Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter play the Fairy Godmother and Wicked Stepmother in Cinderella

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The Crown’s Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter to play the Fairy Godmother and Wicked Stepmother in charity panto alongside The Queen’s Gambit’s Anya Taylor-Joy as Cinderella

By Eleanor Sharples and Andrew Bullock For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Fresh from captivating Netflix viewers in their turn as Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret in The Crown’s fourth season, Olivia Colman and Helena Bonham Carter are taking on pantomime roles.

While Olivia, 46, will play the Fairy Godmother in a charity production of Cinderella, Helena, 54, will be the Wicked Stepmother.

Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime For Christmas is an online version of the much-loved story, raising money for charity while most pantos have been cancelled and most theatres across the UK remain dark, thanks to the pandemic.

Tis the season: Fresh from captivating Netflix viewers in their turn as Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Margaret in The Crown’s fourth season, Olivia Colman [pictured] and Helena Bonham Carter are taking on pantomime roles

In snaps from the performance, Olivia dons a halo and wings, while Helena, whose character name is Lady Devilia, wears a fur shawl, large sunglasses and a fascinator.

The Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy plays Cinderella in the panto, which will be shown on BBC2 on Christmas Eve at 8.15PM.

Real-life sister and brother Daisy May and Charlie Cooper are the Evil Step Sisters, while Guz Khan plays Buttons, Tom Hollander appears as Baron Hardup, Rege-Jean Page plays Prince Charming and Jimmy Akingbola is Dandini.

Little Britain star David Walliams is Major Domo and comedienne Aisling Bea appears as Mrs Snitch.

Wickedly entertaining: While Olivia, 46, will play the Fairy Godmother in a charity production of Cinderella, Helena, 54, [pictured] will be the Wicked Stepmother

Wickedly entertaining: While Olivia, 46, will play the Fairy Godmother in a charity production of Cinderella, Helena, 54, [pictured] will be the Wicked Stepmother

Leading lady: The Queen's Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy plays Cinderella in the panto

Leading lady: The Queen’s Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy plays Cinderella in the panto

Sneak peek: In snaps from the performance, Olivia dons a halo and wings

Meanwhile: Helena, whose character name is Lady Devilia, wears a fur shawl, large sunglasses and a fascinator

Sneak peek: In snaps from the performance, Olivia dons a halo and wings, while Helena, whose character name is Lady Devilia, wears a fur shawl, large sunglasses and a fascinator

The BBC promises ‘surprises and cameos aplenty’ – and even a pantomime horse.

The cast assembled online, with artist Quentin Blake creating illustrations to bring the panto to life for viewers, who will have the opportunity to donate to Comic Relief projects as they watch.

BBC2 controller Patrick Holland said: ‘This is a unique surprise at the end of a year when we all need cheering up.’

Funny man: David Walliams will be playing MajorDomo

Funny man: David Walliams will be playing MajorDomo

Also starring: David Tennant is also part of the panto line-up

Also starring: David Tennant is also part of the panto line-up

There he is: Tom Hollander appears as Baron Hardup

Here she is: Aisling Bea appears as Mrs Snitch

Co-stars: [L-R] Tom Hollander appears as Baron Hardup and Aisling Bea plays Mrs Snitch

Comic Relief founder Richard Curtis said: ‘We’re hugely grateful to BBC2 and the amazing cast for allowing us to do our first ever pantomime.

‘It’ll be very funny and merry – and also a great seasonal opportunity to raise crucial funds for the projects that will help the most vulnerable people, at home and abroad – especially now when Covid has made things harder than ever for many.’

Cinderella: A Comic Relief Pantomime For Christmas airs on BBC2 on Christmas Eve at 8.15PM.