Move in with the Moomins
MOOMINVALLEY Sky one, 5.30pm
ReMeMbeR the Moomins? That funny little cartoon series, with weird white troll/hippopotamus creatures who lived in a pretty pastel-coloured land?
Originally created by Finnish author and artist Tove Jansson back in the 1940s, these Scandinavian beauties became a hit all over the world, adapted into dozens of cartoons and films.
Now they’re back for a new animated series, directed by Oscar winner Steve Box (of Wallace & Gromit Curse of the Were-Rabbit fame). It’s seriously sweet family-friendly fun, following the adventures of young Moomintroll, his parents Moominpapa and Moominmama, and all their various friends and relatives.
And Sky has assembled a seriously stellar cast list to give voice to these magical creatures, led by Kingsman star Taron Egerton, Gone Girl’s Rosamund Pike and Toast of London’s Matt Berry.
They’re joined in Moominvalley by a host of huge names, including Kate Winslet, Jennifer Saunders, Alison Steadman, Matt Lucas, Katie Leung, Will Self, Joe Wilkinson, Richard Ayoade, Warwick Davies and – in this first episode – Jennifer Saunders.
The comedy legend plays Mymble, who turns up at the Moomins’ house along with her brood of unruly children, ready to cause some chaos – especially for poor Moomintroll, who finds himself outsmarted and evicted from his bedroom by the feisty and fierce Little My (Bel Powley).
Over the course of the series, Moomintroll and co will explore their magical idyllic world and venture forth beyond Moominvalley into the dark forests, mysterious mountains and distant islands.