In an incredible piece of casting genius, BBC 1 confirmed that Mackenzie Crook is the title character for its Worzel Gummidge remake. Details we’re initially a little thin on the ground when the news was first announced, but as we’ve gotten close to the Boxing Day release of Episode 1 things have taken shape a lot more, so here’s everything that we know so far, including the latest details on the episodes, the remake cast, all the details for the air date and the theme tune.
The character was a huge hit in the late 70s and on into the 1980s with the ITV show starring Jon Pertwee bringing the 1936 Barbara Euphan Todd storybook to life on the small screen. Is hasn’t been seen on television since Worzel Gummidge Down Under way back in 1987, so it was good to see that it was getting a reprise with the remake over the Christmas holidays 2019.
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Episode 1 of the Worzel Gummidge remake had an air date on BBC 1 on the 26th December 2019 at 6:20pm, having had Christmas and New Year television written all over it from the very beginning. The second Episode will air on the 27th December 2019 at 7pm on BBC 1, making it one of the must-watch shows on telly over Christmas.
The details confirmed our initial assumptions about the return of Worzel Gummidge with McKenzie crook in the lead, which was that the first of the two 1-hour films would be around Christmas Day and the second would be in the run up to New Year’s. With the story details for the two hour-long film episodes already announced, it was possible that the it could arrive much earlier than expected, but it turns out that it’s bang on the Christmas viewing button.
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The cast list for both episodes of the Worzel Gummidge remake Series 1 is pretty hefty with Mackenzie Crook leading it all as the title character. The other big character is Aunt Sally, who is played by Vicky Pepperdine. She was originally played by Una Stubbs in the 1979 ITV television series, so Vick and Mackenzie has some pretty big boots to fill.
Other big characters awaiting cast details include Susan and John, the scarecrow-making Green Man, Lady Bloomsbury Barton and Soggy Bogart.
Worzel Gummidge remake theme tune
The old TV show had a light and funny theme tune, which you can listen to again in the video below to refresh your memory. However, the BBC One remake has been announced for an audience of all ages and it has also been described as a modern adaptation, so we were expecting a slightly different piece. This was never going to be just another kids show, which is reflected in the theme tune as much as it is in the story, character development and production values.
You can check out a sample of the magical theme song for both The Scarecrow Of Scatterbrook and The Green Man in the short trailer for the BBC One specials below.
The music was composed and arranged by Adrian McNally with support from the rest of British folk band, The Unthanks.
Episodes
The Scarecrow Of Scatterbrook
Two strangers, Sarah and John, arrive in Scatterbrook, where they meet Worzel, who they discover is a walking and talking Scarecrow. This strange meeting of worlds creates a ripple effect on the rest of reality as the seasons come to a halt, so it’s up to the three of them to try to put things right again.
The Green Man
The next stranger to come to Scatterbrook is the Green Man, the maker of scarecrows and he’s not best pleased with Worzel Gummidge for talking to humans. If that isn’t enough to keep WG on tenterhooks, he’s also up for the best scarecrow competition at Lady Bloomsbury Barton’s fete where he’ll face off against Soggy Bogart, his toughest opposition.
Production
Mackenzie Crook also writes and directs the two Worzel Gummidge films working with Leopard Pictures, which is a part of the Argonon Group. The partnership also includes Treasure Trove Productions and Lola Entertainment. You can join the conversation about the production on Twitter at #worzelgummidge.
