Return of an old family favourite as the Moomin family hits the screen

Bel Powley waxes lyrical to Gemma Dunn about appearing as her childhood hero

Bel Powley, 27, joins a roster of famous faces in Moominvalley, a new family drama based on the cherished stories by Finnish-swedish artist Tove Jansson.

Can you introduce us to your character?

So Little My comes to join the Moomin family in the beginning of the show. She actually comes from a huge family with 20 brothers and sisters, and when she arrives at Moomin House, her mum gives her to the Moomins and she becomes their adopted daughter. Her and Moomintroll have this hilarious relationship whereby they are always mocking and picking at each other. On the surface, they pretend to find each other really annoying, but actually they love each other and couldn’t live without one another.

Little My is strong, mischievous and a bit bossy – do you admire those traits?

All of them! It was so funny when I got cast in the show – I was telling my friends about the character and they were all saying it couldn’t be more like me. I like to think of myself as independent and strongminded; I think most young girls think about themselves like that. She’s a good role model for young women.

So what do you think audiences can learn from Little My?

To be fiercely independent and never be afraid to be yourself, and to not listen to other people who might

0 Bel Powley stars in Moominvalley as Little My, below make you stray away from your own path and journey.

How did you prepare for the part?

I got asked to do it, and I wasn’t sure how before I met [director] Steve [Box] or the team. Then I went to have my first meeting with them – I was prepared to give them different voices – but as soon as I sat down, they said, ‘The reason we cast you is because we want your voice, not because you’re an actor that can do lots of different voices; we want Bel Powley’s voice to be Little My’. It’s so cool that’s how they cast it!

How did you enjoy working on an animation?

It’s actually quite freeing. There are less things you have to think about, so you can really focus on the sentiment of what your character is feeling. You don’t have to think about

“She’s a good role model for young women”

what you’re wearing or anything like that, so there’s more emphasis on your voice, but that’s when you need to have more direction. Our director is so good. He could give you one note to show you how to change one line, so it is all down to him. He breathes with you and has all the voices of all the other characters, so it brings out the best in you.

Were you a fan of the Moomins growing up?

I’ve known the Moomins since I was very young and I love Little My, so it was a dream come true. It’s really exciting being part of a revival. Moomins is loved all over the world, so it’s really cool to be a part of bringing it back. Everyone’s very excited about it!

Why do you think the Moomins has proved so popular across the generations?

What really strikes me about the Moomins is that it has adult themes; teaching kids quite grown-up themes in a soft way. The stories really teach children to think and understand and learn, without being too wishy-washy or babying them.

What do you hope audiences will take from Moominvalley?

I hope they take fun from it. I hope it makes people laugh and cry. The main thing is that it should make young people think about growing up, about loss and love and family – and families that are a bit different.

● Moominvalley is on Sky One and Sky Kids