Iconic UK kids’ series Bagpuss set to return to the screen in modern-day film

Bagpuss has been named the UK’s favourite children’s TV series

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Bagpuss, the cloth cat star of the classic UK kids’ television series of the same name, is to star in a new film mixing animation with live action.

The as-yet-untitled project is being produced by Birmingham-based indie Threewise Entertainment, the makers of CBBC short film Freestyle.

The film, which is currently in development, is being developed with the estates of Bagpuss’s original creators, Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin. It will see Bagpuss awaken from his sleep and find himself in contemporary Britain, where he’ll embark on a new adventure with his friends, woodpecker Professor Yaffle and rag doll Madeleine.

It has received investment from Creative UK via the West Midlands IP Fund, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority.

The original 13-part series of Bagpuss, produced by Smallfilms, screened on UK public broadcaster the BBC in 1974. Made using stop-frame animation, the show topped a 1999 poll to be named the UK’s favourite children’s TV series.

An attempt to create a CGI TV reboot of Bagpuss in 2009 was blocked by Oliver Postgate’s son Daniel, who said he did not want to see a “lightweight” remake.

The planned film sequel is scheduled to deliver in 2027.