Hank Zipzer – Christmas Catastrophe

Hank Zipzer – Christmas Catastrophe © Kindle Entertainment

CBBC has revealed that Hank Zipzer – Christmas Catastrophe, featuring multi-award-winning actor Henry Winkler, premiered on Monday 12th December 2017 at 4.30pm. The feature length film, which follows three hugely successful series on CBBC and iPlayer, filmed in Dewsbury & other West Yorkshire locations earlier this year with investment from Screen Yorkshire’s Yorkshire Content Fund.

Produced by Kindle Entertainment in association with Walker Productions and DHX Media, the 1 x 90-minute feature length film, inspired by the book series Hank Zipzer: The World’s Greatest Underachiever, written by Henry Winkler and Lin Oliver will bring festive fun for all the family and give fans old and new the chance to join Hank as he focuses on his next master plan: To have the Best. Christmas. Ever! He will once again be joined by Henry Winkler who will revive his role as Mr Rock, Hank’s favourite teacher.

Go to ‘Hank Zipzer Christmas Catastrophe’ on iPlayer

Filming Locations

Hank Zipzer Christmas Catastrophe filmed mainly at the former Birkdale School in Dewsbury. Filming also took place at Dewsbury town Centre, Bradford Ice Rink, Wakefield town centre and Leeds University.

Hank Zipzer – Christmas Catastrophe © Kindle Entertainment

The comedy drama, which has already enjoyed three hugely successful series on CBBC and iPlayer, follows the life of Henry ‘Hank’ Zipzer (played by Nick James) and is based on Henry Winkler’s own experiences as a young boy growing up with dyslexia. Hank is a boy whose glass is half full, but he just spills it everywhere. His brain works differently to those around him, and he has a great imagination, but doesn’t always see eye-to-eye with his parents and teachers. But, despite the daily challenges he encounters, Hank always manages to stay positive – and focused on his next masterplan… tomorrow is another day!

Hank Zipzer – Christmas Catastrophe © Kindle Entertainment

Hank Zipzer’s Christmas Catastrophe joins Hank in the run up to Christmas as he prepares for a new baby brother. But Hank’s life never runs smoothly and soon Miss Adolf (played by Felicity Montagu) is turning Mr Rock’s Rudolph the Rock’n’Roll Reindeer into a one-woman Christmas Carol – two school inspectors are getting injured in a bizarre sleighing accident and Mr Joy (played by Javone Prince) is trying to cancel Christmas altogether. In his attempt to drag triumph from the glittering jaws of doom, Hank will ice skate into disaster, nearly crash a Christmas tree into a crowd, get himself and his best friends arrested, get his favourite teacher sacked and lose the love of his life. This time, he really has let everyone down. Surely even Hank can’t get out this one. Luckily for us, there’s no way to tell Hank that.

Cheryl Taylor, Controller of CBBC, said: “Our fabulous standalone Xmas special will delight Hank’s growing army of fans and we’re thrilled to have a full 90 minutes to enjoy his Christmas capers alongside partner in crime Henry Winkler who plays the irrepressible Mr Rock.”

Anne Brogan, Co MD of Kindle Entertainment said: “Hank’s Christmas Catastrophe will give the audience everything they love about the TV series – big laughs and big emotional moments – with the additional sparkle of a Christmas romance for Hank and the birth of a baby brother.”

Hank Zipzer – Christmas Catastrophe © Kindle Entertainment

Note to Editors

Hank Zipzer’s Christmas Catastrophe was commissioned by Cheryl Taylor, Controller CBBC and is a Kindle Entertainment Production. The Executive Producer for CBBC is Amy Buscombe and Anne Brogan for Kindle Entertainment. Kindle Entertainment in association with DHX Media and Walker Productions, supported by Screen Yorkshire’s Yorkshire Content Fund. The writer is Joe Williams and the director is Matt Bloom. It will be shown on CBBC in December.