's 'Clown' by Quentin Blake.
The ‘Abominable Snow Baby’ tells the story of a quintessentially English town which is thrown into chaos after heavy snow leads to the dramatic appearance of a 14-foot Abominable Snow Baby. At first it is feared by locals who shun it but is then rescued by a kind grandmother (Dame Julie) who along with grandson Albert (Hugh), welcomes him into her home and after showering the pet with love and affection, help change the town’s perception and help the community overcome its prejudices.
Announcing the cast, Channel 4 head of drama Caroline Hollick said: "Channel 4's original Christmas animation has become a real highlight over the years and this year will be no exception.
"I'm delighted Julie Walters, Hugh Dancy and David Harewood will be bringing to life this wonderful, funny and moving yuletide tale."
Pratchett died in 2015 from Alzheimer’s and earlier this year Rob Wilkins - who is the manager of Sir Terry's production company Narrativia - explained the author's inspiration for ‘The Abominable Snow Baby’, and also shared how “delighted” that it is being brought to life on the big screen.
He said: “In his lifetime, Terry wrote over seventy books, which have been translated into 41 languages.
“He started his career as a writer of short stories for young people, who remained his favourite audience.
“'The Abominable Snow Baby' showcases Terry’s firmly held belief in not judging people on appearances, his reverence for the elderly, and his very genuine love of Christmas.
“Narrativia is delighted to see Terry’s work brought to life by the talented team at Eagle Eye Drama, in the fiftieth year of Terry Pratchett being a published author.”
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