Filming has begun in Dewsbury, Yorkshire this week on a feature length Christmas special of CBBC’s popular series Hank Zipzer.
The 90-minute film 'Hank Zipzer’s Christmas Catastrophe' joins Hank (played by Nick James) in the run up to Christmas as he prepares for a new baby brother. But Hank’s life never runs smoothly and soon Miss Adolf (played by Felicity Montagu) is turning Mr Rock’s Rudolph the Rock’n’Roll Reindeer into a one-woman Christmas Carol – two school inspectors are getting injured in a bizarre sleighing accident and Mr Joy (played by Javone Prince) is trying to cancel Christmas altogether. In his attempt to drag triumph from the glittering jaws of doom, Hank will ice skate into disaster, nearly crash a Christmas tree into a crowd, get himself and his best friends arrested, get his favourite teacher sacked and lose the love of his life. This time, he really has let everyone down. Surely even Hank can’t get out this one. Luckily for us, there’s no way to tell Hank that.
Hank will once again be joined by Henry Winkler who will revive his role as Mr Rock, Hank’s favourite teacher.
Hank Zipzer’s Christmas Catastrophe is produced by Kindle Entertainment in association with Walker Productions and DHX Media with support from Screen Yorkshire’s Yorkshire Content Fund, and based on the book series written by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver.
The writer is Joe Williams and the director is Matt Bloom.
The writer is Joe Williams and the director is Matt Bloom.
Cheryl Taylor, Controller of CBBC, said: "Our fabulous standalone Xmas special will delight Hank’s growing army of fans and we're thrilled to have a full 90 minutes to enjoy his Christmas capers alongside partner in crime Henry Winkler who plays the irrepressible Mr Rock."
Anne Brogan, Kindle Entertainment said: “Hank’s Christmas Catastrophe will give the audience everything they love about the TV series - big laughs and big emotional moments - with the additional sparkle of a Christmas romance for Hank and the birth of a baby brother.”
The new feature length film will be shown on CBBC in December.