New episodes of BAFTA-winning animated preschool series, narrated by Michael Palin, will broadcast in 2019 on CBeebies.
International rights owner, Coolabi Group, today announced that a third new season of Clangers is in production and will broadcast on CBeebies in 2019, as part of the show’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
The BAFTA-winning stop-motion animated preschool series, which returned to the BBC in 2015 to huge acclaim 46 years after its initial debut, is narrated by Michael Palin, and follows a family of loveable, pink, mouse-like creatures who live on a little blue planet in outer space. The show is a co-production from Coolabi Group, Smallfilms, CBeebies and BBC Studios.
The 26 x 11’ order will take the total number of new episodes to 104 -- a special episode will celebrate the landmark year of 1969, paying homage to the original series’ moon landing episode. This historic event is also celebrating 50 years in 2019.
Series three follows the Clangers on a host of adventures, with friends old and new, and sees the return of the Eggbots, the Wols setting up their own radio station, a supernova above the Clangers’ planet and a happy event in the life of the Skymoos.
Jeremy Banks, CEO Coolabi Group, comments, “Clangers is a wonderful family show that has an enduring magic and charm which can be enjoyed by both children and their parents. We are looking forward to marking this fiftieth anniversary with the announcement of the new series and special episodes that the talented team have worked so hard to create for this celebratory year.”
“We are very much looking forward to welcoming new episodes of Clangers to CBeebies in 2019,” Jackie Edwards, head of BBC children’s acquisitions & independent animation, noted. “They show us the value of community and of being kind to one another, their positivity and optimism are always an inspiration for children and adults alike. Their message across fifty years remains relevant and pertinent.”
Kay Benbow, who joins the production this year as script editor, brings to the role her incredible experience with over 20 years in children’s programming, most recently as controller of CBeebies.
This past July, Peter Firmin, one of the creators of the original series, sadly died after a short illness. The new series remains faithful to the original series’ creative vision and his dedication to the authenticity of the knitted characters. Daniel Postgate (son of series co-creator Oliver Postgate) continues his role as executive producer and scriptwriter for the new series.
Series three will once again be made at Factory’s studio in Altrincham (Scream Street, Newzoids) and Grammy-award winner John du Prez (Spamalot) will compose the score. Clangers is co-produced by CBeebies, Coolabi Group and Smallfilms with BBC Worldwide for its international channels. BBC Worldwide is also the international distributor for the show.
Source: Coolabi Group
