Hugh Bonneville

We are delighted to announce this late addition to this year's festival programme. On Sunday 11th October morning we will be celebrating the release of beloved Downton Abbey and Paddington star Hugh Bonneville's second novel for children with this special event for adults and children alike.

Hugh will be in conversation with children's author and performer Emma Swan, talking about his new book Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea, the latest adventures of his unlikely young hero, Rory Sparkes. In Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea, Rory discovers a series of secret coded messages hidden inside a neighbour’s recipe book and becomes convinced the mysterious La Brucette family are involved in a covert conspiracy.

Then things get even stranger. His mum, his teachers and seemingly every adult around him suddenly become obsessed with drinking a new — and frankly disgusting — brand of tea. Could Rory finally have stumbled across a genuine spy plot?

Packed with mystery, mischief and laugh-out-loud moments, Hugh Bonneville’s new book is illustrated by Loretta Schauer and is perfect for young fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Horrid Henry and stories where children are considerably more switched-on than the grown-ups.

Join Hugh and Emma for a lively in-conversation event full of storytelling, spies, secret codes and suspicious cups of tea, as he talks about creating Rory’s world, brings the story to life and answers questions from the audience.

Recommended for ages 7–11 and their families. Children go free and their adults just pay £2.50 to accompany them. Tickets for adults attending without a child are £10 Standard / £5 Students/Benefits (UC,PIP,DLA,PC).

Doors open at 9.40am. Event lasts 45-50 minutes.

To guarantee your signed copy of Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea please add with your ticket. These will be collected on arrival.

Copies will be available to purchase on the day, along with Hugh's other books. from Harris & Harris Books.

Signing will take place following the event for 45 minutes only - so having your book ready to be the first in the queue is advisable.

Format: Interview and presentation

Themes: Fiction, Children, New Voices

Hugh Bonneville 

Books: Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room, Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea, Playing Under the Piano

Hugh Bonneville is an acclaimed British actor known for his numerous TV and movie roles, which include the Earl of Grantham in Downton Abbey, a role which earned him nominations for both a Golden Globe and two Emmys. He’s also known across the world as Paddington’s Mr Brown across three major feature films. Further credits include Twenty Twelve, W1A and The Gold. In 2022 he released his memoir, Playing Under the Piano, which was praised as ‘Comedy gold’ by the Sunday Times. He now writes for children too, with Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room released in 2025, and a second book in the series, Rory Sparkes and the Spy Who Loved Tea out in October 2026.

Emma Swan 

Books: Cruise Ship Kid: Thief at Sea!, Cruise Ship Kid: Kidnap at Sea!

Emma Swan is a writer, actor, award-winning comedian and West-End star of Horrible Histories. Originally from Rotherham, she also has a slightly unhealthy Yorkshire tea addiction! Her theatre work has been performed at the Arcola, the Soho Theatre and Theatre Royal Stratford East. She is also a lyricist and won Best Newcomer at the Musical Comedy Awards.

In the West End, she has performed at the Garrick, Apollo and Barbican theatres and her other acting credits include the RSC and Doctor Who. Emma also narrates many audiobooks and has a very professional studio in her flat that may or may not be made out of sofa cushions and a duvet.

Emma's bestselling debut children's book, Cruise Ship Kid: Thief at Sea!, based on her childhood growing up on cruise ships, was a Waterstones Children's Book of the Month and won both the Newcomer and the Readers' Choice at the Books are My Bag Readers Awards in 2025.

Tickets

Kids Go Free
Accompanying Adult: £2.50
Adults attending without children £10