CBBC has acquired the UK broadcast rights to the original animated series Pet Squad (52 x 11’), produced by leading kids indie Darrall Macqueen.
CBBC has acquired the UK broadcast rights to the original animated series Pet Squad (52 x 11’), produced by leading kids indie Darrall Macqueen.
The series, created by writer and comedian Caimh McDonnell, is a three way co-production between Darrall Macqueen, Inspidea (Malaysia) and March Entertainment (Canada).
Pet Squad follows the adventures of Dodge the beagle, Sheeba the cat and Bingo the guinea pig. Three ordinary household pets that are transformed by Professor Eureka’s ‘Superiser’ into part time superheroes. Their mission? To protect Pet Town from super bad Mother Goose, her Duck henchmen and her gang of evil critters.
Billy Macqueen, Joint Managing Director, Darrall Macqueen says, “This acquisition further cements the strong and fruitful relationship between Darrall Macqueen and CBBC, first established with Smile and Bear Behaving Badly. Pet Squad is a great mix of comedy and pace – an action adventure reminiscent of 80s favourites like Top Cat and Scooby Doo. I’ve no doubt it will appeal to British and international audiences alike.”
Sarah Muller, Head of Acquisitions and Drama Development and Executive Producer for CBBC says, “I’ve really enjoyed working with Darrall Macqueen on Pet Squad – their unique blend of comedy and fun has lent itself to the show brilliantly, giving us something that feels modern and fresh, but with a distinctive retro feel.”
Pet Squad is a Darrall Macqueen co-production with Inspidea and March Entertainment. It is written by Caimh McDonnell, directed by Jon Izen and produced by Fiona Robinson and Maddy Darrall. Billy Macqueen will executive produce for Darrall Macqueen with Sarah Muller for CBBC, Dan Hawes for March Entertainment, CJ See and Andrew Ooi for Inspidea and Regis Brown for MDeC. The series was acquired for CBBC by Jesse Cleverly, Head of Acquisitions.
Sony Pictures Television holds the distribution rights to Pet Squad worldwide, excluding the UK, Malaysia and Canada.
About Darrall MacqueenDarrall Macqueen is a fully independent UK-based production company dedicated to producing high quality children’s and pre-school entertainment for major broadcasters. The company is currently in production on two brand new properties, developed in line with the company’s strategy to push further into international markets.
Darrall Macqueen, formed in 2000 by former Disney execs Maddy Darrall and Billy Macqueen, has a proven track record of devising and producing long-running children’s properties. 2009 saw Darrall Macqueen deliver over 65 hours of programming for UK broadcasters including CBBC, Turner’s Cartoonito and CITV.
The company’s most successful productions to-date include the double BAFTA winning Smile (CBBC), which ran for over six years and helped launch the careers of Fearne Cotton and Reggie Yates; and Bear Behaving Badly (CBBC); and The Fluffy Club (CITV). Darrall Macqueen was named Production Company of the Year at the Children’s BAFTAs in 2006. http://www.darrallmacqueen.com
Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
