Harry Sparkes, a 13-year-old student from Harpenden, Hertfordshire, has secured the lead voice role in Thomas & Friends: Railway Stories, a newly produced animated series. The production marks Sparkes’ debut in voice acting. He maintained secrecy around the project for nine months by telling classmates he was attending physiotherapy appointments for a foot injury.
The series features Henry Golding, known for his role in Crazy Rich Asians, as the narrator. Golding assumes the narrator position previously held by Sir Ringo Starr, whose performance became iconic in the franchise’s history. Pierce Brosnan also narrated a 2008 television movie special titled Thomas & Friends: The Great Discovery. Golding described his involvement as following “in the shadow of giants,” while noting the production aims to modernize the franchise while maintaining its core appeal.
Mattel, which owns the franchise, indicated that Railway Stories will present “a refreshed world of Sodor” while honoring the legacy established since the character’s debut in The Railway Series by Reverend Wilbert Awdrey in 1945. The initial special episode launches on YouTube later this month, with the series continuing on the Milkshake! channel in October. A full series is scheduled to premiere in early 2027.
Sparkes expressed enthusiasm about joining the franchise, noting his childhood connection to Thomas and his excitement about contributing to content for future generations of viewers.
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