Sheridan Smith, Alison Steadman and ‘SNL U.K.’s’ Hammed Animashaun Lend Voices to ‘The Baddies’ Adaptation

Sheridan Smith, Alison Steadman and ‘SNL U.K.’s Hammed Animashaun are set to lend their voices to an adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s “The Baddies.”

Smith will narrate the half-hour animation from multi-Oscar-nominated production company Magic Light Pictures while Steadman voices Witch and Animashaun plays Troll.

They will be joined by Robyn Cara as Girl and Francesca Mills as Mouse while Magic Light regular Rob Brydon returns as Ghost.

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The story follows three of the world’s worst Baddies — a troll, a ghost and a witch – who love to be bad.

“When a girl with a blue spotty hanky moves into a cottage nearby, the Baddies quarrel about all the nasty tricks they want to play on her,” reads the logline. “Then a mouse sets a challenge for the Baddies to see who can steal the hanky. Soon they learn that they may have met their match in the little girl.”

Andy Martin and Sarah-Jane Knox are directing. Barney Goodland and Martin Pope of Magic Light Pictures produce. Triggerfish Animation provide animation services.

The film will debut on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on Christmas day.

“‘The Baddies’ was enormous fun to write because I loved inventing these gloriously wicked characters and then thinking about what might happen when they finally meet someone brave enough to outwit them,” said Donaldson. “Magic Light has done a brilliant job bringing the story to life and the cast have captured all the humour, silliness and spookiness perfectly.”

Sheridan Smith said: “I’ve always loved Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s stories, so it was such a joy to be part of bringing ‘The Baddies’ to life. The film is funny, spooky and full of heart, and the animation is absolutely beautiful. I think families are going to have enormous fun watching these wonderful characters causing chaos this Christmas.”

The film is the latest book from author Donaldson and illustrator Scheffler to be adapted for screen by Magic Light. Past adaptations include “The Gruffalo” and “Zog.”