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Apple TV+ Announces ‘Shape Island’ Stop-Motion Kids’ Series

Coming January 20, the new animated show, based on the best-selling picture books by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, follows the silly adventures of Square, Circle, and Triangle; also announced, ‘Helpsters’ Season 3 returns this Friday with all-new episodes.

Apple TV+ announced the all-new stop-motion kids’ series Shape Island, based on the best-selling trilogy of “Shapes” picture books by Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, premiering worldwide on January 20. The show features the voices of Yvette Nicole Brown (Disenchanted), Harvey Guillen (What We Do in the Shadows), Scott Adsit (30 Rock), and Gideon Adlon (Blockers).

The animated series invites viewers to join serious Square, intrepid Circle, and tricky Triangle on their silly adventures as they dig up some fun, search for answers and build on their friendship - all while learning how to navigate each other’s differences. Shape Island shows kids that friendship can take many shapes.

Shape Island is co-created by book authors Barnett and Klassen, who serve as executive producers alongside Emmy Award-winning Bix Pix Entertainment’s Kelli Bixler and Drew Hodges (Tumble Leaf). In addition, Ryan Pequin serves as co-executive producer and head writer.

Also announced is the return of Helpsters, with all-new Season 3 episodes debuting on January 6. The series boasts an impressive lineup of guest stars, including Emmy Award winner Andrea Martin (Evil); Emmy Award winner John Oliver (Last Week Tonight with John Oliver); Emmy Award nominee Tami Sagher (Search Party); Nathan Lee Graham (Zoolander); Mario Cantone (And Just Like That); Grammy Award nominee Rebecca Naomi Jones (Genius); Johnathan Fernandez (Gossip Girl); Eugene Cordero (Loki); Maulik Pancholy (Only Murders in the Building); Sunita Mani (Spirited); Emmy Award nominee Ikechukwu Ufomadu (ZIWE); Emmy Award and Grammy Award nominee Margaret Cho (Fire Island); Grammy Award nominee Alex Newell (Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist); Rebecca Henderson (Russian Doll); Grammy Award and Tony Award nominee Ephraim Sykes (Ain’t Too Proud); Emmy Award nominee Jackie Hoffman (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery); Danny Pudi (Mythic Quest); and Shannon Devido (Difficult People), as well as musical guests Grammy Award nominee Blood Orange, Blanco Brown, Jensen McRae, and Grammy Award nominee Syd.

The animated series follows Cody and the Helpsters, a team of vibrant monsters who love to solve problems. Whether planning a party, climbing a mountain, or mastering a magic trick, the Helpsters can figure anything out—because everything starts with a plan.

The recipient of a Parents’ Choice Gold Medal Award and Common Sense Media Award, Helpsters teaches young viewers lessons in pre-coding skills and inspires self-confidence, collaboration, and effective communication. Emmy Award winner and Parents’ Choice Gold Medal winner Tim McKeon (Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends: Destination Imagination, Odd Squad) is the creator and showrunner. McKeon; Benjamin Lehmann; Adam Peltzman; Eileen Braun; and Sesame Workshop’s executive vice president of Creative and Production, Kay Wilson Stallings, are executive producers.

Apple TV+’s slate of original series and films for kids and families includes BAFTA Award-winning El Deafo; Lovely Little Farm; Duck & Goose; Pinecone & Pony; Emmy Award-winning Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock and Harriet the Spy from The Jim Henson Company, Peabody and Emmy Award-winning series Stillwater, Helpsters from Sesame Workshop, Wolfboy and the Everything Factory from Joseph Gordon-Levitt, HITRECORD and Bento Box Entertainment, Sago Mini Friends, Hello, Jack! The Kindness Show from Jack McBrayer and Angela C. Santomero, Snoopy in Space, The Snoopy Show, and Get Rolling with Otis.

Also included are specials from Peanuts and WildBrain, including It’s the Small Things, Charlie Brown, Lucy’s School, To Mom (and Dad), With Love, Emmy Award-winning Who Are You, Charlie Brown? and For Auld Lang Syne, and Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth, the Daytime Emmy Award-winning television event based on the New York Times best-selling book and TIME Best Book of the Year by Oliver Jeffers.

Apple TV+’s offerings include the animated adventure film Luck from Apple Original Films and Skydance Animation and the Academy Award-nominated animated film Wolfwalkers.

Source: Apple TV+

Debbie Diamond Sarto's picture

Debbie Diamond Sarto is news editor at Animation World Network.