I Was a Rat

Lore & Background

The series is set in the early 1920s and tells 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 and Joan, who name him Roger, and it soon becomes obvious that he is no ordinary child. The cast includes Calum Worthy as Roger/Ratty, Brenda Fricker as Joan Jones, Tom Conti as Bob Jones, and others such as Ned Beatty as Mudduck and Stephen Ouimette as Wheedle.

Reader's Guide

I Was a Rat aired in the Sunday tea-time slot traditionally reserved for a children's drama series in the run-up to Christmas. Its adaptation by Richard Carpenter won a BAFTA award, marking a significant achievement for the production. The series stands as a notable example of a literary adaptation that expands upon a classic folk tale, offering a standalone sequel to Cinderella. Its broadcast on BBC One during the holiday season positioned it as a family-oriented program, and its basis in Pullman's acclaimed novel lent it literary credibility. The series remains a reference point for children's television adaptations of the early 2000s.

Did You Know?

• The series is also known as Cinderella and Me.
• It was broadcast on BBC One from 9 to 23 December 2001.

Literary Lineage and Adaptation

The 2001 television series I Was a Rat, also known by the title Cinderella and Me, sits at the end of a rich literary and folkloric chain. Its direct source is the 1999 children's novel I Was a Rat! or The Scarlet Slippers, written by Philip Pullman. Pullman's story functions as a stand-alone sequel to the classic Cinderella narrative, which has been shaped over the centuries by tellings from Charles Perrault (his version subtitled The Little Glass Slipper) and the Brothers Grimm. The leap from novel to screen was handled by writer Richard Carpenter, whose adaptation earned him a BAFTA award. The project was produced by Andy Rowley for BBC One, where it was scheduled in the network's traditional Sunday tea-time slot—a position long reserved for a children's drama series in the run-up to the Christmas holiday.

Story and Setting

Set in the early 1920s, the series follows a young boy with a mysterious past who insists that he is, in fact, a rat. His extraordinary claim and unusual nature become apparent almost immediately after he is taken in off the streets by an elderly couple, Bob and Joan Jones, who give him the name Roger. From the outset, it is obvious that he is no ordinary child, hinting at a deeper, more fantastical identity lurking beneath his streetwise exterior. The narrative carries forward the fairy-tale DNA of its Cinderella ancestors while transplanting the tale into a distinctly early-twentieth-century world, blending elements of mystery and wonder with the warmth of a found-family dynamic between the boy and his new guardians. The central mystery of Roger's true identity and past drives the drama forward across the series' run.

Cast and Ensemble

The series assembled a notable ensemble to bring the story to life. Calum Worthy took on the leading role of Roger, also referred to as Ratty, the enigmatic boy at the heart of the tale. The elderly couple who take him in, Bob and Joan Jones, were portrayed by Tom Conti and Brenda Fricker respectively, lending warmth and gravitas to the found-family dynamic. The supporting cast included Ned Beatty as Mudduck, Stephen Ouimette as Wheedle, and Katie Blake in the dual role of Lady Aurelia Ashington and Mary Jane Potts. James Millard appeared as Prince Richard, while Karl Pruner played Julian and Richard Graham took on the part of Charlie. Rounding out the principal cast were Denis Lill as Sergeant Piggles and Don McKellar as Oliver Tapscrew, ensuring that the world around Roger felt populated with a wide range of memorable characters.

Production and Broadcast Context

Produced by Andy Rowley, I Was a Rat was broadcast on BBC One over a two-week window, running from 9 to 23 December 2001. The scheduling was deliberate and traditional: the series occupied the Sunday tea-time slot, a position on the BBC schedule that has long been reserved for a children's drama series in the run-up to Christmas. This placement meant the show reached young audiences at a time when families were gathering for the holiday season, fitting the fairy-tale sensibility of the material. The two-week broadcast window gave the story a contained, event-like quality, allowing the narrative to unfold with a sense of urgency and closure that suits a children's drama of this scope. The production's placement in this specific cultural and seasonal context helped frame it as a seasonal treat for younger viewers.