Zog – BBC1

Animated adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's picture book about an accident-prone dragon named Zog, featuring the voices of Lenny Henry, Tracey Ullman and Kit Harington

Animated adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s picture book about an accident-prone dragon named Zog

Accident-prone young dragon Zog (voiced by W1A’s Hugh Skinner) is forever getting into scrapes as he learns to fly, breathe fire and roar in this 30-minute animation based on the much-loved children’s book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.

Luckily, Zog finds a friend in young Princess Pearl (Patsy Ferran), who patches him up after each misadventure and who would much rather be a doctor than a princess.

Brought to the screen by the same team who gave us The Gruffalo and The Highway Rat, this is an enchanting tale, beautifully narrated by Lenny Henry, with Tracey Ullman a delight as Zog’s long-suffering teacher Madame Dragon.

TV Times rating: *****

TV Times caught up with Zog creators Julia Donaldson and 
Axel Scheffler to find
out more…

Where did the inspiration 
for this story come from?

Julia: My publisher said, ‘Can we do dragons next?’ I thought of the words ‘Madame Dragon’ and they had a nice sound, so 
I decided she could be a teacher. My husband, Malcolm, 
is a doctor, so I thought Princess Pearl 
could have 
medical ambitions.

Do you have a way of getting into your characters?

Julia: I try to create something I can actually act out. With Zog, Malcolm was Zog and I was Madame Dragon. I was quite strict, so 
I like the way Tracey’s made her kinder.

Do you have any famous fans?

Axel: Prince William’s kids. It’s strange because they know us and yet they’re the
famous ones…