BBC Set to Premiere ‘Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures’ This December

A new animated series based on Sir Quentin Blake’s iconic books is set to air this December on the BBC, offering a blend of fun, friendship, and adventure. The series kicks off with Jack and Nancy, a special inspired by Blake’s 1969 story, where the beloved characters embark on a wild adventure that begins with a storm.

The teaser clip released recently showcases traditional hand-drawn animation that faithfully mirrors Blake’s distinctive illustration style. It shows Jack and Nancy on a cliff, watching as a ship sails away, only to be caught in a whirlwind of events as their food gets swept into the air. This leads to their disappearance into the storm, with the narrator, Adrian Lester, teasing, “And that was that, Jack and Nancy disappeared into the storm and were never seen again,” before clarifying with, “I’m kidding, I’m kidding.”

This marks the first of several episodes in Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures, all narrated by Lester. The series will feature other classic Blake stories, including Zagazoo—with Simon Pegg voicing the main character—and adaptations of Loveykins, Snuff, Mrs Armitage on Wheels, and Angel Pavement.

Directed by Gerrit Bekers with Massimo Fenati overseeing animation, the series will delight long-time fans of Sir Quentin’s works, combining his whimsical storytelling with charming new visuals.