Production to begin this month on new tween
drama based on Enid Blyton
novels
HALIFAX and LONDON, July
2, 2019 /CNW/ - DHX Media (or the "Company") (TSX: DHX,
NASDAQ: DHXM) and King Bert Productions (Sick Note, The
Midnight Gang, The Queen and I) are pleased to announce
that the new live-action series, Malory Towers, has been
greenlit by CBBC, the BBC's channel for children aged 6-12, and DHX
Television's Family Channel. Malory Towers is based on the
iconic book series of the same name by Enid
Blyton and follows 12-year-old Darrell Rivers as she leaves home for the first
time to attend an all-girls' boarding school. Principal photography
on Malory Towers begins this month in Toronto, Canada, and will shift to the UK in
September 2019. The series is
expected to premiere on CBBC and Family Channel in 2020.
Cheryl Taylor, Head of Content
for BBC Children's, said: "Malory Towers set the template
for popular British boarding school stories and we're delighted to
bring this classic title to CBBC. Darrell
Rivers is a truly iconic character – sparky, independent and
a fierce warrior against injustice. She shone a bright light on the
potential of all girls at a time when expectations were very
limited. The books have inspired generations of young readers and
we can't wait for our audience to meet Darrell and her
friends."
Jo Sargent, Executive Producer at
King Bert, commented: "It has been a pleasure working with Enid
Blyton Entertainment over the past 12 months and King Bert is now
delighted to be on board with DHX Media in order to bring this
classic series to life. Enid
Blyton's Malory Towers universe is the perfect
project for King Bert and the perfect show for today with such
empowering female leads at the helm. Malory Towers is an
adored series and we cannot wait for a new generation of audience
to be equally inspired by its charms."
Michael Goldsmith, Executive
Producer at DHX Media, added: "We're thrilled to add Malory
Towers to our strong slate of live-action shows for kids and
families. The enduring popularity of Enid
Blyton's novels illustrates that her stories are as relevant
today as the day they were written. David Walliams' team at King
Bert Productions have done such wonderful work with children's
shows and period pieces that we can't think of better collaborators
to bring these novels to life on screen. With CBBC and Family
Channel on board, we're confident young viewers and families are
going to love Malory Towers."
Based on the hugely popular book series of the same name by
Enid Blyton, Malory Towers,
is a 13 x 30' live-action series following 12-year-old Darrell Rivers as she leaves home for the first
time to attend an all-girls' boarding school. Set in the 1940s on
the sun-drenched cliffs of the Cornish coast, Malory Towers
explores this nostalgic world of midnight feasts, lacrosse, pranks,
and lasting friendships. For a contemporary audience, the show is
both aspirational and inspirational, telling the story of universal
experiences include shifting cliques, FOMO, bullying, crushes, peer
pressure, and self-doubt. The girls keep an eye on each other and,
like a family, are forever connected by their shared
experiences.
An official Canada-UK treaty co-production, Malory Towers
is adapted for television by Rachel
Flowerday and Sasha Hails.
Executive producers for DHX Media are Josh
Scherba, Anne Loi and
Michael Goldsmith, with Jo Sargent serving as executive producer for
King Bert Productions. The series is produced by King Bert's
Grainne McNamara and DHX Media's
Angela Boudreault and will be
directed by Rebecca Rycroft
(Evermore Chronicles, So Awkward) and Bruce McDonald (Creeped Out,
Heartland, Dark Matter).
DHX Media is international distributor for Malory Towers
outside of the UK. Malory Towers was commissioned by BBC
Children's Head of Content Cheryl Taylor, and will be executive
produced for the BBC by Amy
Buscombe. The rights were acquired from Karen Lawler at Hachette Children's Group,
owners of Enid Blyton Entertainment and publisher of Malory
Towers.
About DHX Media
DHX Media Ltd. (TSX: DHX, NASDAQ:
DHXM) is a global children's content and brands company, recognized
for such high-profile properties as Peanuts, Teletubbies,
Strawberry Shortcake, Caillou, Inspector Gadget, and the
acclaimed Degrassi franchise. One of the world's foremost
producers of children's shows, DHX Media owns the world's largest
independent library of children's content, at 13,000 half-hours. It
licenses its content to broadcasters and streaming services
worldwide and generates royalties through its global consumer
products program. Through its subsidiary, WildBrain, DHX Media
operates one of the largest networks of children's channels on
YouTube. Headquartered in Canada,
DHX Media has offices worldwide. Visit us at
www.dhxmedia.com.
About King Bert Productions
King Bert is an
international television and film production company which is
committed to producing excellence in programming across comedy,
entertainment and drama. King Bert have development deals across a
range of projects with UK and international broadcasters including
BBC, Channel 4, Disney and Sky. King Bert's key focus is to deliver
original comedy, outstanding drama and a unique portfolio of
entertaining programming across global markets.
About BBC Children's
BBC Children's is
a bold, multi-genre, public service offering that has earned
the unswerving trust of British families. It is home to the
UK's most popular children's channels, CBBC and CBeebies,
delivering world-class, UK-produced children's programming across
all genres, including drama, comedy, factual and news. The
great majority of our experiences are produced in the UK as we aim
to reflect the diverse lives of our viewers - and give as many of
them as possible a voice across all our platforms. CBBC is the
go-to destination for children 6-12 to enjoy inspiring and enabling
TV and Interactive experiences across all platforms.
About Family Channel
Family Channel offers the best in
family television entertainment in a premium, high-definition,
multiplatform environment. Dedicated to celebrating family life and
providing opportunities for the whole family to gather and watch
together, Family airs a unique mix of top-rated Canadian and
acquired series, movies and specials. Family Channel subscribers
have access to the Family Channel App, Family OnDemand and Family
Online at no additional cost, to see hit movies and series when
they want them, where they want them. Visit us at Family.ca.
About Hachette Children's Group
Hachette Children's
Group is one of the largest children's publishers in the UK, with
an excellent track record in creating bestselling and award-winning
books for children. The Group aims to cater for every child,
with baby and pre-school books, picture books, gift, fiction,
non-fiction, series fiction, books for the school and library
market and licensed publishing and comprises the imprints Hodder
Children's Books, Orchard Books, Orion Children's Books, Little,
Brown Books for Young Readers, Quercus Children's Books,
Pat-a-Cake, Wren & Rook, Franklin
Watts and Wayland Books.
The Group publishes diverse authors, illustrators, series and
licenses including: Cressida Cowell,
Kes Gray, Jim Field, Jessica
Townsend, Onjali Raúf, Kiran
Millwood Hargrave, Matthew
Syed, Bryony Gordon, David
Almond, Lauren Child,
Patrice Lawrence, Dermot O'Leary, Francesca Simon, Alex T.
Smith, Zanib Mian,
Nadiya Hussain, Giles Andreae, Piers
Torday, Rainbow Magic, Beast Quest and Pokémon.
Hachette Children's Group is also the publisher of author
Enid Blyton, and the owner of Enid
Blyton Entertainment.
hachettechildrens.co.uk @hachettekids
SOURCE Family Channel
