Duckling has left his home after being bullied by his classmates and finds himself in the dangerous Woods with a strange new friend. You may think you're familiar with the story of The Ugly Duckling. We bet you've never heard Hans Christian Andersen's timeless fairytale this way before.
In this new audio drama based on the classic story, The Ugly Duckling goes on a kaleidoscopic adventure through not just his own story, but five more H.C. Andersen fairytales. As he journeys from realm to realm, our feathered hero encounters comedy, adventure, danger, mystery, and enduring lessons about self-acceptance and the power of friendship.
Tune in to this six-part series and find out if our Duckling can find somewhere in the wide world of fairytales where he can truly belong.
Finally learning the truth about what he really is, the Ugly Duckling is desperate to find others of his own kind. However, before he can fly off into the sunset, he and his friends must help a young local win the hand of Crown Princess Anna. As they do that, deep down, the Duckling has to ask himself if he's really ready to plunge into the unknown.
12 Aug 2026
The Little Mermaid
The Ugly Duckling and Carl arrive at something they haven't encountered in their travels: the seashore. In short order, they stumble upon a poor, defenseless damsel in distress. As they try to offer some assistance, however, they soon find themselves embroiled in a complicated battle of wits against an opponent far more dangerous than anything they've faced before.
5 Aug 2026
The Princess and the Pea
Still reeling from the events of their previous adventure, our heroes arrive in a new realm. Or... is it? As Carl grows increasingly agitated by their surroundings, the Duckling suspects they may have arrived in a land his travelling companion already knows. Could this be a chance to finally get the answer to some long-standing mysteries about his enigmatic young friend?
29 Jul 2026
The Little Match Girl
The Ugly Duckling and Carl find themselves transported to a new realm: a poor little mining town gripped by a bitterly freezing winter storm. As the two look for accommodations, the Duckling makes an unexpected connection with a local matchstick seller. But as the blizzard grows stronger and more dangerous, our avian hero has to decide if he's willing to take a desperate risk to help his new friend.
21 Jul 2026
The Emperor's New Clothes
The Ugly Duckling and Carl arrive in a new land, and the young bird gets his first taste of the big city. But there's something odd about the place they've arrived at, as everything seems to revolve around the whims of its vain and tyrannical ruler. Even worse, when they need money for a place to stay, our stalwart heroes end up working directly under the mad king himself.
15 Jul 2026
The Ugly Duckling
Life is tough for our young Duckling. No matter what he does or how hard he tries, he just doesn't fit in with the other animals at the farm. As he desperately tries to pass his duck exams, the young bird soon finds himself needing to take a long, hard look at himself... and possibly making the most of an unexpected opportunity.
19 Jun 2026
Trailer
Enjoy a trailer of this six-part tale.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Contact Once Upon A Duck
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Once Upon A Duck?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
