Aardman Spins Off Timmy

files/pictures/picture-35.jpgAardman is making its foray into the preschool market, unveiling its brand new stop-motion animated series TIMMY at MIPCOM. The 52x10 series has already been pre-bought by CBeebies in the U.K., and Aardman International is looking to secure further worldwide pre-sale deals at the market.

Currently in preproduction, TIMMY is scheduled for transmission in 2009. The character designs for TIMMY are based on sketches by Academy Award-winning Nick Park. Timmy made his first television appearance in Aardman's hit animated series SHAUN THE SHEEP, which has racked up television sales and licensing deals in over 150 territories and has won several prestigious accolades, including the Cristal Award for Best TV Production at the Annecy Animated Film Festival earlier this year.

Timmy, age 3 (in sheep years), is adorable, but he's a little lamb with a lot to learn. Each episode will follow a day in the life of Timmy, as he learns something about himself and all his friends -- an assortment of bright young animals, some farmyard, some domestic, some wild.

Aardman's Jackie Cockle is Creative Producer and Supervising Director, and Miles Bullough is Exec Producer.

Cockle says, "Pre-schoolers around the world will be able to identify with Timmy as he learns universal lessons about himself, his friends and the world around him. Timmy's world is set over the hill and down the lane from Shaun's Farm and is a bright, colorful, stylized world with its own unique look sitting alongside Shaun's world. We're delighted that CBeebies has already acquired Timmy and we are hopeful that other broadcasters will soon be on board."