Bagpuss, the saggy old cloth cat who starred in one of Britain’s most cherished children’s television series, is set to appear in a new film that will see the character awaken in the present day.
The project, currently in development, will be the first new Bagpuss production since the original 13-episode series aired in 1974. Producers said the film will mix live action and animation and will follow Bagpuss and his companions as they "stir from their slumber to find themselves in contemporary Britain" and embark on a "modern-day quest." The makers said the story and animation techniques will remain true to the spirit of the classic series.
The film is being developed with the estates of Bagpuss’s original creators, Oliver Postgate and Peter Firmin. It will bring back familiar characters including Professor Yaffle, a woodpecker, and Madeleine, the rag doll, alongside the title character. The production is being handled by Birmingham-based Threewise Entertainment, the company behind Nickelodeon’s Rock Island Mysteries, and is aiming for a 2027 release.
Emily Firmin, daughter of co-creator Peter Firmin and the child who appeared as Emily in the original series, said the return of Bagpuss was "incredibly moving." She described the character as more than a television figure, saying he had been "a friend who taught me about kindness, care, and imagination," and added she was "thrilled that new fans will have the chance to discover him, and that his magic will live on and be shared with the next generation."
In the original series, Emily would bring lost and discarded items to the shop where Bagpuss and his companions lived; each episode involved the toys investigating and identifying those objects. Bagpuss was introduced at the start of each episode as "the most important, the most beautiful, the most magical saggy old cloth cat in the whole wide world." Though only 13 episodes were made, frequent repeats helped the programme remain a staple of British childrens’ television.
Bagpuss has retained a notable cultural profile in the UK. A BBC poll in 1999 named the show the nation’s favourite children’s programme of all time, and a later poll in 2008 ranked Bagpuss as the nation’s favourite children’s television animal.
Producers have not yet announced further creative team details, casting, distribution partners or a specific release date beyond the 2027 target. They said the project aims to balance respect for the original series with techniques and storytelling that will appeal to contemporary audiences.
The announcement positions Bagpuss among a growing number of legacy children’s properties being revisited for new formats, with the production team emphasizing stewardship of the creators’ original vision as it adapts the character for a new generation.