British festive television has a particular tradition of pairing soft-edged children's literature with original music designed to pull at the heartstrings. For Channel 4, the latest addition to that canon is an adaptation of Judith Kerr's Mog's Bad Thing, and the producers have made an unexpected choice for its signature tune. Rebecca Lucy Taylor, recording under her Self Esteem moniker, has provided the vocals for an original piece written specifically for the seasonal special.
The track, titled I Wish That Things Could Be That Way Again, places Taylor alongside two long-established figures in British screen songwriting. Composer David Arnold, best known for his work across several James Bond films, handled the music, while veteran lyricist and Academy Award winner Don Black provided the words. Both writers have history with Kerr's fictional universe, having previously contributed to productions in the series. The resulting piece is billed as a wistful number, taking Taylor away from the rhythm-heavy arrangements and punchy choruses of her recent pop records and into theatrical, story-led territory that leans on her pure vocal range.
All three contributors have spoken warmly about the studio sessions. Taylor noted that joining the production was a delight, singling out the collaborative process with Arnold and Black as a genuine joy. Arnold expressed his affection for Kerr's books and credited Lupus Films for bringing him back to compose both the broader score and this particular song, calling Taylor glorious and brilliant in the process. Black was similarly complimentary about the partnership, noting that blending Mog, Arnold, and Self Esteem offered an ideal recipe for the project.
The film itself follows the Thomas household as they attempt to host a cat show out on the lawn. Unsettled by the noise and disruption, Mog commits what the story politely terms a bad thing before fleeing upstairs to seek refuge in the attic. Lupus Films is producing the broadcast, with Ruth Fielding and Camilla Deakin, whose past credits include The Snowman And The Snowdog, serving as producers. Robin Shaw, who previously took charge of Mog's Christmas, directs from an adapted screenplay by Joanna Harrison.
A familiar cast will provide the voices around Taylor's performance. Adjoa Andoh is back in the narrator's chair, while Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy return to voice Mr and Mrs Thomas. Debbie and Nicky Thomas are played by Amelie Law and Teddy Skelton. The supporting ensemble features Katherine Parkinson as Mrs Ramsbottom, John Thomson as Mr Bunce, Mawaan Rizwan as Ali, and Amelia Theodorou as Amy.
For Taylor, the recording represents one of her final commitments before stepping away from the promotional cycle for an extended period. Earlier in the year, she reflected publicly on the heavy mental and physical toll of relentless album promotion, explaining that the constant grind had left her exhausted, fed up, and thoroughly depressed. After wrapping up her festival appearances, she signaled an intention to take several months completely off to rest, breathe, and think about her future work, with a stated focus on creating pieces that feel beautiful and interesting rather than chasing industry momentum.
Before that break takes full effect, listeners will have one more release to digest. Her concert recording, A Complicated Woman: Live From Brixton Academy, is set for release on December 4. Sliding from that high-energy live document into a gentle storybook theme suggests an artist taking full control over the pace and character of her output.
