The Borrowers to receive TV adaptation
21st June 2011
A new TV adaptation of Mary Norton's The Borrowers will be screened this Christmas, the BBC has confirmed, with Stephen Fry, Christopher Ecclestone and Victoria Wood set to star.
Norton's popular book, which spawned a number of follow-ups, previously made the transition to the small screen in a series starring Ian Holm in 1992, while a 1997 film adaptation with John Goodman was a favourite with audiences.
Fry will star as the evil Professor Mildeye in the new adaptation, while Wood will portray Grandma Driver, who utilises any means necessary to rid her home of the little people who live under the floorboards.
Ben Stephenson, controller of BBC drama commissioning, said the 90-minute production will make great Christmas viewing.
'It will be a brilliant and bold contemporary version of this classic tale with all the charm of the original but with a thrilling, moving and modern sensibility,' he added.
Another classic children's tale will also be adapted by the BBC this year, with Arthur Ransome's Swallows and Amazons making the transition to the small screen.