The animated world of Flushed Away, a collaboration between Aardman Animations and DreamWorks, has experienced a massive resurgence in popularity, especially with the film finding a new audience on streaming platforms like Netflix in recent years. Today, we're diving deep into the characters that made this 2006 adventure a cult classic: the rats of the London sewer system. This deep-dive, as of the current date, December 17, 2025, explores the key players, their surprising voice actors, and the lasting legacy of the movie.
The film, which marked a significant shift for Aardman as their first full computer-generated imagery (CGI) feature, introduced us to a memorable cast of rodents. From the posh, pampered pet to the street-smart scavenger, these characters are the heart of a story about finding adventure and belonging in the unlikeliest of places—the subterranean city beneath Kensington.
The Complete Biography of the Main Rats
The core of the Flushed Away narrative rests on the shoulders of two very different rats and the villains they encounter. Below is a detailed profile of the most significant rat entities in the film, including their professional voice actors.
- Roderick "Roddy" St. James
- Species: Fancy Rat (Pet Rat)
- Residence: A luxurious Kensington penthouse (initially), then the sewer city.
- Role: The pampered protagonist who is accidentally flushed down the toilet and must adapt to the sewer world.
- Voice Actor: Hugh Jackman
- Key Trait: Initially lonely and sheltered, he transforms into a heroic, resourceful partner to Rita.
- Rita Malone
- Species: Scavenger Rat (Sewer Rat)
- Residence: The sewer city, aboard her boat, The Jammy Dodger.
- Role: The street-smart, tough-as-nails captain and scavenger who becomes Roddy's reluctant ally and love interest.
- Voice Actor: Kate Winslet
- Key Trait: Highly resourceful, independent, and fiercely protective of her large family.
- Sid
- Species: Sewer Rat
- Residence: The sewer, later Roddy's penthouse.
- Role: The overweight, boisterous, and crude sewer rat who invades Roddy's home and flushes him down the toilet, kicking off the entire adventure.
- Voice Actor: Shane Richie
- Key Trait: Gluttonous, unhygienic, and a catalyst for the plot.
- Spike
- Species: Sewer Rat
- Role: One of The Toad's two main hench-rats, known for his small stature, aggressive temperament, and sharp wit.
- Voice Actor: Andy Serkis
- Key Trait: The brains of the hench-duo, often providing the more sinister plans.
- Whitey
- Species: Albino Rat (Sewer Rat)
- Role: The other main hench-rat for The Toad, Spike's larger and less intelligent partner.
- Voice Actor: Bill Nighy
- Key Trait: Despite his intimidating size and albino appearance, he is often portrayed as the kinder, dumber half of the duo, sometimes showing remorse.
The Surprising Aardman-DreamWorks Legacy and Production Facts
Flushed Away holds a unique and crucial place in cinematic history, particularly for the two animation powerhouses that created it: Aardman Animations and DreamWorks Animation. The film was the third and, ultimately, the final co-production between the two studios, following the success of Chicken Run and Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.
This partnership's dissolution in 2007, shortly after the film's release, adds a layer of historical significance to the project.
Aardman's Digital Transformation: The CGI Rat
One of the most significant facts about Flushed Away is its production method. Aardman Animations is globally famous for its distinctive, charming stop-motion claymation, the style used for all their previous works.
However, due to the sheer amount of water and fluid effects required for a sewer-based story—a logistical nightmare for clay models—the studio made the monumental decision to switch to full CGI animation for the first time.
This transition was a massive undertaking, requiring Aardman to adapt its signature aesthetic to the digital realm. The result is a film that retains the classic Aardman look—the 'clay' fingerprints are subtly visible in the character designs—while achieving the complex water effects necessary for the plot.
Behind the Voices: Hollywood Stars as Sewer Rodents
The star power behind the rats is another reason for the film's enduring appeal. The casting choices were a brilliant mix of British and Australian talent, bringing gravitas and humor to the sewer city of Ratropolis.
- Hugh Jackman's Posh Rat: Roddy St. James was perfectly voiced by Australian actor Hugh Jackman. Jackman brought a mix of aristocratic charm and eventual heroic determination to the character.
- The Oscar Winner: Kate Winslet, an Academy Award-winning actress, lent her voice to the pragmatic and determined Rita Malone, providing a grounded, street-wise counterpoint to Roddy's naivety.
- The Blockbuster Duo: The hench-rats Spike and Whitey were voiced by the formidable British duo of Andy Serkis and Bill Nighy. Serkis (famous for Gollum) provided Spike's menacing, sharp voice, while Nighy (known for his eccentric roles) gave Whitey a softer, slightly dim-witted quality that made the villains surprisingly endearing.
The Enduring Buzz: Is a Flushed Away Sequel Finally Happening?
Despite the film's modest box office success and the subsequent end of the Aardman/DreamWorks partnership, fan demand for a sequel has never truly faded. The movie's recent popularity on various streaming services has reignited buzz online, leading to a constant stream of speculation and fan-made concepts for a follow-up, often titled Flushed Away Again or Flushed Away 2.
While no official, confirmed sequel has been announced by DreamWorks Animation or Aardman as of late 2025, the consistent fan interest highlights the lasting impact of the film's characters and world-building. The ending, where Roddy and Rita embark on a new life together in the sewer, leaves the door wide open for further adventures aboard The Jammy Dodger.
The concept of a sequel, which would explore Roddy's integration into the sewer community and further adventures with Rita, continues to be one of the most discussed "what ifs" in animated movie history. For now, fans must content themselves with re-watching the original and appreciating the unique charm of this final, groundbreaking chapter in the Aardman/DreamWorks collaboration.
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