Worzel Gummidge 2021 cast: who stars in BBC series with Mackenzie Crook and India Brown, and when is it on TV?

People of a certain generation will remember Worzel Gummidge as the walking, talking scarecrow who starred in a series by the same name from 1979 to 1981.

The character, first created by author Barbara Euphan Todd in 1936, returned to our screens in 2019 and another two specials have now been made for the BBC.

Actor, writer and producer Mackenzie Crook will reprise the title role for the specials, having debuted his reimagined Worzel in 2019.

So, who else stars in the 2021 reboot of Worzel Gummidge? This is what you need to know.

Worzel Gummidge 2021 cast

Mackenzie Crooks

Crooks will star as Worzel Gummidge, the scarecrow who helps his siblings, John and Susan, save Scatterbrook farm.

While Mackenzie has turned his hand to writing and producing as well as acting for the new BBC series, he is better known for his various roles in award winning films and series.

You may recognise him as Gareth Keenan in The Office, Ragetti in the Pirates of the Caribbean films or Orell in the HBO series Game of Thrones.

India Brown as Susan

India Brown will also return to Scatterbrook farm for the two specials, having previously played Susan in the 2019 reboot.

Brown is a child actress whose first acting gig was as an extra in Birds of a Feather in 2014, before becoming better known after starring in two episodes of Silent Witness.

She has since starred in CBBC show Hetty Feather, as Lizzie.

Thierry Wickens as John

14-year-old Wickens got his acting debut in the 2019 version of Worzel Gummidge, as his brother John.

He has not starred in any other series to date, according to IMBd.

Michael Palin as The Green Man

National treasure Sir Michael Palin, will star as The Green Man, the inventor of the scarecrows.

He first took up the role in 2019, at the time describing the series as “an oasis of calm”, adding: “it’s warm and friendly and extremely silly.”

Palin continued: “it’s kind of different in tone from an awful lot that is on television, because it’s usually in your face, noise… it (Worzel Gummidge) is just calm, and you have to listen and you have to watch.

“And, I think the more TV like that the better really, otherwise we’re just getting everyone shouting for attention; ‘Look at me, look at this programme, go and look at that channel’.”

Palin, 78, is best known for the 1980s Monty Python series, which he wrote with fellow comedian Terry Jones.

He is also a keen traveller and has made several travelling documentaries.

Zoë Wanamaker as Lady Bloomsbury Barton

Stage actress Wanamaker plays the eccentric lady of the manor, Lady Bloomsbury.

Zoe is the daughter of American actor and producer Sam Wanamaker, and frequently stars in shows for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre.

She has earned  two Olivier Awards and seven nominations, along with four Tony nominations for as well as  BAFTA nominations for her roles in the original Prime Suspect and the romantic comedy drama Love Hurts.

Her TV credits include Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Mr Selfridge and as Madam Hooch in the first Harry Potter film.

Steve Pemberton is back as Mr Braithwait

Pemberton is best known for his work in The League of Gentlemen, Whitechapel, Midsomer Murders and Doctor Who, among others.

Most recently, his work has included starring in BAFTA-award winning anthology series Inside No 9.

He plays the role of Mr Braithwaite for Worzel Gummidge, the grumpy owner of the farm who is unaware of the scarecrow’s ability to come to life.

Rosie Cavaliero as Mrs Braithwaite

Mr Braithwaite, the no nonsense lady of Scatterbrook farm, is played by Cavaliero.

Rosie is best known for her role as the troubled nurse Marion Kelsey in the second series of Unforgotten, the jilted wife Wendy in John Cleese sitcom Hold the Sunset and DS Susan Reinhart in ITV’s Prey.

Vicki Pepperdine as Aunt Sally

Worzel’s Aunt Sally has been left to decay in a museum. Mackenzie’s depiction of Aunt Sally is much closer to that of the character in the books, unlike in the ITV series from the 1980s, in which she was rewritten as Worzel’s love interest.

Pepperdine is not only an actor, she also co-wrote BAFTA TV award winning series Getting On, a comedic look into hospital care which she wrote with fellow comedians Jo Brand and Joanna Scanlan.

She also starred in the BBC series, as geriatric care consultant Dr Pippa Moore. Other roles include as  Princess Anne in Channel 4 comedy The Windsors and in Julias Davis’ comedy series Camping and Nighty Night.

Comedian and Strictly 2020 winner Bill Bailey will also make an appearance as Mr Peregrine, and Netflix’s A-list star Nneka Okoye features as Calliope Jane.

When is Worzel Gummidge back on TV?

The BBC series returns for two special, airing on BBC One on Tuesday 28 December and Wednesday 29 December at 7.15pm.

Both episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer from 28 December.