
BBC adapts David Walliams ‘Mr Stink‘ with Hugh Bonneville in the title role.
Downton Abbey and Twenty Twelve star Hugh Bonneville is to star as Mr Stink with David Walliams in the 60-minute BBC One adaptation of Walliams’ best-selling 2009 children’s novel.
Mr Stink tells the story of lonely 12-year-old Chloe, who befriends local tramp Mr Stink and invites him to hide out in her family’s garden shed. As Chloe struggles to make sure no-one sniffs out Mr Stink, she also has to cope with an over-bearing mum who is more interested in her own political ambitions than her daughter, her put-upon dad who has a secret of his own, her ‘perfect’ younger sister Annabelle and the nasty girls who make her life miserable at school.
But in this heart-warming and comic tale, Chloe soon discovers she is not the only one harbouring a secret and there is certainly more to Mr Stink than meets the eye… or nose.
Also joining the cast is comic actor Harish Patel (Run Fat Boy Run, Coronation Street) who plays one of Chloe’s few friends, middle-aged newsagent Raj. David himself will also make an appearance as the Prime Minister.
Hugh Bonneville says: “I’m delighted to be adding my own whiff to the odour that emanates from David Walliams… and his very funny, touching and thought-provoking story.”
David Walliams says: “I am thrilled that Hugh is playing Mr Stink. He is one of the most popular and talented actors around, and is the perfect person to bring out the character’s humour and sadness.”
Family comedy Mr Stink is being produced by BBC In-house Comedy Productions in association with David Walliams and his production company DEW Productions. It will be directed by Declan Lowney (Little Britain, Alan Partridge, Father Ted).
It was adapted for television by David Walliams with Simon Nye (Just William, Dr Who). The executive producer is Mark Freeland, Head of BBC In-house Comedy and the producer is Jo Sargent (Miranda, Absolutely Fabulous).
Filming will begin on Mr Stink in October on location in London and in the studio for transmission on BBC One later this year.