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Feb 13 | 3 min readEveryone’s favourite scarecrow is making his return to the small screen with a new adaptation of Worzel Gummidge.
The story is based on Barbara Euphan Todd’s 1930s books and was a popular TV series which ran from 1979 to 1981 and starred Jon Pertwee as the animated scarecrow and Una Stubbs as his girlfriend, Aunt Sally.
Here’s all you need to know about the revamped Worzel and who will play him.
When is Worzel Gummidge on TV?
This new adaptation of the Barbara Euphan Todd stories won’t be a full series, but we do have two hour-long films to look forward to.
So far, the air date hasn’t been announced, but keep checking back to see when the films will hit schedules at BBC One.
What will happen in the new episodes?
Episode 1: The Scarecrow of Scatterbrook
In the first episode, we’re introduced to Worzel Gummidge, a scarecrow who comes to life under extraordinary circumstances.
Children Susan and John have just moved to Scatterbrook and are amazed to find that the scarecrow of Ten Acre Field can move and speak – although he is equally surprised to find that they aren’t scarecrows like him.
Their worlds should never have collided, but the seasons have stopped, the harvest hasn’t arrived, and it’s up to the trio to put things right.
Episode 2: The Green Man
Creator of scarecrows and keeper of scarecrow lore The Green Man comes to Scatterbrook in episode two.
He isn’t at all impressed that Worzel Gummidge has been making friends with humans, and has a lot to say about it.
But meanwhile, Worzel has other things on his mind as Lady Bloomsbury Barton is holding a fete with a scarecrow competition, and he’s determined to win, beating his rival Soggy Bogart.
Who will play Worzel Gummidge?
Star of The Office and The Detectorists Mackenzie Crook writes, directs and stars as Worzel Gummidge in this new adaptation.
He said: “I’m thrilled to be back working with the BBC and many members of the Detectorists team to bring Worzel Gummidge to a new generation of viewers and reintroduce him to old friends.
“Adapting Barbara Euphan Todd’s books into these two films has been a joy and I’ve completely fallen for her charming, irreverent scarecrow.
“Fingers crossed for a glorious English summer as we head out to Scatterbrook Farm and Worzel’s Ten Acre Field.”
No other cast have been announced yet.
Worzel Gummidge will air on BBC One.
