Badjelly
Projects

Badjelly – A Magical Adventure Unfolds!

NZ/Canada/UK co-production

2D Animated Series, Badjelly the Witch, 

Based on Spike Milligan’s 1973 Classic Book

Mukpuddy Animation has teamed up with Sphere Animation in Canada and Cantilever Media in the UK to produce Badjelly. Production has begun on the exhilarating 13 x 22’ 2D animated series for kids 7-11-years old, based on the classic 1973 book, Badjelly the Witch, an irreverent modern fairy tale authored and illustrated by British comedian, poet, playwright and actor, Spike Milligan

Spike Milligan, renowned co-creator of The Goon Show, left an indelible comedic mark on British humour, influencing a legion of legendary comics from the iconic Monty Python troupe to Eddie Izzard and beyond. 

He originally created the short story, Badjelly the Witch, as a fairy tale for his two young children.  Packed full of weird and wonderful surprises about good triumphing over evil, Milligan hand-wrote the text and drew the illustrations himselfBadjelly the Witch was later turned into a successful audio play starring Milligan and a few years later retold with a full orchestra, released by Polydor Records.  

Badjelly represents a significant step for Mukpuddy who are leading the charge to raise the profile of animated storytelling from New Zealand.  Head writer and co-director Ryan Cooper is brimming with enthusiasm, stating, “We’ve assembled a great team of writers and creatives who are taking Spike’s Badjelly to another level of enchantment, thrills and whimsical quirky fun.” 

The Badjelly cast is also taking shape with the irrepressible Miriam Margolyes embodying the enigmatic Badjelly, Rhys Darby as the mischievous Binklebonk, Ava Diakhaby as the charming and brave Rose and rising star Malachi Hall as the fearless Tim. They are joined by an array of international talent including Roisin Conaty, Rose Matafeo, Cohen Holloway, Mandip Gill, Joe Wilkinson, Katherine Parkinson, Kiell Smith-Bynoe, and Julian Barratt.

Badjelly the Witch is wildly popular in New Zealand,” says producer Simon Ward, “generations of kiwi kids have grown up with the book, the radio play and countless versions of the stage show. We’re delighted to bring this beloved kiwi classic to a global audience with our take on Spike’s (Binkle)bonkers adventure.”

Badjelly is set to enchant audiences in early 2025 on the Family Channel in Canada, ABC in Australia and TVNZ in New Zealand, with global distribution handled by Wildbrain. 

Stay tuned as this magical Badjelly animated series rekindles the spirit of Milligan’s whimsical world and takes you on an unforgettable adventure!

MAIN CAST

Badjelly Miriam Margolyes

Tim Malachi Hall

Rose Ava Diakhaby

Binklebonk Rhys Darby

Rusty the Lion Cohen Holloway

Mudwiggle Roisin Conaty

Dinglemouse Mandip Gill

Dulboot Joe Wilkinson

Mum (Flo) Katherine Parkinson

Dad (Leo) Kiell Smith-Bynoe

Jim the Eagle Julian Barratt