BBC One has announced that production has started on David Walliams’ latest book dramatisation The Boy In The Dress. Following on from the success of Christmas TV offerings Gangsta Granny and the BAFTA nominated Mr Stink, BBC One’s one hour special of David Walliams’ first children’s book The Boy In The Dress will air this festive season.
The Boy In The Dress is a co-venture between King Bert Productions and BBC In-house Comedy and will be filmed in London. It has been adapted by Kevin Cecil and Andy Riley alongside David Walliams himself and tells the story of a 12-year-old boy Dennis. He is an ordinary boy, who lives in an ordinary town – but he feels different. A chance view of a fashion magazine introduces him to a whole new world of colour and creativity, but can a boy wear a dress, and what will the Headmaster, his Dad, and his friends in the football team think if they find out?
The ensemble cast includes a debut from Billy Kennedy in the role of Dennis, Jennifer Saunders(Absolutely Fabulous), Tim McInnerny (Blackadder), Meera Syal (Goodness Gracious Me, The Kumars),Steve Spiers (Extras, Big School), James Buckley (The Inbetweeners), Felicity Montagu (I’m Alan Partridge),David Walliams (Little Britain, Big School) himself and an extra special cameo appearance from international supermodel Kate Moss.
David Walliams said: “We have put together a dream cast for this the first of my children's books. and for many still my best. It is a funny and poignant story about what is is to be different. I hope it will make everyone who sees it, young and old, stop and think.”
Mark Freeland, Controller, Fiction & Entertainment, BBC Production at the BBC added: “It's a real privilege to bring to screen another one of David Walliams' magical books. Christmas wouldn't be Christmas on BBC One without a man in a tatty coat, a granny on a souped up mobility scooter and now a boy in a dress.”
The programme is commissioned by Shane Allen, BBC Controller, Comedy Commissioning and Charlotte Moore, Controller, BBC One. The producer is Jo Sargent for King Bert Productions and Francis Gilson for the BBC, the executive producer is Mark Freeland for the BBC. Director is Matt Lipsey (Gangsta Granny, Psychoville, Little Britain).
