Brand-new BBC Children’s and Education animation sees Judi Love and Julian Barratt voice fun woodland characters on a fun-filled adventure through the Magic Forest.
Super Happy Magic Forest is a fun for all the family comedy quest series featuring five heroes, brought together by their mutual love of questing, picnics and frolicking. Based on the popular books of the same name by Matty Long, Super Happy Magic Forest showcases the best of British storytelling that brings young and family audiences together through lots of laughs and fantasy adventures.
Julian Barratt stars as Hoofius the faun and self-proclaimed leader of the group, who is always dramatic and often playing his beloved panpipes. Judi Love voices Blossom the unicorn, the heart of the group and one who is partial to a bubble bath and a scone!
Joining Hoofius and Blossom is Herbert (voiced by Greg McHugh), the wise old gnome who likes to regale his friends with facts, figures and a smattering of awful jokes. Twinkle the Fairy (voiced by Jules de Jongh) is the young and impulsive fairy in the group, who enjoys a challenge, but can be prone to causing chaos. Joining the gang is Trevor (voiced by Spencer Jones), the wise cracking mushroom, who has all the smarts.
Each episode the heroes are sent out on an epic quest to protect Super Happy Magic Forest by the Council of Happiness, led by the not-so-happy Mr Friendlyface (voiced by Oliver Chris). Together the heroes will defeat villains, solve puzzles and riddles and have a jolly good time along the way as they learn how to be true heroes and be the best questers ever!
An international broadcast collaboration with BBC, RAI, ZDF, Canal+ and ABC Australia the 52 x 11 minutes series will bring to life the world created in the books, which were first published by Oxford University Press in 2015, in a colourful 2D animation for 7+ years. Produced by Tiger Aspect Kids & Family, with Movimenti Production, Monello Productions and Zodiak Kids & Family France (all part of Banijay Kids & Family). Exec Producers are Tiger Aspect Kids & Family’s MD Tom Beattie (Mr Bean: The Animated Series) and Jeff ‘Swampy’ Marsh (Phineas and Ferb).
Super Happy Magic Forest is the latest addition to BBC iPlayer’s high quality animation offering for young and family audiences, joining the likes of Quentin Blake’s Box of Treasures, Total Dramarama, Boy, Girl, Dog Mouse, Cat, Cheese, Grizzy and The Lemmings and Monster Loving Maniacs.
Super Happy Magic Forest will air on CBBC and BBC iPlayer on Monday 7 October.
Interview: Julian Barratt
Hoofius the faun sounds like quite the adventurous character. What was the most fun part about bringing his bold and outgoing personality to life?
Hoofius is full of energy! The fun part was really leaning into his incredible confidence. He’s always up for a quest, no matter how ridiculous or dangerous it might be.
There’s something freeing about playing a character who charges into things with such boundless enthusiasm. He’s one of those types who assumes everything’s going to work out .
You’ve played a variety of characters in your career—how does Hoofius compare to some of your previous roles?
Hoofius is definitely more upbeat and less introspective than some of the other characters I’ve played (who are often weighed down by existential dread and corduroy), whereas Hoofius is the polar opposite. He believes anything is possible. He lives for the next adventure or picnic.
What do you think kids will enjoy most about Super Happy Magic Forest?
I think kids are going to love the buoyant surreal chaos of it all. Anything can happen. There’s magic, weird creatures, strange lands, and a lot of humour. It’s bright, it’s colourful, and while it doesn’t take itself too seriously it manages to smuggle in some good lessons about team work and sharing.
Do you share Hoofius’ love of picnics and frolicking, or are you more of a stay-at-home hero?
Regarding picnics, I like my dinner indoors where the strawberries don’t blow away and random dogs don’t try to eat your sandwiches. but since playing Hoofius, I now frolic at least three times a week. It’s more fun than going to yoga and less expensive.
Pictures: Tiger Aspect
