Mathew Baynton & Louisa Harland Lead Cast of ‘MaeBee’, Launching 19 October on BBC and RTÉ
Skwigly
The new comedic pre-school series from Karrot Entertainment in London and Kavaleer Productions in Dublin announces its full cast, ahead of its broadcast premiere on 19th October on CBeebies and RTÉJr.
Louisa Harland (Orla in Derry Girls, and star of Hamnet and The Walsh Sisters) plays Ma-Mae, mother of main characters Mae and Bee, and Mathew Baynton (Ghosts, Horrible Histories, Taskmaster) plays Da-Nono, Mae and Bee’s gnomad father.
Further Ghosts alumni play a selection of comedic Green Garden residents, with Martha Howe-Douglas as Minni the firefly, Laurence Rickard as Burt-Bird the robin, and Jim Howick playing ‘King’ Gob, a gnome who believes he is a king, when he absolutely is not…
Derry Girls alumni are also out in full force with Ian McElhinney and Julia Dearden as Granda-Bill and Grand-Mae, and Tara Lynne O’Neill starring as Ma-Mouse, the head of the scurrying Mouse Train.
Ann Droid star Kathryn Hunter plays Great Grand-Mae, lending her unmistakable voice to the fourth generation in Mae’s family lineage, and The Thin Blue Line’s Mina Anwar plays Lesley, a snail with a magical bakery inside her shell!
West End and Broadway star Trevor Dion Nicholas (Aladdin’s Genie) plays Lionel the Frog, who gives wonderfully skewed life advice to Mae and Bee. He actually used to be a human, but was turned into a frog by Witch Linda, played deliciously by Clare Perkins (Silo, The Outlaws).
Comedian Fern Brady plays mischievous wood sprite Fossy, whilst Bec Hill stars as Marsha, the quirky Turtle Ferry (and co-wrote her introductory episodes!).
Guest appearances come from Sandra Dickinson (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy), Philip Jackson (Poirot), Colin McFarlane (Doctor Who), Marjolein Robertson (Marj) and Darren Foreman, AKA Beardyman.
L.A. Davis plays a blind tabby cat called Tiger who Mae and Bee adore riding around the neighbourhood on, as they meet a wide community of gnomes and creatures brought to life by the stage and screen talents of Maanuv Thiara, David Monteith, Katie Leung, Ayesha Antoine, Louis Martin, Hildur Magnusdottir and Sarah Lam.
Last but certainly not least, leading the child cast, we introduce seven-year-olds Elle McNicoll as the small-but-mighty Mae and Abeer Desai as Bee, who is a loveable fuzzy oddball! Both young leads make an exceptional debut, matching the charm and appeal of this fantastically experienced assembly of acting talent.
MaeBee is created by Tim and Rebecca O’Sullivan, and series produced by Jamie Badminton. A preview adventure will premiere at the BFI London Film Festival this weekend, before 24 episodes land on BBC iPlayer and RTÉ Player on Monday 19th October, just in time for half term.
It has been an enormous pleasure to work with so many of my favourite actors and comedians on MaeBee, rendering myself directorially star-struck on numerous occasions. Matching voice to the character is such an integral part of the show, many of which we had fantasy cast right from the start. So, we were thrilled when they agreed to come aboard the Mousetrain and bring so much heart and humour to the Green Garden.
Tim O’Sullivan, Series Director
I am in love with our cast for MaeBee! They each completely embody the characters they play with such vibrancy. It’s amazing to see the voices fitting the characters I designed so perfectly! We hope audiences will love Mae, Bee and their world too.
Rebecca O’Sullivan, Series Designer
MaeBee is a co-viewing delight that parents and caregivers will enjoy watching just as much as their young gnomes undoubtedly will, and the calibre of this cast make for a comedic treat that viewers of all ages will fall in love with.
Jamie Badminton, Series Producer
“MaeBee is packed with warmth, humour and imagination, and this exceptional cast brings the Green Garden to life with real charm. From beloved comedy talent to outstanding young performers Elle McNicoll and Abeer Desai, every voice helps create a world that families will love. We can’t wait for audiences to discover Mae and Bee’s adventures on CBeebies.
Kate Morton, Senior Head of Commissioning for CBeebies
The series was made possible with funding by Screen Ireland, Coimisiún na Meán, Government of Ireland, France Television Distribution and the UK Global Screen Fund.
MaeBee airs on CBeebies from Monday 19th October at 9:20am, with all episodes available on BBC iPlayer the same day.