TV: The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse writer on bringing his stories to the screen this Christmas

When Charlie Mackesy published his book The Boy, The Mole, The Fox And The Horse in 2019, it became an instant classic.

Inspired by drawings he had first posted on Instagram, the heart-warming tale – based on four characters who share an unbreakable bond – explores themes of friendship and kindness through a series of brief but profound conversations.

The biggest-selling adult hardback of all time earned Northumberland-born illustrator Mackesy a short film adaptation airing on BBC1 this Christmas that promises the same magic on screen. Reimagined in full colour with hand-drawn traditional animation, the special will take audiences on a poignant journey, as the foursome unite in the boy’s search for home.

Breathing life into the book’s protagonists is an award-winning cast of actors including Tom Hollander as the mole, Idris Elba as the fox, Gabriel Byrne as the horse and newcomer Jude Coward Nicoll, 15, as the boy.

When Mackesey heard Nicoll’s Scottish burr he knew he was perfect.

“The boy’s voice had always been a soft Scottish accent,” said Mackesey. “So when I heard Jude, I said, ‘Well that’s him, then’. There was something about the innocence and the tone of Jude’s voice.

“Tom Hollander had always been in my head as the mole – I love Tom and his voice sounds like a cake. And the horse had always been Irish, so Gabriel Byrne – I remember I had a call with him and before I said anything, he said, ‘Charlie, I am the horse’.

“What a dream to have him, that depth. I like dangerous voices that become kind.”

Mackesey revealed he was moved by the stories of fans of the book as it became popular, which resonated with the author, who was open about his own battles with mental health.

“It is something I have struggled with,” he added. “My drawings were an honest, vulnerable dialogue that addressed some things.

“I remember being at a book signing, one of the first ones, and there was a longish queue, and a boy was standing very quietly and looking at me.

“He had a book, I signed it, and he just said, ‘I just want you to know that your drawings have helped me stay’. I wasn’t quite sure what he meant by the word ‘stay’ and he said, ‘I’m still here’.

“I remember thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, if this helps one person, I’ll take that’. This 18 or 19-year-old boy is still around because of drawings I scratched out.”