''I Was a Rat'' is a children's drama television series broadcast on

BBC One BBC One is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's flagship network and is known for broadcasting mainstream programming, which includes BBC News television bulletins, p ...

from 9 to 23 December 2001, based on the popular 1999 children's novel ''

I Was a Rat! or The Scarlet Slippers ''I Was a Rat! or The Scarlet Slippers'' is a children's novel written by British author Philip Pullman. It was published in 1999. Plot One evening, at the home of the cobbler old Bob and his washerwoman wife Joan, there is a knock at the door. ...

'' by Philip Pullman. It was aired in the Sunday tea-time slot which traditionally accommodates a children's drama series in the run-up to

Christmas Christmas is an annual festival commemorating Nativity of Jesus, the birth of Jesus, Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people Observance of Christmas by country, around t ...

. The series was produced by

Andy Rowley Andy Rowley (born 28 December 1959; Preston, Lancashire) is a British television producer known for his children's dramas, including ''Jeopardy'', which won a BAFTA Award for best children's drama in 2002, and '' Microsoap'', Prix Jeunesse winner ...

and starred Calum Worthy in the leading role, alongside Tom Conti and Brenda Fricker. It was adapted by Richard Carpenter, who won a BAFTA award for the work.

Synopsis

The series is set in the early 1920s, telling the tale of a young boy with a mysterious past who claims to be a rat. He is taken in off the streets by elderly couple Bob (Conti) and Joan (Fricker) who name him Roger and it soon becomes obvious that he is no ordinary child.

Cast and characters

* Calum Worthy as Roger/Ratty * Brenda Fricker as Joan Jones * Tom Conti as Bob Jones *

Ned Beatty Ned Thomas Beatty (July 6, 1937 – June 13, 2021) was an American actor and comedian. In a career that spanned five decades, he appeared in more than 160 films. Throughout his career, Beatty gained a reputation for being "the busiest actor in ...

as Mudduck * Stephen Ouimette as Wheedle * Katie Blake as Lady Aurelia Ashington/Mary Jane Potts * James Millard as Prince Richard *

Karl Pruner Karl Pruner is a Canadian actor whose most notable work is in portraying Canadian Prime Minister John Turner in the 2002 mini-series '' Trudeau''. Career Amongst his other work, he did voice acting as Beta Ray Bill in the short-lived animated ...

as Julian * Richard Graham as Charlie * Denis Lill as Sergeant Piggles * Don McKellar as Oliver Tapscrew

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:I Was A Rat (Tv Series) 2001 British television series debuts 2001 British television series endings 2000s British children's television series 2000s British drama television series 2001 Canadian television series debuts 2001 Canadian television series endings 2000s Canadian children's television series 2000s Canadian drama television series BBC children's television shows BBC television dramas British children's fantasy television series Canadian children's fantasy television series Television shows based on British novels English-language television shows