Watership Down (2018)
A stunning BBC One animated miniseries bringing Richard Adams' beloved rabbit epic to life with an extraordinary all-star British voice cast.
Watership Down - Series Information
- Original Title: Watership Down
- First Air Year: 2018
- Last Air Year: 2018
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Animation, Drama, Family
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 100 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 2
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: December 22, 2018 (United States - TV-PG), December 22, 2018 (United Kingdom - 12), December 22, 2018 (Germany - 12), December 22, 2018 (Italy - T)
- Networks: BBC One
- Production Companies: Biscuit Filmworks, Brown Bag Films, 42, Prana Studios
- Production Countries: India, Ireland, United Kingdom, United States of America
- Alternative Titles: Unten am Fluss (DE), Στο Λόφο του Γουότερσιπ (GR), ウォーターシップ・ダウンのウサギたち (JP)
Watership Down - Plot
Fleeing their doomed warren, a group of rabbits struggle to find and defend a new home.
Watership Down - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see the epic journey begin:
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Watership Down - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- James McAvoy
- Nicholas Hoult
- John Boyega
- Peter Capaldi
- Rosamund Pike
- Daniel Kaluuya
- Olivia Colman
- Gemma Arterton
- Ben Kingsley
- Miles Jupp
Writers
- Tom Bidwell
Executive Producers
- Rory Aitken
- Josh Varney
- Ben Pugh
- Eleanor Moran
Watership Down - FAQs
Is Watership Down based on a book?
The 2018 miniseries is a faithful adaptation of Richard Adams' beloved 1972 novel of the same name. Adams' book follows a band of rabbits fleeing the destruction of their warren and searching for a safe new home, and has been celebrated as a classic of English literature for decades.
Who voices Hazel in Watership Down 2018?
James McAvoy lends his voice to Hazel, the courageous and resourceful rabbit who leads his companions to safety. McAvoy brings warmth and quiet authority to the role, anchoring the emotional core of the story alongside Nicholas Hoult as the prophetic Fiver and Ben Kingsley as the menacing General Woundwort.
Where can you stream Watership Down?
Watership Down is available to stream on Netflix and Netflix Standard with Ads. It can also be watched for free through Hoopla. Availability may vary depending on your region, so check your local streaming services for the most up-to-date options.
Is Watership Down 2018 suitable for young children?
Rated TV-PG, the miniseries is appropriate for older children and families, though parents should be aware it contains dark themes, peril, and some intense scenes. Like the original novel, it doesn't shy away from the harsh realities of survival, making it better suited for older kids and adults.
How many episodes does Watership Down have?
The 2018 BBC One miniseries consists of two feature-length episodes, each running approximately 100 minutes. Together they form a complete, self-contained adaptation of Richard Adams' novel, originally broadcast on BBC One over the Christmas period in December 2018.
How was Watership Down 2018 received by critics?
Critical reception was largely positive, with reviewers praising the exceptional voice cast and the emotional fidelity to Adams' source material. The stunning CGI animation drew some debate, but the performances — particularly McAvoy, Kingsley, and Colman — and the story's emotional depth earned widespread admiration from audiences and critics alike.
Who wrote the Watership Down 2018 miniseries?
The screenplay was written by Tom Bidwell, who adapted Richard Adams' novel for the screen. Bidwell crafted a script that preserves the epic scope and emotional weight of the original story while condensing it into two feature-length episodes for BBC One's Christmas 2018 broadcast.
What are similar shows to Watership Down?
If Watership Down resonated with you, Lost Ollie (2022) offers a similarly emotional animated journey with themes of loss and belonging. For classic animated adventures, Timon and Pumbaa (1995) and Alvin and the Chipmunks (1983) provide lighter fare, while All Creatures Great and Small (1978) shares the British countryside charm.
More About Watership Down
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