Tom Baker narrated “Tales of Aesop” re-released on Blu-Ray

By John Freeman on July 5, 2025 • ( 0 )

Out this month from AUK, available for preorder, is the Tales of Aesop – Special Edition Blu-Ray. This a welcome release for the beloved Tom Baker-helmed 1990s children’s classic, re-released under license from the show’s original creators.

Tales of Aesop – Special Edition Blu-Ray (AUK 2025)

Originally broadcast by the BBC over 13 episodes in 1990, Tales of Aesop starred the incredible Tom Baker (Doctor Who) as the narrator of the show. Now 91 years old, the beloved actor’s voice is still renowned as one of the most recognisable in show business.

Created in a gentler era, Tales of Aesop, written and produced by Graham Lee, features retellings of classic stories told with simple hand puppets with solid wooden heads. Children are introduced to Hubert Hare, Cedric Tortoise, Ferdy Fox, Becky Bird and a colourful cast of animals, all of whom bring these tales to life in a fun and accessible way.

Directed by Jeremy Cross, who went on to work on Channel 4’s Time Team, the series was produced by Matrix Productions in association with Cimadis Inc., and features a theme tune created by author Ann Bryant, who is still busy on many fronts today.

The series’ Executive Producer was Theresa Plummer-Andrews, a leader in bringing independently produced series to the BBC, who also served on Executive Producer on for The Animals of Farthing Wood, Noddy’s Toyland Adventures and Bob the Builder.

The first episode, “The Tortoise and the Hare”, premiered on BBC Two on 30th March 1990, at 3.20pm. Episodes were broadcast in the same timeslot every week for thirteen straight weeks, with the series concluding on the 22nd June. The series was quickly released on video by Tempo in September 1990, and repeated regularly for ten years on the BBC.

Tales of Aesop will be released as a special edition Blu-Ray and you can pre-order your copy now from AUK Direct.

The collection includes all 13 episodes of the television show, plus a newly recorded introduction and retrospective look at the programme from Tom Baker, exclusive to this special edition.

The series will be released on digital platforms later in 2025 without the exclusive content.

• Pre-order your copy of Tales of Aesop now from AUK Direct

Tales of Aesop Episodes

The Tortoise and the Hare
First broadcast: Friday 30th March 1990, 13:20 on BBC Two England

If it hadn’t been for the hare’s super fast lawn mower, there might never have been a race. Narrated by Tom Baker.

The Lion and the Mouse
First broadcast: Friday 6th April 1990, 13:20 on BBC Two England

If it hadn’t been for Boris falling asleep over his tea…

The Quack Frog
First broadcast: Friday 13th April 1990, 13:20 on BBC Two England

Not all frogs are what they are quacked up to be. A naughty frog pretends to have a cure for insect bites, but is soon found out.

The Fox and the Goat
First broadcast: Friday 20th April 1990, 13:20 on BBC Two England

Ferdie Fox can’t decide which of his sisters to invite for tea, so he decides to ask all of them.

Cry Wolf
First broadcast: Friday 27th April 1990, 13:20 on BBC Two England

When Hogwyn Hare takes the cake, he ends up getting more than he bargained for!

The Tortoise and the Bird
First broadcast: Friday 4th May 1990, 13:20 on BBC Two England

Cedric the tortoise is too wrapped up in his own dreams to “trifle” with his friends.

The Bear and the Travellers
First broadcast: Friday 11th May 1990, 13:20 on BBC Two England

When Betty and Norman go camping it’s almost too much to ‘bear’.

The Miser
First broadcast: Friday 18th May 1990, 13:20 on BBC Two England

Look out! Look out! Cyril the snatcher is about.

The Fox, the Bird and the Cheese
First broadcast: Friday 25th May 1990, 13:20 on BBC Two England

Ferdie Fox is thoroughly “cheesed off” when he finds that his birthday present has gone missing.

The Prophet
First broadcast: Friday 1st June 1990, 13:20 on BBC Two England

Mrs Bite turns over a new leaf at the village fete.

The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse
First broadcast: Friday 8th June 1990, 13:20 on BBC Two England

Two stories set at a village barn dance.

The Fox, the Wolf and the Sausages
First broadcast: Friday 15th June 1990, 13:20 on BBC Two England

Neither the Lion nor Mrs Bite can decide who won the sausages…

The Hares and the Treasure
First broadcast: Friday 22nd June 1990, 13:20 on BBC Two England

A treasure hunt leads to double trouble.

Episode information via BBC Genome

About the Author
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John Freeman

John is the founder of downthetubes, launched in 1998. He is a comics and magazine editor, writer, and Press Officer for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He also runs Crucible Comic Press.

Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine and Overkill for Marvel UK, Babylon 5 Magazine, Star Trek Magazine, and its successor, Star Trek Explorer, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics; and has edited several comic collections and graphic novels, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”, and Hancock: The Lad Himself, by Stephen Walsh and Keith Page.

He’s the writer of comics such as Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs”, with Dave Hailwood.