If you grew up with the little white books by Beatrix Potter, you probably remember Peter. He’s the star. The rebel in the blue jacket. But honestly? Benjamin from Peter Rabbit—officially Benjamin Bunny—is the real MVP of the sequel, even if he’s a bit of a disaster.
Most people think of Benjamin as just the "sidekick." That’s a mistake. While Peter is famous for being impulsive and getting stuck in fences, Benjamin is the one with the plan. Sorta. He’s the brave (and slightly dim-witted) cousin who decides that "hey, we should definitely go back to the place where you almost died to get your shoes back."
That's peak cousin energy right there.
Who exactly is Benjamin Bunny?
Benjamin is Peter’s first cousin. His dad is Old Mr. Benjamin Bunny (who is basically the terrifying uncle we all have), and his aunt is Mrs. Rabbit. Unlike Peter, who lives in a state of perpetual anxiety after his first run-in with Mr. McGregor, Benjamin is chill. Too chill.
In the 1904 book The Tale of Benjamin Bunny, he shows up wearing a pair of clogs and a little brown coat. He finds Peter shivering in a red pocket-handkerchief because Peter lost all his clothes while being chased. Benjamin’s reaction isn't to say "wow, glad you're alive." It’s basically: "You look ridiculous. Let’s go get your clothes back."
The personality of a risk-taker
Benjamin is the "enabler" in the relationship.
- Confidence: He doesn't fear Mr. McGregor. He knows the McGregors are out because he saw them leave in their gig.
- Style: He’s the one who tries on the giant Tam o' Shanter hat (it doesn't fit).
- Practicality: He decides they shouldn't just leave with the clothes; they should steal some onions for Peter's mom.
He’s the kind of friend who convinces you to go to a party you’re too tired for, and then you both end up stuck in a basement for five hours.
The McGregor’s Garden Heist: What really happened
The plot of Benjamin’s breakout book is basically a low-stakes heist movie. Peter is terrified. He’s hearing noises everywhere. Benjamin, meanwhile, is casually strolling around eating lettuce. He’s been here before with his dad on Sundays. This is his turf.
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But Benjamin’s confidence is his undoing. He insists they can't go back out the way they came because they have a giant bundle of onions. He leads Peter toward a basket.
And then... the cat.
They spend five hours trapped under that basket while a cat sits on top of it. Five hours! Can you imagine the smell of raw onions and rabbit fear? It’s arguably the most tense moment in the early Potter-verse.
Enter Old Mr. Bunny
This is where the story gets gritty. In modern kids' movies, the dad would show up and give a speech about "feelings." Not in 1904. Benjamin’s dad, Old Mr. Bunny, hops over the wall, smokes a pipe of "rabbit tobacco" (which was actually lavender, fun fact), and literally kicks the cat into the greenhouse.
Then he whips Benjamin and Peter with a switch.
Beatrix Potter didn't sugarcoat 19th-century parenting. Benjamin gets rescued, but he pays for it.
Why Beatrix Potter based him on a real rabbit
Beatrix Potter wasn't just making these characters up. She was a scientist and an illustrator who spent her life obsessed with animals. Benjamin Bouncer was her real-life pet rabbit.
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She used to take Benjamin Bouncer on walks on a lead. Seriously. She’d take him on vacation to Scotland. She wrote that he liked buttered toast and would sit by the fire like a cat. He was her "artist's model" before Peter Rabbit even existed.
When Benjamin Bouncer died, she was devastated. But his spirit lived on in the character. This is why the illustrations feel so real—she knew exactly how a rabbit's ears twitch when they’re nervous or how they look when they’re stuffed full of stolen lettuce.
The "Rabbit Tobacco" Mystery
If you read the original books, you'll see references to "rabbit tobacco." No, Benjamin wasn't smoking Marlboros. Potter was a fan of the Uncle Remus stories by Joel Chandler Harris. She borrowed the term "rabbit tobacco" from him.
In the world of Peter Rabbit, it’s actually lavender. Mrs. Rabbit sells it to make a living. It’s one of those weird, tiny details that makes the world feel lived-in. Benjamin’s dad is often seen with a pipe, which adds to his "tough guy" persona compared to the more domestic Mrs. Rabbit.
Benjamin as an adult: The Flopsy Bunnies
A lot of people forget that Benjamin grows up. He eventually marries Peter's sister, Flopsy. They have a massive family known as the "Flopsy Bunnies."
If you thought Benjamin was a mess as a kid, he’s even more of a "distracted dad" as an adult. He accidentally lets his kids get kidnapped by Mr. McGregor because they all fell asleep after eating too much lettuce. (Lettuce has a "soporific" effect, according to Potter—basically, it makes rabbits high and sleepy).
Once again, Benjamin’s love for food almost gets his entire bloodline turned into a pie. He’s consistent, if nothing else.
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Evolution in Modern Media
In the newer CGI movies and TV shows, Benjamin has changed quite a bit.
- The 2018 Movie: He’s voiced by Colin Moody. He’s still the loyal cousin, but he’s often the "voice of reason" that Peter ignores.
- The TV Series: He wears a green hat (a nod to the Tam o' Shanter from the books) and is much more of a "scaredy-cat" character.
Purists usually hate the movie versions because they turn the rabbits into action heroes, but the core dynamic stays: Peter leads, and Benjamin follows, usually into a world of trouble.
Why we still care about this bunny
Benjamin Bunny represents that specific type of childhood friend. He’s the one who isn't afraid of the rules, not because he’s a rebel, but because he just doesn't think they apply to him. He’s clumsy, he’s overconfident, and he’s incredibly loyal.
He is the reason Peter gets his clothes back. Without Benjamin, Peter would have spent the rest of his life shivering in a handkerchief.
Actionable Takeaways for Potter Fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into the lore of Benjamin from Peter Rabbit, here is how to do it right:
- Read the original text: Skip the "inspired by" books. Get a copy of the 1904 The Tale of Benjamin Bunny. The language is weirdly sophisticated for a kids' book.
- Look at the backgrounds: Potter painted the backgrounds of the garden based on Fawe Park in the Lake District. If you ever visit the UK, you can see the actual walls Benjamin hopped over.
- Notice the "Clogs": In the illustrations, Benjamin wears wooden clogs. This was Potter’s way of showing he was a "country" rabbit compared to Peter’s more "proper" blue jacket.
- Identify the plants: Potter was a botanist. When Benjamin is eating a "leaf of lettuce," it’s drawn with scientific accuracy. You can actually use her books as a (very basic) garden guide.
Benjamin isn't just a sidekick. He’s the catalyst. He’s the reason the story moves forward. Next time you see a rabbit in a green hat, remember: he’s probably just looking for some onions and a bit of trouble.
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