Fox (Farthing Wood)

Fox is a fictional character from the animated children's television series The Animals of Farthing Wood based upon the books of the same name by author Colin Dann.

He is the only character to appear in all 39 episodes of the animated series and is voiced by Rupert Farley, who also voices Bold, Plucky, and Friendly and other characters.

Personality

Fox cares deeply for his friends who traveled with him. He has a special bond with Badger, who acts as second in command of the group to Fox. He appears to like a joke every now and again, however he can snap and gets angry at too much messing about. He is most annoyed by Weasel, something which contributes to her departure from the park in series three.

The Journey

Fox is the elected leader for the animals journey to White Deer Park, something he often seems to regret. When Vixen tells him that she finds it noble, Fox admits he thinks of it more as an annoyance.

Fox meets his mate, Vixen, after becoming separated from the group. Vixen originally agrees only to stay with him until he is reunited with his friends, but when the two separate and follow different paths, Vixen returns to join him. Following this, both are chased by a hunt. Fox is saved by Owl and Kestrel, who drive the dogs away, but he is then horrified to learn that the hunt has turned away to follow Vixen. She is then rescued by Adder, although the latter is reluctant to admit she was doing anything other than saving her own life. As Fox tried to head off the hunt and lead them away from Vixen, she agrees to become his mate.

It is Fox's idea to go into a town to forage for food when the animals are crossing poisoned fields. On this trip, he becomes separated from the party when he and Vixen are chased by dogs. He managed to lose the dog's by crossing a railway just ahead of a train, but is late back. Badger is confident he will return, although Vixen is more worried. Fox returns just in time to lead the animals to safety after they become stranded in a field which is being sprayed.

White Deer Park

Although Fox initially believes his job is over once they reach the park the others still look to him for help. Following Adder eating a frog, the squirrels being attacked, Kestrel accidentally eating Mrs Fieldmouse and Badger meeting Lady Blue, Toad suggests they seek Fox out for help. As a result, Fox goes with Badger, Owl and Kestrel to see the Great White Stag and land is set aside for the Farthing Animals. However, Fox is concerned there won't be enough of the larger animals to protect the smaller ones, as the Hares and Whistler are content to stay outside Farthing land. Confined to Farthing land by Scarface, Fox and Vixen struggle to hunt during the harsh winter and have to accept crayfish from Whistler. Fox, on hearing that Badger has disappeared and with Vixen's encouragement, goes to see the Stag and organises a search. While talking to the Stag, Fox is able to arrange for the deer to bring some hay to Farthing land, for the smaller animals to eat.

While out hunting during the winter, Fox is accused by the smaller animals of eating Mother Vole, who had in reality been killed by Scarface. The only witness to this was Weasel, who had just been told off by Fox for making too much noise. Owl points out that Mother Vole should have been safe, but plants the idea that Fox might have done it. Although Weasel's intervention clears Fox, Owl insists that he has to do something about Scarface. Fox is reluctant at this point, claiming that fighting is not the answer.

When Badger returns from the Warden's house, Fox is silent during discussions about his old friend, but welcomes him back once Badger has come to his sense again. He is, however, dubious when Badger claims to have another suggestion. When Badger elaborates on his scavenging plan, Fox is more keen and he and Vixen raid a farm. They are in time to see the farmer shooting two blue foxes and are able to take the chickens dropped by the dead animals. Unfortunately, Scarface and his mate see this. The raids continue, and Fox and Vixen are seen carrying chickens again when the deer is shot by poachers in "New Enemies". This even is viewed by Fox as something to concern the Farthing animals, because the deer were kind enough to share hay with the smaller members of the group and so they are indebted to them. He suggests a watch be set up and it is Fox who alerts the Stag to the poacher's approach. When a deer is still killed, Fox realises something more must be done to stop the poachers. When choosing sentries, he insists that they need everyone, because the mice and voles are gone (presumably Mr Vole and Mr Fieldmouse died during the Winter). This also leads him to wonder where Weasel is. Due to the sentries, the deer are alerted early by Fox of the poachers arrival and he asks them to stand by. He then draws the poachers away from the stone circle onto a patch of melting ice. Although Scarface nearly ruins the plan, Fox successfully lures the poachers onto the ice and they fall through into the water. Fox is made even happier when Vixen tells him she is going to have cubs.

Fox finally calls a halt to the emergency raids on the farm when Whistler and Kestrel both tell him of successful hunting and fishing. Unfortunately, he forgets to inform Owl. He then feels guilty when a blue fox is killed in retribution by the poachers and nearly goes to get himself killed. Vixen prevents him from doing this, reminding him of his responsibility to her and her cubs.

Fox and Vixen have four cubs Bold, Friendly, Charmer and Dreamer.

Fox had one grandchild (Plucky) from Bold, who died before Plucky's birth. Dreamer also dies in the course of series two, leaving Fox and Vixen with only two cubs.