The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

Charlie Mackesy's best-selling book, The Boy, the Mole, The Fox and the Horse, has been adapted for TV and airs on BBC One and Apple TV+ this Christmas.

The Matthew Freud production is produced by Cara Speller, of Nonemore Productions, and J.J. In a world that is often dark, Charlie Mackesy’s words and illustrations of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, have served as moments of light. Abrams and Hannah Minghella of Bad Robot Productions. Charlie collaborated with Jon Croker on the adaptation, and is also named as co-director alongside Peter Baynton. And that messaging of kindness and gentleness translates gracefully from page to screen. If you’ve made it this far without the Kleenex, this might well be your tipping point. While the book has no linear plot, the film needed one. [Enjoy extra savings on Horse & Hound gift subscriptions with SAVE12](https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/horse-hound-subscription-offer-651358) [Review: Horsepower – new Amazon Prime Video series is much more than a racing documentary](https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/horsepower-amazon-prime-video-review-804672) [Opinion: The Fall – a film as powerful in its silences as in its words](https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/opinion-the-fall-film-equine-productions-765613) [Watch first glimpse of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse adaptation for TV](https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/watch-first-glimpse-of-the-boy-the-mole-the-fox-and-the-horse-adaptation-for-tv-809436) [The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse brought to life on TV this Christmas](https://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/charlie-mackesy-the-boy-the-mole-the-fox-and-the-horse-television-christmas-bbc-apple-tv-807922) “I’m lost,” says the Boy, voiced in heartbreaking gentleness by Jude Coward Nichol. Their kindness, humour and hope reached through the page, bringing comfort and connection. - The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is on BBC One and iPlayer at 4.55pm on Christmas Eve (24 December), and It’s 35 minutes of exquisite, peaceful light, born to become a modern Christmas classic.

The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse airs on BBC this Christmas Eve but who features with Luther's Idris Elba? Plus where you've seen the cast before.

Who is the boy? Who is the horse? Who is the mole? He has starred in The War of the Worlds, ZeroZeroZero, as well as Lost Girls and Death of a Ladies' Man. Who is the fox? Well, read on to find out more about the voices behind the characters in The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse. [subscribe now](http://radiotimes.com/magazine-subscription?utm_term=evergreen-article). The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse What else has Jude Coward Nicoll been in? [Christmas specials](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/christmas-tv-2022/) of Call the Midwife and Death in Paradise, there has been one highlight on the BBC One schedule that's set to bring all the festive cheer. What else has Gabriel Byrne been in? The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse cast

This Christmas Eve, you may be settling down with a hot cup of cocoa, mulled wine or a strong eggnog, ready for a full on day of festivities tomorrow and on ...

Earlier in the interview, he revealed that writing and drawing hadn't been his only career. He then posted it on the social media platform and it went viral. And what I wish I’d known, what I could tell myself if I could go back in time. Since then, his works have been featured in renowned newspapers, magazines, books, galleries, private collections and public spaces throughout the world - as well as on his own social media for all to enjoy. Other charity work of his has included working with Richard Curtis on the set of Love Actually to create drawing to be auctioned for Comic Relief. The boy says, ‘What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever said?’ And the horse says, ‘Help.’” I have some close friends who find life very difficult, and when I sent them, texted them drawings and I saw their responses, that inspired me. Now, the words and drawings from his bestselling book, which has sold over a million copies, have been shared online, have been printed on t-shirts, in schools, cafes, prisons, hospital wards, NHS hopsitals and even in the streets, providing everyone and anyone who needs with it a small comfort. I saw that the drawings had a small effect on them. Then one day somebody offered me some money for something I’d done and I realised I could make a living out of it." Perhaps I’d have shown myself some of this stuff about love and kindness and self-acceptance, to take the worry out and make me feel more connected. [iNews](https://inews.co.uk/inews-lifestyle/wellbeing/charlie-mackesy-animal-drawings-illustrations-instagram-the-boy-the-mole-the-fox-and-the-horse-350435).

Cast members of the animated adaptation include Idris Elba, Tom Hollander, and Gabriel Byrne. Isobel Waller-Bridge, sister to Phoebe, composed the soundtrack.

The feature is roughly 30 minutes long. Byrne, 72, is perhaps best known for his role in 1980s thriller The Usual Suspects. Watch The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. He has recently been seen in The White Lotus. Elba, 50, has one of the most recognisable faces and voices on British TV. Tom Hollander, meanwhile, will take up the voice of the Mole.

Charlie Mackesy's best-selling book comes to life in the animated film “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” premiering on Apple TV+ Christmas Day.

A subscription to [ Apple TV+](https://go.skimresources.com?id=126006X1587341&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftv.apple.com%2Fus%2Fmovie%2Fthe-boy-the-mole-the-fox-and-the-horse%2Fumc.cmc.2aenzye90tqkj7iy0131oom9x) is $4.99/month. Jude Coward Nicoll, a young actor, plays the voice of Boy. Gabriel Byrne is the voice of Horse. The animated film tells a story of friendship between the four title characters as they find themselves thrown together in uncertain circumstances. This film short feature has a cast of blockbuster stars and is adapted from a children’s book. [“The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse” ](https://go.skimresources.com?id=126006X1587341&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftv.apple.com%2Fus%2Fmovie%2Fthe-boy-the-mole-the-fox-and-the-horse%2Fumc.cmc.2aenzye90tqkj7iy0131oom9x)premiering on [Apple TV+](https://go.skimresources.com?id=126006X1587341&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftv.apple.com%2Fus%2Fmovie%2Fthe-boy-the-mole-the-fox-and-the-horse%2Fumc.cmc.2aenzye90tqkj7iy0131oom9x) Christmas Day.

Children's story? No: this was dreadful, single-line cod-philosophy that should have stayed as an Instagram account. The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The ...

They encounter The Fox (Idris Elba) and The Horse (Gabriel Byrne). [when The Snowman melts](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/the-snowman-at-40-its-a-story-about-loss-2025784?ico=in-line_link). The watercolour effect pairs with spare characterisation, and there was a sense of space, of wildness, a solace amid the cram and noise of Christmas. [The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse](https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/christmas-tv-2022-guide-schedule-family-childrens-boy-mole-fox-horse-2021516). It was a natural decision to adapt it for BBC One, which called it, “A story of kindness, friendship, courage and hope for viewers of all ages.” And then there is the big one, the show we gather around as we muster energy for board games and/or a massive row.