Harry Sparkes, 13, Debuts as Thomas the Tank Engine in New Animated Series
Harry Sparkes, a 13-year-old from Harpenden, Hertfordshire, lends his voice to Thomas the Tank Engine in the new animated series Thomas & Friends: Railway Stories, which marks a return to 3D animation. He shares the screen with Henry Golding, who takes on the narration, a position once filled by Sir Ringo Starr. For nine months, Sparkes kept his recording sessions a secret from his peers, pretending to attend physiotherapy. He shared his enthusiasm for voicing Thomas, a beloved character from his childhood. According to franchise owner Mattel, the series aims to rejuvenate Sodor while respecting its history since 1945. Golding acknowledged the difficulty of succeeding legends like Starr and Pierce Brosnan. The series will premiere on YouTube before airing on Milkshake! in October, with a complete series set to launch in early 2027.
Key facts
- Harry Sparkes, 13, from Harpenden, Hertfordshire, voices Thomas the Tank Engine in Thomas & Friends: Railway Stories.
- The new animated series returns Thomas and his friends to 3D animation.
- Henry Golding narrates the series, a role previously held by Sir Ringo Starr.
- Sparkes kept his weekly recording sessions secret from classmates for nine months, claiming he was attending physiotherapy for a foot injury.
- Mattel owns the franchise and said the series will introduce fans to a refreshed world of Sodor.
- The character first appeared in The Railway Series by Reverend Wilbert Awdry.
- Pierce Brosnan narrated the 2008 movie special Thomas & Friends: The Great Discovery.
- The series launches on YouTube with a special episode before airing on Milkshake! in October, with a full series debuting in early 2027.
Entities
Artists
- Harry Sparkes
- Henry Golding
- Sir Ringo Starr
- Pierce Brosnan
- Reverend Wilbert Awdry
Institutions
- Mattel
- YouTube
- Milkshake!
- BBC
Locations
- Harpenden
- Hertfordshire
- Sodor