Disney begins production on season two of Henry Hugglemonster.
London, UK --
Disney Europe Middle East & Africa announced the start of production for a second series of hit preschool animation, Henry Hugglemonster. Twice Oscar-nominated, Brown Bag Films in Dublin, returns to produce the second series under the guidance of Disney’s London-based production hub.
Nancy Kanter, Executive Vice President Original Programming and General Manager, Disney Junior Worldwide comments, “The incredibly talented team at Brown Bag Films has created an engaging series for Disney Junior that delivers everyday life lessons and models positive family and community relationships that are relatable to audiences around the world. A second season will build off of this terrific start and create even more connections with kids and families.”
Beth Gardiner, Vice President, Production, Disney Junior, EMEA leads a Disney team working closely with Brown Bag Films to deliver the 52 x 11 minute second series with inspiration again coming from Ireland’s Children’s Literature Laureate, Niamh Sharkey, author of I’m a Happy Hugglewug, the illustrated storybook that the original series was based on.
Beth Gardiner, comments: “We are thrilled to be reunited with our ‘roarsome’ Brown Bag crew, and look forward to more stories about Henry Hugglemonster and his monstery family."
Cathal Gaffney, Executive Producer & CEO, Brown Bag Films adds, "This second series sees Brown Bag Films create a further 30 jobs bringing us to 150 full time staff in our Dublin studio. Knowing that children around the world continue to watch and love Henry Hugglemonster, which was originated, designed and animated in Ireland makes us all very proud."
Each 11 minute episode transports preschoolers into the world of Henry Hugglemonster as he guides the audience through the ups and downs of being part of a loving, bustling monster family. The series is directed by Emmy Award winning director Norton Virgien (Rugrats, Doc McStuffins), the Story Editor is Robert Vargas (Zack and Quack) and the series is produced by Colm Tyrrell and Gillian Higgins (Doc McStuffins, Octonauts). Henry Hugglemonster is set to return to screens from Autumn 2014, and the series will air on Disney Junior in more than 150 countries worldwide.
The first series of Henry Hugglemonster featured a stellar guest-voice cast including Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, and award-winning actors Brenda Blethyn, OBE, and Brian Blessed. Since its launch in February 2013, the series has reached over 5 million viewers in the UK alone.
The show is produced by Disney’s London based production hub which drives the investment in, and development of, animation and live action content outside North America, for both European and global distribution. It has already achieved great success with series such as Jungle Junction and Art Attack (Disney Junior), Violetta (a co-production with Latin America for Disney Channel)and Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja ( Disney XD).
Source: Disney Europe Middle East & Africa
Formerly Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network, Jennifer Wolfe has worked in the Media & Entertainment industry as a writer and PR professional since 2003.
