Legendary children’s TV character Mr Benn set for live-action big-screen film from I Swear filmmaker

The beloved animated character Mr. Benn is getting a live-action movie, to be directed by award-winning filmmaker Kirk Jones.

David McKee first introduced the character of Mr. Benn in a series of books, with the initial one appearing in 1967.

Mr. Benn was a remarkably ordinary man known for his suit and bowler hat, but his life took a turn for the extraordinary every time he stepped into a special costume shop. Each visit launched him into a brand new adventure.

The shop owner encourages him to try on a special outfit. When he does, he steps through a hidden door in the changing room and finds himself in a world that matches the costume. Each adventure he has in this new world teaches a valuable lesson for kids.

Soon after the book came out, the BBC turned it into a cartoon TV show that aired from 1971 to 1972.

Despite lasting just 13 episodes, the series was a huge hit and frequently re-aired. It remains a beloved classic of British children’s television, consistently appearing on lists of the best kids’ shows ever made.

The story is being adapted for the screen again, this time as a live-action film. Production is scheduled to begin later this year, with filming starting in early 2027.

Kirk Jones, known for directing films like Nanny McPhee, Waking Ned Devine, and his recent work on I Swear, is now involved with the project.

I was really drawn to this new movie because I instantly connected with the main character and loved the idea of bringing the story to life as a live-action film. It just felt right from the start.

I loved watching Mr. Benn when I was growing up, and I immediately knew it would be wonderful to bring his adventures to life for a new audience with a live-action film.

According to Jones, Mr. Benn has an extraordinary method of traveling to different times and places. He journeys to both the past and the future, tackling big challenges with a gentle, understanding, and practical approach.

After my previous work on ‘I Swear,’ I’m looking for a project that’s funny and engaging, but also helps people concentrate on what really matters in today’s busy world.

“If all goes to plan, Mr Benn might even save the world.”

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David McKee first created four Mr Benn adventures – Red Knight, Gladiator, Pirate, and Zoo Keeper – and he both wrote and illustrated them all.

More than three decades after the original series, a fifth Mr. Benn book was released in 2001. The author suggested he planned to write more, but sadly, no further books were published before his passing in 2022.

The McKee family, regarding the new Mr. Benn movie, shared that the project meant a lot to their father, who often spoke about it and really wanted to see it come to life.

This project has been steadily gaining traction and all the elements are finally falling into place. We’re incredibly happy to welcome Kirk Jones to the team to provide valuable leadership, and we’re especially excited to return to Festive Road, the place where we first started.

Authors

Phoebe Kowhai BarnesFreelance Writer

Phoebe Kowhai Barnes is a freelance writer specializing in pop culture and entertainment for TopMob. Before that, she was a Senior Assistant Editor at The Tab, where she oversaw their local team. She holds a BA (Hons) degree in English Literature from the University of Nottingham.

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2026-03-25 15:04

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