For generations of British children, the gentle, pink-and-white striped cat known as Bagpuss has been a comforting symbol of kindness, curiosity, and friendship. Now, more than fifty years after first dozing off in a sepia-toned shop window, Bagpuss is set to awaken once again—this time on the big screen, in a new film that promises to blend nostalgia with a fresh, contemporary twist.
On September 9, 2025, it was officially announced that Bagpuss, the beloved character from the iconic 1974 BBC children’s series, will return in a feature film that combines live action and animation. This marks the first new Bagpuss production since the original 13-episode series, which, despite its brevity, has attained legendary status in British popular culture. According to BBC News, the new film is being developed by Birmingham-based Threewise Entertainment, with a projected release date in 2027.
Bagpuss’s original run may have been short, but its impact has been profound. Created by the celebrated duo Peter Firmin and Oliver Postgate, the show was filmed in Firmin’s barn in Blean, Kent, and featured a cast of endearing characters: Bagpuss himself, Madeleine the rag doll, Gabriel the toad, and the scholarly woodpecker Professor Yaffle, among others. Each episode began with Emily, played by Firmin’s own daughter, bringing a lost or broken item into the shop, where Bagpuss and his friends would come to life and set about mending it. The show’s gentle, imaginative storytelling and folk-inspired music quickly won the hearts of viewers, and in 1999, Bagpuss was voted the nation’s all-time favourite children’s programme in a BBC poll.
The forthcoming film will serve as a sequel to the original Victorian-set series. This time, Bagpuss and his friends will “stir from their slumber to find themselves in contemporary Britain,” as described by the production company. The story promises a “modern-day quest that blends heartfelt storytelling, comedy, and music, while staying true to the spirit of the classic series.” Fans old and new can expect Bagpuss and his companions to continue their timeless mission of mending lost and broken things, now set against the backdrop of modern life.
Importantly, the new project is being developed in close collaboration with the estates of the original creators. Emily Firmin, who was the girl in the original series and is the daughter of Peter Firmin, expressed her deep personal connection to the character and her excitement about the film’s potential. In a statement quoted by The Independent, she said: “Bagpuss was an integral part of my childhood. To me he wasn’t just a character on the screen, he was a friend who taught me about kindness, care, and imagination. To see our most magical cat return now is incredibly moving and I’m 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.”
The new film’s development also received the blessing of Daniel Postgate, the Bafta-winning writer and son of Oliver Postgate, before his passing in June 2025. According to The Guardian, Daniel Postgate had previously been protective of his father’s legacy, having blocked a proposed CGI television reboot in 2009 because he feared it would be a “lightweight” remake. He was quoted as saying that CGI had “a slightly lurid quality, even at the best of times.” The involvement and approval of the Postgate and Firmin estates have reassured fans that the reboot will remain faithful to the gentle, whimsical spirit of the original.
Michael Ford, chief executive of Threewise Entertainment, emphasized the company’s commitment to honoring Bagpuss’s legacy. “Bagpuss was a ‘saggy old cloth’ with many a tall tale to tell of grand adventures past and we’re very proud and excited to be bringing this iconic character back to life with the blessing of both the original creators’ estates,” Ford told Radio Times. “This family movie will aim to rouse the sleepy old cat from his slumber and reunite him with his spirit of adventure for a fun and heartfelt quest that will delight fans old and new.”
The production has already attracted investment from Creative UK via the West Midlands IP Fund, part of the West Midlands Combined Authority. This backing not only underscores the cultural significance of Bagpuss but also highlights the film’s potential to reach a new generation of viewers while satisfying the nostalgia of longtime fans.
While the original series was primarily stop-motion with some paper cutout and conventional animation, the new film will employ a blend of live action and animation. Producers have promised to stay true to the original’s visual and narrative style, even as they update the setting and techniques for a modern audience. The story will again revolve around the central themes of care, creativity, and community—the very qualities that have made Bagpuss such an enduring figure in children’s media.
The legacy of Bagpuss extends far beyond its thirteen episodes. The show’s influence can be seen in later British children’s classics that made the leap from television to film, such as Postman Pat, Wallace & Gromit, Fireman Sam, and Thomas the Tank Engine. Musicians, too, have paid homage: the 2003 Radiohead single “There, There” features the subtitle “The Boney King of Nowhere,” a direct nod to a song from Bagpuss.
For many, Bagpuss is more than just a children’s character. He is, as described at the start of every episode, “the most important, the most beautiful, the most magical saggy old cloth cat in the whole wide world.” The prospect of his return to the screen has sparked excitement and a touch of emotion among those who grew up with the original series, as well as curiosity from younger viewers who will encounter his gentle wisdom for the first time.
As the film moves through development, the creative team faces the challenge—and the privilege—of reintroducing Bagpuss to a society that has changed dramatically since the 1970s. Yet the core message of the show—that lost things can be mended, and that kindness and imagination are timeless virtues—remains as relevant as ever. With the involvement of the original creators’ families and a clear commitment to the spirit of the classic series, Bagpuss’s new adventure looks set to enchant audiences all over again.
Bagpuss’s sleepy eyes may soon open to a world that’s moved on, but his gentle magic—and the love of fans—remains undimmed by time.
