BBC Children’s and Education unveils its latest commissions packed with iconic characters, activities to inspire and home-grown storytelling for families of all ages to enjoy.
The world’s most famous potato is back keeping supermarkets safe from Evil Pea in Supertato for a third series of vegetable-based adventures. Joining the animated adventures for the first time is Zog, an adventure series with everyone’s favourite dragon and flying doctor team from iconic children’s author Julia Donaldson. Little ones can also enjoy a brand-new comedy series called The Football Fantastics, the energetic new show features young footballers at their weekend training sessions.
Returning to inspire the next generation of musicians, Andy and the Band – Rock Star School will get kids rocking out when the band takes over a school packed full of talented young musicians, singers and dancers. Older children can get creative with Get Arty, a brand-new art show for this generation to encourage and inspire budding young creatives to try new ways of exploring arts and crafts. Completing the stellar line up is series 13 of fan favourite The Dumping Ground based around a children’s home filmed in the North East.
Director of BBC Children’s and Education, Patricia Hidalgo says: “In a challenging market where investment in content for children’s television continues to drop globally, the BBC continues to be the biggest commissioners of content for this important audience. Fostering their development, curiosity and creativity whilst supporting British storytelling across the UK, this latest slate is the perfect example of our continued commitment to this brilliant industry and our young viewers.”
Supertato – Series 3
Supertato, the world’s strongest and bravest potato, is back for a brand-new, action-packed series. Based on the bestselling books by Sue Hendra and Paul Linnet, the series follows the adventures of the potato superhero and his fruit and veggie sidekicks – the Tato Team – as they thwart the dastardly plans of Evil Pea. Series three promises even more slapstick silliness and new characters including naughty pirate, Captain Pak Choi, a stunt Jalapeño and even Evil Pea’s parents. The fast-paced action is taken up a gear as Supertato gets his own Tatocar to help him save the Supermarket from Evil Pea’s increasingly ridiculous plans! Supertato is a co-production between BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions and BBC Children’s & Education and will be a 52 x 7’ series.
Zog
Meet the flying doctors: Zog the dragon, Sir Gadabout and Princess Pearl. This surprising trio work together to care for the weird and wonderful inhabitants of their fantastical world. Based on the award winning films ‘Zog’ and ‘Zog and the Flying Doctors’ and the books by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Magic Light Pictures presents an animated comedy adventure series of 52 x 11’ episodes for 4-6 year olds about caring for others, yourself and the amazing world around you.
The Football Fantastics
The Football Fantastics, a series of 10 x 14’ episodes, is an energetic and joyful live-action preschool comedy about six irrepressible children brought together by their weekend football activity group. Set in Yorkshire and produced by Strike, the children are led by a football mad coaching team and a nature loving groundskeeper who provide a fun and chaotic Saturday morning club for them to thrive at, even if things don’t always go to plan! On the sidelines shouting support are the eccentric parents who barrel into episodes bringing slapstick and visual humour as they create complications for the kids with their over the top enthusiasm or ridiculous mishaps. The show combines larger-than-life characters, exuberant songs, dynamic action and comedy galore in a way that will delight preschoolers – whether they’re football fans or not.
Get Arty
Get Arty is an original and funny ‘How To’ art series hosted by a charismatic, relatable, enthusiastic family and a hilariously deadpan animated paint brush called Bristles. Follow real people, of all ages, on a journey to learn as much as they can about art. A contemporary twist on a traditional art show, Get Arty features an engaging and warm family at its heart, highlighting art that’s both accessible and aspirational. The magazine format will include challenges for the whole family to take on together before judging each other’s efforts, we’ll visit artists around the UK to explain how they make their masterpieces and there will even be a Celebrity Draw Along where well-known celebrities demonstrate how to draw a unique picture for viewers to copy at home. Produced by Ranga Bee, the episodes will be 15 x 15’.
Andy and the Band – Rock Star School – Series 4
Andy and the Band’s world tour gets interrupted by a request to give a special teacher an Odd Socks send off. The band show up at Ramshackle school only to discover it’s about to be closed down but realise they can’t desert the awesome kids they meet there, so The Head of Education for All of Planet Earth gives them precisely 3 ¾ weeks to turn things around! Expect a cast of super-talented kids and guest star talent including Ricky Wilson. Young musical sensation, Nandi Bushell, also returns. Produced by Ninja Pig Productions, Andy and the Band – Rock Star School is 10 episodes (9 x 14’ plus 24’ bumper finale episode).
The Dumping Ground – Series 13
The Dumping Ground is never short on drama, always full of fun, and Season 13 has both in abundance. The series follows in the footsteps of multi-award-winning dramas The Story Of Tracy Beaker and Tracy Beaker Returns. Inspired by Jacqueline Wilson and set in a children’s home, it follows the lives of the diverse group of young people who live there, combining the anarchic activities of this alternative family with tough and emotional storylines. New for season 13, there will be four new young characters and even a very familiar face…The 10 x 28’ series is made by BBC Studios Kids & Family Productions.
