Press release from Sticky Pictures:
Australian production hot house Sticky Pictures and content producer Red Kite Animations, a subsidiary of global media enterprise August Media Holdings, announced today that the new series of Dennis and Gnasher has kicked off production. Scheduled for delivery in mid 2013, the new series (52x12 / 26 X 24) which sees a renewal of the successful partnership with rights owner DC Thomson, is based on the much-loved characters from favourite comic ‘The Beano’, which celebrates its 75th anniversary in July 2013.
The co-production between Red Kite Animations and Australia’s Sticky Pictures has been commissioned by CBBC and the Nine Network and will be produced by Sueann Smith for Red Kite Animations and Jane Schneider and Stu Connolly for Sticky Pictures.
‘The Beano’, published weekly by Scotland-based publisher, DC Thomson, is a British cultural icon, influencing far beyond the traditional comic world. Dennis the Menace, who first appeared in March 1951, is the longest-running strip in the weekly comic. Dennis is the biggest menace in Beanotown, always on the hunt for fun and mischief with his loyal companion Gnasher. Together with their best friends Curly and Pie Face, Dennis and Gnasher believe the world is their oyster and much to the dismay of Beanotown’s wider community; a place where they often cause mayhem and disorder.
Donna Andrews, CEO and Partner, Sticky Pictures Pty Ltd said “Sticky Pictures is thrilled to reunite with DC Thomson and Red Kite Animations to produce a new series of Dennis & Gnasher for the Nine Network and CBBC. Dennis and Gnasher has resonated with children and families around the world and we are excited to be a part of this continuing grand adventure”
Jo Rooney, Executive Producer, Nine Network said “Nine Network is excited about the return of Dennis and Gnasher. The previous series has been a great success for us and we're pleased to be working with Sticky Pictures, Red Kite Animations and DCT Thomson again on such a fabulous property."
Mike Stirling, Editor-in-chief for The Beano/BeanoMax said: “Despite over 60 years at the top, the world’s greatest menace continues to appeal to children of all ages, throughout the world. With another series of the successful animated show, our weekly and monthly comics, best-selling Annual, Beano.com website and social media platforms, more children than ever can experience Beanotown. We look forward to working with Red Kite Animations and Sticky Pictures on continuing what Dennis might say, has been an awesome partnership!”
Ken Anderson, Executive Director & Chief Creative Officer of August Media Holdings said: “We are proud to be bringing these classic comic strip characters back to the screen. Producing the new series is a testament to the popularity of the characters and we are confident that the series will create what we hope is a whole new generation of Dennis and Gnasher fans”.
Melanie Halsall Executive Producer, CBBC said "We're delighted that Dennis and Gnasher is returning to CBBC. It's a great show with fantastic characters and we are sure that this series is going to be bigger, better and more menacing than ever before."
The news of another series comes hot on the heels of the announcement of the launch of the Beano app, through Apple’s Newsstand service, that enables readers to access an enhanced version of the weekly comic on iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. The free app can be downloaded from the Appstore and comes with free versions of an enhanced version of the weekly comic for download, as well as the opportunity to purchase a digital subscription or purchase single copies. The app has already been downloaded by tens of thousands since launch in December 2011.