John Boyega, Nicholas Hoult, James McAvoy Join Netflix, BBC’s ‘Watership Down’

Four-part animated drama is based on Richard Adams’ novel of the same name

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Netflix and BBC have teamed up to produce a four-hour miniseries adaptation of Richard Adams’ classic novel “Watership Down.”

The all-star voice cast includes John Boyega, James McAvoy, Nicholas Hoult, Gemma Arterton and Ben Kingsley.

“We jumped at the chance to get in early and work alongside the BBC and 42 to bring this classic English tale to our members around the world,” said Netflix’s VP of global television Larry Tanz in a statement. “This novel presentation of Adam’s work pairs great talent with beautiful animation and will delight existing fans and capture a whole new audience for this timeless story.”

The classic children’s tale follows a band of rabbits on their flight from the intrusion of man and the certain destruction of their home. Led by a stouthearted pair of brothers, they journey forth from their native Sandleford Warren through the harrowing trials posed by predators and adversaries, toward a promised land and a more perfect society.

McAvoy will voice Hazel, Hoult will voice Fiver, Kingsley will voice General Woundwort, Boyega will voice Bigwig and Arterton will voice Clover, and the rest of the cast includes Miles Jupp as Blackberry, Freddie Fox as Captain Holly, Olivia Colman as Strawberry and Anne-Marie Duff as Hyzenthlay.

The new adaptation was written by Tom Bidwell and directed by Noam Murro. The new “Watership Down” is a co-production between BBC One and Netflix and produced by 42 and Murro’s Biscuit Films.

The miniseries will be distributed by BBC in the UK and Netflix internationally.

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