Little Crackers

Did You Know?

• The Meera Syal short was the UK's first ever scripted TV comedy broadcast in 3D.
• Moone Boy and Walking and Talking are full series based on Little Crackers shorts, commissioned for 6 episodes and 4 episodes respectively.
• A special behind-the-scenes look at the show was broadcast and made available on Sky Anytime.

Summary

In the films, stars recreate stories from their childhood with the help of rising young actors such as Madeleine Power as the young Catherine Tate. The films, lasting between 10 and 12 minutes each, include Catherine Tate reenacting an occasion when she mimicked singer Gary Glitter in a school nativity; Stephen Fry as a head teacher doling out corporal punishment to his younger self played by Daniel Roche; and Dawn French as the Queen Mother, whom she met at age four. Catherine Tate's Little Cracker, My First Nativity, was nominated for Best Comedy Programme at the British Academy Television Awards 2011, but was beaten by BBC Two's Harry and Paul.

Production

Sky1 ordered the series after the 2009 short film series 10 Minute Tales, which consisted of 12 silent shorts around eight minutes long, starring actors like Bill Nighy and directed by Ian Rickson. Two episodes came from Silver River: "First Kiss" with Julia Davis and "Satan's Hoof" with Julian Barratt. Tiger Aspect produced three more: "Better Than Christmas", "The Queen Mother's Visit" (also called "Operation Big Hat"), and "My First Nativity". The debut series marked the first time Catherine Tate, Julia Davis, and Bill Bailey directed.