DOUBLE ROLE
Gruffalo writer will join the cast of show based on her Princess Mirror-belle books, about a girl whose reflection comes to life
HER books have entertained millions and their TV adaptations have become staples of the screen, but now writer Julia Donaldson is stepping in front of the camera herself for a special cameo.
She’s appearing in the second series of CBBC’S Princess Mirror-belle, a magical drama about a young girl and her mischievous mirror image, which is based on Julia’s books.
The fun – and chaos – begins one day when shy Ellen is looking into the mirror and her reflection starts talking back to her, before stepping right out.
Julia will appear in the fourth episode on Thursday, December 8, when Ellen and Princess Mirror-belle come face-to-face with Ellen’s favourite author, Genevieve Brogan.
She says: “It wasn’t my idea, funnily enough, because I’m not slow to put myself forward.
“One of the earlier storylines involved a children’s writing workshop, and the director thought of me for the role of Genevieve, and I was delighted to have the opportunity again.
“I did enjoy it. It was a really interesting experience. I’m used to acting in things I’ve written, as I put on a lot of storytelling stage shows, although the Princess Mirror-belle episodes I appear in weren’t my original stories, but new ones created by other people.”
Julia is no stranger to acting: “I became stage-struck at the age of 12 when I understudied the fairies in an Old Vic production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and got to go on five times.
“There were some wonderful actors in it, including Tom Courtney and Judi Dench, and by the end of the run I could recite the whole play.”
■ The new CBBC series of Princess Mirror-belle starts on Monday, December 5